Construction Technology Flashcards
1
Q
When would you use pile foundations?
A
In weak or water baring soil.
Where the structure is heavy.
2
Q
When would you use strip foundations?
A
In houses or buildings where the perimeter walls transfer load to the ground.
3
Q
What is substructure?
A
All elements of work that are undertaken below the damp proof course that provides the basis for the superstructure to be constructed upon.
Transmits the loads of the building to the ground.
4
Q
What is the external envelope?
A
The materials and components that form the external shell or enclosure of a building.
These may be load or non-load bearing.
5
Q
What are the Building Regulations?
A
Statutory instruments that set out the minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings.
Supported by the Approved Documents and other codes of practice.
6
Q
What are the approved documents?
A
A. Structure.
B. Fire safety.
C. Site preparation and damp proofing.
D. Toxic substances.
E. Sound proofing.
F. Ventilation.
G. Hygiene.
H. Drainage and waste disposal.
I. Not in use.
J. Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems.
K. Protection from falling, collision and impact.
L. Conservation of fuel and power.
M. Access to and use of buildings.
O. Overheating.
P. Electrical safety.
Q. Security in dwellings
R. Infrastructure for electronic communications
S. Infrastructure for electric charging vehicles
7
Q
What are British Standards?
A
Publications issued by the British Standards Institution prefixed BS.
They give recommended minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction practices.
8
Q
What are international standards?
A
Publications issued by the International Organisation for Standardisation – prefixed ISO.
They are compatible with and complement the British Standards.
9
Q
What is superstructure?
A
The structural components of a building constructed above ground level.
10
Q
What are the typical components of site investigations?
A
Their objective is to collect and record data to help with the design and construction process. This should include matters in relation to the site that may impact the development for example:-
Boundary hedges & fencing.
Existing trees.
Size, depth and location of services including gas, telephone, electricity, water & drains.
Existing buildings.
Ground water conditions.
Soil investigations.
Trial pit information.
11
Q
What is the purpose of soil investigations?
A
Their purpose is to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed works and determine adequate and economic foundation design.
The investigation should determine the potential difficulties associated with the ground conditions and assist with identifying a suitable foundation solution.
12
Q
What is a retained façade?
A
The facade of the building is retained whilst everything behind the front wall is demolished.
Allowances needs to be made for a temporary support structure and also cleaning & restoration works to the retained façade.
Retained facades are often required as a result of listed building requirements.
13
Q
What are temporary works?
A
Are needed to enable the permanent works to be built and are usually required for safety or access reasons.
Propping
Scaffolding
Formwork
Excavation support
14
Q
What is buildability?
A
Buildability is harnessing the contractor’s expertise and knowledge during the design stage to generate ideas for effective and efficient methods of construction.
15
Q
What are the benefits of off-site construction over in situ?
A
Safety - Hazards such as falling from height is more likely to happen on site.
Efficiency & quality - Construction takes place in a controlled environment.
Sustainability - Reduction in waste.
Speed - Shorter build time as factory work can run concurrently with on site works.
16
Q
What is a tower crane and what are some considerations during its
erection and operation?
A
A tower crane is a tall crane used for lifting objects into high places.
The boom allows a longer reach with 360° access.
You would usually use a smaller crane to erect a tower crane.
Weather conditions could prevent it from working, in particular high, strong winds.
17
Q
What is a scaffold?
A
Scaffold is a temporary working platform erected around the perimeter of a building or structure to provide a safe working place at a convenient height.
Scaffold is usually required for work 1.5m above ground level.
18
Q
What are hoists?
A
Designed for the vertical transportation of people and/or materials.
19
Q
What is shoring?
A
Shoring is a form of temporary support given to existing buildings.
Its purpose is to provide a precaution against damage or injury due to collapse of the structure.
20
Q
What are the main components of concrete?
A
Cement.
Aggregate (natural rock, crushed stone, gravel).
Water.
21
Q
What is a borehole?
A
A borehole can be used for soil investigation
Boreholes are the most suitable method of soil investigation when foundations are over 3m deep.
22
Q
What is a culvert?
A
A culvert is a tunnel-like structure that is constructed to allow water to flow under a road, railway or similar obstruction.
23
Q
What is the purpose of a drainage headwall?
A
A small retaining structure built at the inlet/outlet of a storm water drain.
They protect the end of the drain, as well as protecting the embankment from erosion.
24
Q
What is ground heave?
A
Usually associated with clay soil which swells when wet, causing upward movement of the ground.
25
What are some of the techniques available for ground improvement?
Vibro compaction
Vibro stone columns
Dynamic compaction
Dynamic replacement
26
What are the key factors the contractor should consider when excavating?
Nature of the soil and moisture content of the ground.
Method of excavation.
Are ground support systems required?
Proximity of existing buildings.
Depth of excavation.
Underground services and drainage.
27
Can you explain some of the techniques to waterproof a basement?
Tanking - Materials such as asphalt, polythene sheeting, bitumen etc are applied internally or externally to provide a continuous membrane to the slab and walls.
Drained cavity - Accepts that a small amount of water seepage will occur. Cavity walls are formed, the water seepage is collected and the cavity is drained and pumped away.
28
What is the purpose of a foundation?
To provide support for the structure, transferring their load to the ground to avoid excessive settlement.
29
What are the typical considerations when selcting the type and size of foundations?
The load of the building.
Nature and load bearing capacity of the ground.
Type of structure.
Cost.
Construction constraints.
30
What are the different types of foundation?
Strip foundation
Pile foundation
Raft foundation
Pad foundation
31
What is a raft foundation?
A continuous slab that extends over the entire footprint of the building.
Load of the building is spread over a larger area, thus reducing stress on the ground below.
32
What is a pad foundation?
Typically used to support individual columns, spreading the load to the ground below.
33
What are strip foundations?
In houses or buildings where the perimeter walls transfer load to the ground.
34
What are pile foundations?
A pile is a column that extends deep into the ground.
Typically used where the bearing capacity of the soil is poo.
35
When would you use pad foundations?
For lighter structures such as warehouses.
Wide span, light weight buildings.
36
When would you use raft foundations?
A raft can be used for lightly loaded buildings, or on soils with good bearing capacity.
37
What types of piles are you aware of?
Pre-Cast - Piles are and hammered into the ground. This is not often favoured due to the high noise levels associated with installation and the lack of flexibility in terms of depth required.
Sheet - A deep trench is excavated and concrete is poured in situ.
The piles can be used to form basement walls or act as retaining walls.
Bored - An auger is used to excavate the soil and then concrete is poured in once complete.
CFA - Are drilled and concreted in one continuous operation enabling much faster installation time than for bored piles.
Secant - Interlocking piles (male and female, often different diameters and hardness) are bored to provide a combination of foundations and basement walls. Free of gaps.
38
What are the main piling construction methods?
Bored
Driven
39
What are the main types of piles?
End bearing - the base of the pile transfers load through low bearing capacity soil to a strong stratum such as rock or very dense sand.
Friction - they bear on frictional resistance between their outer surface and the soil in contact.
40
What is the difference between bored vs. pre-cast (driven) piles?
Bored piles are defined when the process for removing the spoil to form the hole for the pile is carried out by a boring technique.
Pre-cast Concrete piles are generally used where soft soil deposits overlie firmer strata. These piles are usually driven using a drop or single action hammer.
41
What are retaining walls?
They act as an earth retaining structure for the whole or part of their heights.
They are used to support and retain soils laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides.
42
What are the advantages and disadvantages of driven piles?
Advantages:-
Piles can be pre-cast to the required spec.
Piles of any size, shape and length can be made in advance.
Fast, neat and clean installation.
Disadvantages:-
Requires heavy equipment.
Increased noise and vibrations.
Can be costly if piles are short.
43
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bored piles?
Advantages:-
Any size or shape can be formed on site.
No risk of damage upon delivery.
Reduced vibrations and noise.
Disadvantages:-
Significant spoil generated.
Reliance on multiple trades.
Do not improve the bearing capacity of the ground.
44
What is underpinning and why might it be required?
A method for repair and strengthening the foundations.
Used to:-
Stabilise foundations undergoing settlement.
Stabilise foundations that have moved.
To increase the load capacity of existing foundations.
To accommodate a new building, basement etc.
45
What are standard brick dimensions in the UK?
Standard bricks are 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm.
46
How many standard bricks per m2?
60 bricks per m2.
47
How many standard blocks per m2?
10 blocks per m2.
48
What are weep holes?
Small openings in the outer skin of the masonry.
Provide ventilation to the cavity and allow moisture to drain.
49
Can you name 2 types of brick bond?
English bond
Stretcher bond
50
What is a basement?
A storey constructed below ground level.
51
What are the 3 different types of basement construction?
Retaining wall and raft which consists of a slab raft foundation to serve as the basement floor that distributes the building load. The basement walls serve as the retaining walls.
Piled solution where the main superstructure loads are carried to the basement floor by columns and transmitted to the ground via pile caps and bearing piles. In this example the basement has numerous columns passing through it.
52
What is a curtain walling system?
Comprises a lightweight aluminium frame onto which glazed or opaque infill panels are fixed.
53
What is scabbling?
Scabbling utilises piston driven carbide tipped heads which impact the surface material at a rapid rate.
This pulverises concrete or brittle coatings and can be very effective in the removal of slightly bonded coatings or where the coatings are impossible to be removed by the shot blasting process.
54
What is a movement joint?
Designed to safely absorb the expansion and contraction of construction materials.
55
What is the difference between dead and live loads?
Dead loads are static forces that are relatively constant for an extended period of time i.e. immovable fixtures.
Live loads are dynamic forces from occupancy and intended use i.e. weight of people.
56
What is pre-tensioned concrete?
In pre tensioning, the reinforcement, tendons or cables, are stretched across the concrete formwork before the concrete is cast.
After the concrete is hardened, the cables are released.
57
What is post-tensioned concrete?
The concrete is cast around tubes or ducts that will contain the reinforcing cables.
One the concrete has been strengthened, the cables are fed through the ducts and put into tension using jacks.
58
Can you explain what reinforced concrete is?
A combination of concrete and reinforcements.
Made to use the compressive strength of concrete and tensile strength of steel at the same time.
59
Can you explain what a glulam beam is?
Glue laminated timber.
Made of multiple layers of solid wood bonded together with high strength adhesive.
60
What are the technical advantages of steel frames?
Steel frames are often quicker to assemble in comparison to alternative methods.
Recyclable.
Can span longer distances.
Steel frames are lighter in comparison to concrete frames and will often benefit from a cheaper foundation solution.
61
What are the technical disadvantages of steel frames?
Steel frames require fire protection to be retrospectively installed.
The price of steel often fluctuates and can result in a lack of cost certainty.
Steel does not have the same acoustic and thermal properties of concrete frames.
62
What are the technical advantages of concrete frames?
Fire protection is often provided inherently as part of the structure.
High compressive strength.
Concrete frames often provide good sound and heat insulation.
63
What are the technical disadvantages of concrete frames?
Require formwork.
Slower form of construction in comparison to alternative methods.
Concrete does not span as well as steel.
Concrete frames are often heavier and require larger foundations.
64
What is a portal frame?
A portal frame usually has large clear spans providing large open areas - warehouse etc.
65
What is formwork?
A temporary structure used to pour concrete and mould it to the required dimensions.
66
How does rainwater harvesting filter the water?
Using ultra violet light.
67
What types of façade are you aware of?
Stick
Unitised
68
What are the advantages of a stick system?
It is more economically friendly for small volume facades.
Less expensive than unitised due to less specialised equipment.
Easier to maintain as each component can be accessed and replaced.
69
What are the advantages of a unitised system?
High quality due to off-site manufacture.
Quick installation due to the glazing not being installed on site.
70
What is the build-up of a stick system?
Transoms and mullions fixed into floor slabs.
Glazing fixed to transoms and mullions.
Aluminium cap over glazing to hold it in place.
71
How would you reduce the amount of excavated material taken on and off site?
By doing a cut and fill exercise.
Reuse of materials on site.
72
How do you calculate rebar weights?
Using the bending schedule.
73
What methods can be used for fixing unitised façade panels?
Crane them in.
A monorail system.
On floor manipulators.
Which one is used will depend on site constraints and programme.
74
What is slipform construction?
Slipform construction involves pouring concrete into the top of the continuously moving formwork.
As the concrete is poured, the formwork is raised vertically at a speed that allows the concrete to harden before it is exposed at the bottom.
75
Why would you do a cut and fill exercise?
To minimise the amount of material needed to be brought to site to make up levels, as this is expensive.
76
How would you carry out a cut and fill exercise?
Mark-up a grid on a drawing.
Take the average of the highest and lowest points within that grid.
The difference from this to the desired level is the cut/fill amount required.
77
What are the types of ground anchor?
Tensioned
Non-tensioned
Pre-fabricated
78
What is landfill tax?
The tax, administered by HM Customs & Excise, applies to all waste disposed of, at a licensed landfill site, unless specifically exempt.
In force since 1996.
79
At what rates is landfill tax charged?
Landfill Tax is charged at 2 rates:
£2 per tonne for all inert waste.
£38 per tonne for all other taxable waste.
80
What are the problems to the PQS regarding cost control with piling? Whose risk is the piling?
The end depth of the piles are never a certainty.
The procurement route used determines who takes the risk
81
What is powder coating?
A tough durable factory applied organic coating on metals, such as aluminium or galvanised steel, available in many colours.
82
What is an RHS / SHS?
RHS = Rectangular Hollow Section
SHS = Square Hollow Section
83
What is an air brick?
A perforated brick to allow for ventilation into a room or an underfloor space. NOT a weep hole.
84
What are bonded and unbonded types of screed?
Bonded Screeds – Laid on to a ready prepared rough, cleaned concrete base
Unbonded Screeds - Laid over a damp proof membrane (DPM) and laid on top of the concrete base
85
What is the make-up of a stud partition?
Base plate and top plate.
Vertical and horizontal timber or metal studs.
Plasterboard/gyproc board screwed and fixed into partitions.
Firestop and smoke seal at the top of the partition.
86
What are the advantages of a fan-coil unit?
Good control of air movement
Quick installation
High cooling capacity
87
.What are the disadvantages of a fan-coil unit?
The air filter requires maintenance.
The fan can be noisy on a high speed setting.
88
What is the difference between a two-pipe and a four-pipe fan-coil unit?
A two pipe FCU provides cooling.
A four pipe FCU provides heating and cooling.
89
What is an AHU?
Air Handling Unit
Responsible for drawing air into the building and disposing of exhaust air
90
What are fire dampeners?
Effectively blades within a vent.
A fire sensor will go off and close the blades in the event of a fire.
91
What is MVHR?
Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery
92
What is a FCU?
Fan Coil Unit
93
What is a VAV?
Variable Air Volume System
VAV systems vary the airflow at a constant temperature.
The temperature is kept constant and the air flow varies to meets the rising and falling heat gains within the thermal zone that is being cooled.
94
How do fan-coil units work?
Contains a heating and or cooling (2 or 4 pipe) heat exchanger 'coil' and a fan to draw air across.
They are controlled by manual on/off switches or by thermostats.
Indoor air is drawn into the FCU using a fan and moves over the coil, which heats or cools the air before pushing it back out into the room.
95
What is SIPs?
Structurally Insulated Panel systems
96
What are the advantages & disadvantages of Modular construction
Advantages
Quicker on site period.
Can be cheaper in some cases.
Reduced nr. of trades on site.
Disadvantages
Can create longer design stage - need to engage early in design.
Fabrication off site can take time (needs to be factored into program).
May need funding up front and /or advance payments.
Reduced nr. of trades on site - Worse social value
97
What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Construction Technology?
Planning works with unknown certainty of cost of materials, labour & availability - longer lead in.
Impacts on labour - slower installation.
Impacts on cost of materials & availability.
Sourcing of materials through delivery issues.
Enhanced H&S - social distancing, cleaning, working methods.
98
What are the key factors in selecting cladding?
1 - Meets fire requirements
2 - Certified system (not just cladding product but build up also)
3 - Meets planning requirements
4 - Program impacts - lead in / access
5 - Price
99
Can you name some plasterboard types?
Acoustic (blue).
Moisture (green).
General/Standard (white/light grey).
Fire (pink).-
100
What is CAT A fit out?
Typically provides a basic level of finish i.e. raised floor, suspended ceiling, partitions etc.
101
What is CAT B fit out?
Provides a space that is ready to move into and operate i.e. finishing, FF&E.
102
Describe a pitched roof detail
Pitched roofs typically are made up of rafters which span from the apex of the roof and are fixed to the top of the external wall by a wall plate.
At the apex of the roof are the ridge tiles which are supported by the ridge board.
The roof covering whether slate or concrete tiles are typically fixed to roof battens.
Supporting the rafters and roof coverings are the struts, purlins and roof beams.
A soffit and eaves board may be fixed to the end of the rafters along with the guttering and rain water goods.
103
Describe a cladding rainscreen detail?
Rainscreen cladding is an external panel façade system that protects a building’s backing wall from the full force of the weather.
A rainscreen is used to shield a wall, whether this be of masonry, metal studwork or in some cases glass.
Rainscreen cladding is not completely watertight and it’s the job of the building’s backing wall and windows to prevent water ingress and keep the building air-tight.
104
Describe a Unitised cladding system?
Unitised systems comprise narrow-width, storey-height units of aluminium framework containing glazed and/or opaque insulated panels. The entire system is pre-assembled under factory-controlled conditions.
The unitised panels are usually craned into position, with pre-positioned brackets attached to the floor slab or the structural frame.
Modern installation techniques increase the speed of erection and often minimise the requirement for scaffolding.
105
What is intumescent paint?
Fire Resistant paint that is sprayed on in the factory and touched up by hand on site.
It works by stopping oxygen from reaching the surface of the material it is protecting.
106
What is an upstand?
A vertical strip or skirting, such as the weatherproofing where roofing meets an abutment wall.
107
What is the purpose of a threshold strip?
A lightly rounded metal strip over the joint between the floor finishes or coverings that meet under the door leaf.
They prevent fraying and provide an aesthetic finish which also interrupt combustible flooring under fire doors.
108
What is an MF ceiling?
The abbreviation MF commonly refers to a Mineral Fibre plasterboard suspended ceiling.
109
What is a metal grid ceiling and what are the benefits?
This is a suspended ceiling system formed by a square grid.
These are normally quicker to construct than alternative options and allow for service runs through the void.
110
What is top down construction?
“Top down” is used to speed up the construction process of a building with basement levels.
The ground below is excavated and another slab is formed.
Piles are usually used as foundations and also act as retaining walls. It allows the building above to be constructed at the same time as the basement.
111
What is bottom up construction?
“Bottom up” forms the basement and then works upwards in a traditional manner.
112
What is a three phase electrical supply?
A three phase supply is an AC (Alternating Current) supply that consists of three AC voltages 120 degrees out of phase with each other.
Three phase electricity is cheaper and an easier way to transmit electricity compared to single phase electricity.
113
Explain how power is distributed to floor boxes in a raised floor?
The incoming power supply connects to a low voltage switchboard, which in turn connects to a distribution board.
The distribution board will have an under floor busbar connected to it. The busbar has a number of sockets to which the floor box plugs into via a flexible lead.
The floor box has sockets to which the appliances can plug into.
114
What is a syphonic drainage system?
In syphonic drainage, water is sucked from the guttering in to the drain pipe.
A vacuum is created to achieve this.
Syphonic drainage has the advantage that narrower down pipes can be used.
115
What fire safety provisions would you expect to find in an office
block?
Fire exits with signage above that can function in a power failure.
Placing fire extinguishers and fire alarms in easily accessible places.
Restricted use of flammable materials.
Installing fire alarm control panels for quick detection and warning of fire.
116
What are automatic fire sprinklers?
Automatic fire sprinklers are individually heat-activated and tied into a network of piping with water under pressure.
117
What is Busbar trunking?
Bare copper or aluminium conductors fixed inside trunking that distribute heavy-duty electrical power to tap-off units.
118
What is raised access flooring?
A floor sitting on pedestals above a structural slab. The system allows services to be located within the void.
119
Why do we install generators?
Typically as a backup source of power should there be a power cut.
Typically, it is installed in hospitals for life critical equipment and in businesses for business-critical equipment.
120
What is a UPS and why does a building require one?
An Uninterruptible Power Supply.
It provides an alternative 'no-break' electrical supply that can be required in situations where it is important there is no loss of electrical supply, even if the primary supply fails
121
What is natural ventiliation?
A method of supplying fresh air to a building or room by means of passive forces such as wind speed.
Achieved through mechanical systems, reducing carbon emissions.
122
What is an air source heat pump?
This takes heat from the air and boosts it to a higher temperature using a compressor.
The heat is then transferred to a heating system.
123
What is the purpose of a parapet?
Extension of the external building above roof level.
Can be used as edge protection to enable maintenance.
124
What is a CBR test?
California Bearing Ratio.
Tests the load bearing capacity of the ground to inform on foundation design.
125
What is fire compartmentation within a building?
A form of passive fire protection.
The idea is to subdivide a structure into fire compartments to limit the spread of fire and smoke.
126
What are the different types of fire extinguisher?
Water - Wood/cardboard
Foam - Flammable liquids
Dry powder - Flammable liquids and electrical fires
Carbon dioxide - Electrical fires
Wet chemical - Cooking oil fires
127
What is a mansafe fall arrest system?
Horizontal or vertical safety lines designed to keep people safe whilst working at height.
The user will wear a safety harness and clip onto the safety line.
128
Can you briefly explain what O&M Manuals are and what might be included?
Operation and Maintenance Manuals.
O&M manuals are issued to the client upon completion of the build.
Information relating to the construction, maintenance, cleaning and decommissioning should be included. As well as drawings and specifications.
129
L1 - How does planning permission impact on design?
Planning permission ensures that buildings are inclusive for all, ensuring that there is disabled access with the use of ramps, handrails etc. As well as brail requirements for those that are visually impaired.
130
L1 - What other legislation impacts on construction as opposed to the building regs?
The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.
The Equality Act 2010
Working at Height Regulations 2005
COSHH 2002
131
L1 - How does the age of the building affect construction methods?
Any buildings constructed before 1999 could have asbestos containing materials. We should be aware of this.
There are certain buildings that are listed and any works to them would mean that the facade would have to be retained.
132
L1 - What are the RIBA stages?
0 - Strategic Definition
1 - Preparation and Briefing
2 - Concept Design
3 - Spatial Coordination
4 - Technical Design
5 - Manufacturing and Construction
6 - Handover
7 - Use
133
L1 - Can you give me examples of 2 alternative air condition systems?
Air Handling Units.
Fan Coil Units.
134
L1 - What do you understand by the term bus bar?
Bare copper or aluminium conductors fixed inside trunking that distribute heavy-duty electrical power.
135
L1 - Where would you expect to see such an item as bus bar?
They are typically housed inside switchgear or panel boards.
136
L1 - Can you give me some examples of alternative drainage systems?
Rainwater Harvesting and attenuation tanks.
137
L1 - What are the advantages of a steel framed building over a concrete frame?
They are faster to erect that concrete frames and the beams can span over a long distance.
138
L1 - What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Construction Technology?
Planning works with unknown certainty of cost of materials, labour & availability - longer lead in.
Impacts on labour - slower installation.
Impacts on cost of materials & availability.
Sourcing of materials through delivery issues.
Enhanced H&S - social distancing, cleaning, working methods.
139
L2 - St Wilfrid’s – what steered you towards making an assumption that a raft foundation would be suitable?
I assumed that a raft foundation would have been appropriate for a single storey school hall. It thought that it would have appropriately transfer the load of the building to the ground.
140
L2 - St Wilfrid’s - Explain how a raft foundation is constructed?
I have worked with a raft foundation on the construction of the GMMH.
The ground was excavated to approximately 500mm, with two 150mm layers of well compacted hardcore.
A 200mm reinforced concrete slab was then cast under the footprint of the entire building.
141
L2 - Alberton - when you carried out your cost exercise comparing the two options how did you price them to provide the best information to your client?
I contacted 3 engineering companies that the client had worked with on previous projects.
I distributed the AHU and FCU designs and they returned pricing for design and installation.
I took an average of the 3 prices returned and included the rates within a report which was sent and explained to the client.
142
L2 - St Wilfrid's - What impact on your cost plan did the change from a raft foundation to piling make financially?
The piling solution increased the cost significantly. The costs increased by around £75,000.
143
L2 - What types of pile systems are you aware of and how do they work?
I am aware of driven and bored piling.
Driven piles are formed off site and are driven into the ground through vibration.
With bored piling the ground is excavated and the piles are cast on site.
144
L2 - What types of foundations could you encounter and describe them?
Strip foundations - A linear structure which transfers the load of the masonry walls to the ground.
Pad foundations - Used to support individual columns, spreading the load to the ground below.
Raft foundation - A continuous slab which extends over the footprint of the building and spreads the load to the ground.
Piling - A concrete column that extends deep into the ground. Typically used where ground bearing capacity is poor.
145
L3 - Alberton – why was the façade complex?
The facade was complex as the client was aiming for a net zero building. They wanted to find the most appropriate solution to deliver this. This included the use of natural ventilation systems within the facade.
146
L3 - Alberton - When you did your cost analysis and analysed the differences between the types of construction for the facade what advice did you give your client ultimately on the most cost effective solution?
Ultimately, the cost of the precast system was far more expensive than the unitised. This cost did not comply with what we had budgeted and it was therefore recommended that the unitised system would be best to proceed with.
147
L3 - Llanbedrog - when you considered the elements of the scheme how involved were you with the architect to ensure that the scheme ultimately would be one which the client would be happy with?
The client had provided us with the architects details and we were in regular conversation to ensure that the client would be happy with any assumptions that we made.
148
What is IDF?
Internal dominant face.
149
What are the key advantages of a timber frame?
Construction on site can be faster
Lightweight structure
Sustainability benefits
150
What are the key disadvantages of a timber frame?
Skilled workmanship is required to achieve a high quality finish
Potential for wet rot, dry rot, woodworm etc
Fire protection will probably be required
151
What are some modern methods of construction?
A process which focuses on offsite construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional building.
Glulaminated timber
Modular construction
Timber framing
Precast Panels - Floor and wall units made off site
152
Can you name some benefits of modern methods of construction?
Speed - Savings of 10%-50%, increased revenues
Safety - Improved efficiency and productivity
Sustainability - Reduced waste, higher levels of air tightness
Quality - Carrying out those processes in a controlled, dry, easily accessible enjoinment
153
Can you name some disadvantages of modern methods of construction?
Immediate cost is high, although should be reviewed against lifecycle
Imported materials, undermining UK manufacturing
Less social value due to construction in a factory. Less opportunity for local employment and apprenticeships
