Construction Technology

Question 1

What are British Standards?

Answer 1

Give recommended minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction practices.

Question 2

What are some typical components of site investigations?

Answer 2

• Size, depth and location of services
• Ground and soil conditions
• Existing buildings
• Boundaries and existing trees

Question 3

What are the main site considerations when assessing a project?

Answer 3

• Access considerations
• Storage & accommodation
• Temporary services
• Plant
• Health & safety risks

Question 4

What are the main components of concrete?

Answer 4

Sand, cement, aggregate, water

Question 5

What are the different types of piles?

Answer 5

• Sheet piles
• Continuous flight augered piles
• Bored piles

Question 6

What is a raft foundation?

Answer 6

They spread the load of the superstructure over a large base and are useful in low bearing capacity soils.

Question 7

What are some methods of waterproofing a basement?

Answer 7

Tanking - using materials such as asphalt, bitumen and epoxy resins

Drained cavity solution - Sump pumps

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel frames?

Answer 8

Advantages - quick to assemble, high strength to weight ratio

Disadvantages - requires fire protection, price of steel fluctuates

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete frames?

Answer 9

Advantages - Inherent fire protection, good sound and heat insulation properties

Disadvantages - Time consuming to install, heavier and offer require larger foundations

Question 10

What is the difference between a warm roof and a cold roof?

Answer 10

A warm roof has insulation located on top of the roof deck and above the joists. A cold roof has insulation between the roof joists with an air gap below the roof deck for cross ventilation.

Question 11

What is an inverted flat roof?

Answer 11

Insulation placed above the waterproof membrane and must be weighed down with ballast or paving. Can be hard to pinpoint any leaks but waterproofing layer has more protection.

Question 12

What is rainscreen cladding?

Answer 12

A wall comprising an outer skin of panels attached to the primary structure of a building, forming a non structural external surface to protect the main wall from the elements.

Question 13

What are u values?

Answer 13

A measure of how effective a material is as an insulator.

Question 14

What should be the minimum falls for a flat roof?

Answer 14

Should be designed to 1:40 to ensure a finished fall of 1:80.

BS 6229 - Best practice for the design, specification, construction and installation of flat roofs

Question 15

What is the size of a brick?

Answer 15

215mm length x 102.5mm width x 65mm height

Question 16

What are the considerations when specifying an internal partition?

Answer 16

• Fire rating requirements
• Restriction for noise
• Strength requirements

Question 17

What are the elements of a flat roof?

Answer 17

• Joists fixed to wall plates
• Furrings fixed to the top of joists to provide appropriate falls
• Particle board fixed to the top of the furrings to provide a flat surface
• Vapour control layer
• Insulation
• Waterproof covering (felt, asphalt, single ply)

Question 18

What is Cat 2 lighting?

Answer 18

Light fittings suitable for use with visual display units.

Question 19

What fire safety provisions would you expect to find in an office block?

Answer 19

• Fire alarm system
• Fire exits with emergency lighting
• Fire fighting equipment
• Fire doors

Question 20

What is a VAV system?

Answer 20

Variable Air Volume

Varies the airflow at a constant temperature. Uses ductwork to distribute cooled air.

Question 21

What is a VRF system?

Answer 21

Variable Refrigerant Flow

System is made up of a heat pump, compressor and pipe work. Can provide simultaneous heating and cooling. Energy efficient as the energy recovered from one zone can be used to heat a separate zone.