Construction Technology and Environmental Services Flashcards
Level 1 - 3
What RIBA Stage is on site construction?
Stage 5 Manufacturing and Construction
What are temporary works?
Temporary works are works that are undertaken to facilitate the main works but will not ultimately form part of the permanent works. Examples such as scaffolding, trench support, temporary propping & formwork. Generally they are required for safety reasons. Sometimes the temporary works will be left in and become part of the main works if it is easier than removing them.
What is shoring?
Shoring is a type of temporary works that gives buildings or excavations stability and prevents collapse.
What is substructure?
Substructure is the part of a building below the ground floor slab. It is used to transfer the imposed loads of a superstructure into the ground and give the building structural stability. It includes piling, basements & retaining walls.
What is ground heave?
This is when the ground swells up and puts pressure on a structure which can result in the structure moving from its intended position. Usually occurs in clay soils and it is an upward force on the structure.
What are some techniques for ground improvement?
Vibro compaction
Vibro stone columns
Vertical drains and vacuum consolidation
Soil mixing
Dynamic compaction
Can you detail a typical road build-up?
Sub base compacted and rolled – Larger crushed stone, compacted in layers and used to aid stability for the road. 100 – 250mm
Base course – 70 – 150mm
Binder course – Sits on top of the sub based and is used to cap it and stop it moving while giving the next layer something to adhere too. 50 -100mm
Wearing course this is the top layer, usually intended to be sacrificial. It gets exposed to the majority of the loads and as its exposed to the elements can end up cracked from the weather. Eventually it can be planed off and relayed while (in theory) the sub and binder layers stay intact therefore reducing the time and cost of the repair. 20 – 40mm
What are the typical considerations when selecting the size and type of foundations used?
Type of building and how many floors. Live and dead loads that will be imposed
Soil bearing capacity and water table height
Is there likely to be any future increase load on the foundation (is there going to be an extension)
Cost
Location to existing buildings/structures and or historic mines.
What are the different types of foundation?
Strip foundation
Pad foundation
Raft
Pilled foundation
Steel sheet piles
Contiguous piles
Secant piles
Precast concrete/ prefabricated steel
Vibro piling
CFA
What is a raft foundation?
Is a continuous pad that sits under the entire footprint of the building and spreads the load out over a wider area.
What is a strip foundation?
A strip foundation is a shallow and narrow concrete foundation that is placed under masonry walls to bear the load. It is usually used with house construction.
What are piled foundations?
These are foundations that allow the load of the building to be directly transferred into the ground either by end or load bearing piles and also friction piles. Two main construction methods are used, bored and driven.
In what situation might a piled foundation be the best solution for the project?
Where the structure is heavy and the underlying soil is weak
Where settlement might be a problem
Where the water table is high
Where the load level of the structure is not uniform
In the presence of horizontal forces
Can you explain how end bearing and friction bearing piles transfer the load of the building?
Friction piles get most of their strength from sheer stress from the side of the pile. The surface of the pile works to transfer the forces into the surrounding soil.
End bearing piles transfer their load directly into the rock layer below the pile.
What is underpinning and why might it be required?
Underpinning is a method of strengthening foundations. Might be used for:
* Stabilising foundations undergoing settlement
* Stabilising foundations that have moved because of landslips or unstable slopes
* Stabilising foundations that might be affected by subsidence, heave or erosion
* Stabilising foundations that might be affected by vibration damage
* To increase the loadbearing capacity of the existing foundations
* To accommodate a new adjoining building, new basement or a deep sewer.
What is a CBR test?
California Bearing Ratio is used to determine the strength of bases to withstand load.
Which kinds of vegetation can cause problems on constructions projects?
Invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam or Giant Hogweed. As these not native plants can damage local ecosystem and are easily spread. GH is also harmful to human skin.
Are you aware of any guidance issues by the RICS on JK?
Yes, the Japanese Knotweed and residential property 1st Edition Jan 2022
What fire safety systems would you expect to see in a new building?
Sprinkler systems/ Fire alarm/ fire dampers in HVAC/ Smoke control systems
Fire rated doors and partitions
Fire compartmentation
Exit signage, dedicated escape routes, evacuation plan, fire exit
Extinguishers
Maximum occupancy numbers
Types of fire extinguishers
Water (RED) – Wood, cardboard, textiles etc.
Foam (CREAM) – Flammable liquids – Fuel etc.
Dry Powder (BLUE) - Flammable liquids and electrical fire
CO2 (BLACK) – Electrical
Wet Chemical (CREAM) – Cooking oil
List the Building Regulation approval documents?
A. Structure
B. Fire safety
C. Site preparation
D. Toxic substances
E. Sound resistance
F. Ventilation
G. Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
H. Drainage and waste disposal
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. High speed electronic communication networks
S. Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles
Approved document 7 – Materials and workmanship
Who reviews the design and construction phase for compliance with building regs?
The Building control officer or approved inspector.
What are British Standards?
Issues by the British Standards Institute, referred to a BS they give recommendation for minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction
Name some materials that have been banned for use in construction?
Asbestos
High alumina cement in structural concrete
Urea formaldehyde
What is the equality act 2010?
It is an act that makes it illegal to discriminate against people in the work place and wider society. Replaced a number of previous acts so everything is covered in one place. Covers discrimination against disability, race, age, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and religion or belief.
How does the equality act effect buildings?
During the construction or refurbishment of a building the equality act must be consider so that it doesn’t discriminate against certain groups of people.
For example Part M of the building regulation concern assess and use of a building. If there are steps and no ramp (or alternative access points) then a wheelchair user might not be able to access the building.
Or Part B concerning fire safety will insist that fire alarms have a visual indication of an event for deaf people and audible on for the blind.
What is the typical distance between ceiling joists in a rafter and purlin roof?
400-450mm centres.
What is the typical distance between ceiling battens in a rafter and purlin roof?
A gable roof is where a triangular portion of the wall sits between the edges of a sloping roof.
A hipped roof is where the all roof pitches slope down to meet the walls.
A mansard roof is where each pitch of the roof has 2 slopes with the lower slop at a steeper angle than the higher. The lower slope is often punctuated by dormer windows.
What is the difference between a jack rafter, hip rafter and a common rafter?
A common rafter is any rafter extending from the top of the exterior wall to the ridge of the roof.
A hip rafter extends from the corner of the wall all the way to the ridge, forming the hip of a roof.
A jack rafter is a shorter secondary rafter often used in the construction of a hipped roof.
What is a flitch beam?
A flitch beam is made up of a steel plate sandwiched between two wood beams, the three layers being held together with bolts. Its lighter than a steel beam.
What considerations are required to pitch when slating a roof?
In general the lower the pitch of the roof the greater the lap should be.
This longer lap will help resist both capillary action and wind uplift.
On steeper pitches with free flowing drainage smaller slates may be used.
What type of nails should be used for fixing slates?
Aluminium alloy or stainless steel.
What Building Regulation implications are there when repairing a flat roof?
Part L has implications here.
Part L of the Building regulations relates to the conservation of fuel and power
It comes into effect when 50% or more of the roof area is being refurbished.
In simple terms, it means that the thermal efficiency of the whole roof must be upgraded and get as close to the current regulations as possible.
If such an upgrade is not technically or functionally feasible or would not achieve a simple payback of 15 years or less, the element should be upgraded to the best standard that can be achieved.
