Construction technology and environmental services Flashcards
What are the stages of design & construction from inception to completion?
Riba plan of works
0 - Strategic definition.
1 - Preparation and briefing.
2 - Concept design.
3 - Spatial coordination.
4 - Technical design.
5 - Manufacturing and construction.
6 - Handover.
7 - Use.
What is substructure?
What is superstructure?
The superstructure refers to the visible part of a building or structure that is above ground level, encompassing elements like walls, floors, roofs, and other structural components
What is the external envelope?
The building envelope includes all the building components that separate the indoors from the outdoors. Building envelopes include the exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows and doors.
What are the Building Regulations?
What different ways can you consider the different stages?
What is the impact of current legislation regulations and standards both national and international on your work?
Tell me about how the various elements of a building work and interrelate including: sub structures, super structures, electrical, elevation and fenestration.
Tell me about the process of construction and alteration.
Tell me about your understanding of operational and maintenance processes.
Tell me about your understanding of alternative construction details in relation to functional elements of the design such as different types of piling or structural frame solutions.
Tell me about how construction design solutions vary for different types of buildings such as clear span or acoustic requirements.
Talk me through the various stages of the RIBA plan of work.
How do you adhere to CDM 2015?
What do you investigate in stages 1-4?
Moisture/ dampness in buildings
What are the benefits of offsite construction?
What regulations are there which control the design of a project?
Tell me about the stages of construction design.
What do you understand by substructure?
Give me an example of a substructure.
What do you understand by superstructure in construction?
Give me two examples of superstructure of a building?
What sorts of surveys can be carried out during construction works?
What is the importance of levelling during highways work?
What are the types of foundation you are aware of?
What sort of construction can each of the foundations be used for?
What are the Building Regulations?
What are the approved documents? Give some examples.
What is your understanding of a soil investigation?
What are temporary works?
What is the external envelope?
What are the Building Regulations?
What are the approved documents?
What are British Standards?
What are the typical components of site investigations?
What are the main site considerations?
What is a retained façade?
What are temporary works?
What is landfill tax?
What is a tower crane and how do you erect one?
What would stop a tower crane from working?
What is a scaffold?
What is shoring?
What are hoists?
What is a foundation?
What are the main components of concrete?
What is a borehole?
What are piles?
What are the different types of piles?
What are the different ways that the piles transfer their load to the surrounding ground?
How does load pass from the top of a single storey building to the foundations?
What are the different types of load?
How does load pass from the top of a 5 storey building to the foundations?
How do you construct a strip foundation?
How do you construct a pad foundation?
What is the difference between bored/pre-cast piles?
What is a raft foundation?
Under what conditions would you expect a raft foundation to be used for a substructure?
What is a strip foundation?
What are pad foundations?
How do you measure the strength of concrete?
You can use a cube test to measure compressive strength. Alternatively you can use a hammer test
What are retaining walls?
What are the main types of excavation?
What is a basement?
What are the different types of basement construction?
What are the main methods of waterproofing a basement?
What is scabbling?
What are the technical advantages of steel frames?
Durability
Affordability
What are the technical disadvantages of steel frames?
What are the technical advantages of concrete frames?
What are the technical disadvantages of concrete frames?
What is powder coating?
What is intumescent paint?
How do you apply intumescent paint?
What is the size of a typical brick?
215 mm x 102.5 mm x 65 mm
How many bricks are in a M2?
60 bricks
Generally, there are 60 bricks per square metre if you are building a half-brick wall or a one layer wall. Or if you are building a one-brick wall or two-layer wall, then there are 120 bricks required per square metre.
What types of pile foundations are you aware of?
Continuous flight auger piles.
driven pipes
sheet piles
What are retaining walls?
What are formworks?
What is shoring?
A temporary support for excavation
What do you understand by underpinning?
What are the factors that may affect the choice of an internal partition?
What was the underlying cause of the Grenfell Tower fire?
What changes have been made to avoid similar disasters in future?
How do you appreciate the impact of construction technology on project cost?
Explain your understanding of the following; demolition, site preparation,
foundation systems, substructures, superstructures (e.g. frames, bridges),
building envelopes (e.g. external walls, roofs), internal structures (e.g.
partitions, doors), finishes, fixtures, fittings, service installations (including
underground drainage and transportation systems), external works,
landscaping, road, pavement and rail track works, major earthworks and
tunnelling
Explain how sustainability requirements have been included in your choice of materials or construction methods.
Explain your understanding of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
Give examples of MMC.
Explain your understanding of Building Regulations, Codes and other related legislation.
What is the benefit of prefabrication?
Why might prefabrication be problematic?
How do concrete and steel frames compare?
Explain partitioning systems you are aware of.
Explain your understanding of cladding and glazing systems.
What does hard and soft landscaping mean?
Explain your understanding of services technology.
What type of M&E systems are you aware of?
What are mains services?
Explain your understanding of air condition and ventilation systems.
Explain types of fire safety and security systems you are aware of.
What environmental systems and controls are you aware of?
Explain your understanding of party wall issues and rights of light.
What dangerous or banned substances are you aware of?
What are the implications you need to consider when specifying insulation?
What surveys would you expect to undertake prior to designing a foundation?
What other factors would you consider when designing a foundation?
What is the purpose of a cavity tray?
What are the different structural forms a building a take?
Give examples of residential, commercial and industry structures
Describe 3 types of flat roof structures and how they are made up.
Explain the changes and requirements in the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.
When did these come into force?
Explain what you understand by the NHBC Standards.
Give an example of one of the standards.
How does the construction of a cavity and a solid wall differ?
Explain different types of roof construction you are aware of.
What is thermal movement?
What is the difference between a cold and warm deck flat roof?
What is an inverted roof?
How do you utilise your knowledge of current regulations and design standards to ensure compliance with legislation?
How do you prepare annotated sketches and specification detailing how elements interact?
What mechanical and electrical services are relevant to your area of work?
What construction materials have you worked with?
Tell me about what you think in relation to various types of materials affecting the cost and time of the project?
Why do you think that material was suitable for that project?
Tell me about the type of construction you’ve undertaken.
Talk me through the various types of materials you’ve used. How did this affect the cost and time of the project?
Talk me through how you’ve quantified how delay and disruption to a construction activity affected follow on activities and trades.
How do you use your knowledge of construction technology to inform the following; estimating, production of pricing documents, tender and contract documents, compiling final accounts?
Newlands – Cannabis farm
I was responsible for providing a specification for a repair following
criminal damage. Extraction ducting had been installed through the
concrete floors, damaging the wet underfloor heating system. I explored the cost of a repair, which included removing the overlaid screed in the damaged areas, versus the option to use an overlay system. I concluded that the overlay system was considerably less labour intensive, would be more energy efficient and would provide certainty over the expected life span, however, the increased height meant that the balustrading in the atrium and staircase would need to be altered. I provided annotated drawings for the alterations required, which included adapting the risers and treads to accommodate the new floor levels, extending newel posts and the installation of new spindles and handrail to a height of
910mm above the new finished floor level.
What impact did the ductwork have on the concrete floor?
What were the cost options between the two?
Why did the balustrading the HMS staircase need to be altered?
What statutory documentation did you review?
Marina Buildings – Parapet repairs
The client had attempted to resolve extensive leaks to the bituminous felt lined parapet guttering and requested advice on whether to use a liquid applied system or renew with lead. I advised on the advantages and disadvantages of both systems and recommended lining the gutters with lead in accordance with the Lead Sheet Training Academy guidance.
After review of the information and costs the client proceeded with a lead installation.
How had the client attempted to resolve the leak?
What are the advantage disadvantages of both systems?
Why did you recommend lining the gutters with lead?
What specific document did you review?
Tell me about the impact of different design solutions and construction processes on cost and programme.
Tell me about your advice on the selection and application of particular processes within your area of experience.
How have you liaised with specialists and consultants to develop project specific design and construction solutions?
Talk me through how you have reported on the impact of different design solutions on cost of a construction project.
Talk me through how when you have reported on the impact of different design solutions and construction processes on programme.
Talk me through when you’ve advised on the choice of construction solutions for your project.
Talk me through when you have advised of potential programme reduction in respect the construction of a work package or activity.
Talk me through a value engineering you’ve carried out during a construction project.
How have you advised on design where the methods of construction or materials have had a significant impact on project cost?
How have you considered practical alternatives to those specified by the professional team?
William George Court – Roof repairs
Following a defect inspection, I was responsible for specifying a roof
refurbishment. The flat roof was in very poor condition with extensive water leaks and damage to the timber deck. I advised that a full roof refurbishment would be required instead of a patch repair or overlay system. As the waterproof membrane was to be removed, compliance with part L of the building regulations would require improvements to the insulation. I considered the specification of the replacement roof covering and advised that all felt coverings should be removed, the damaged sections of the timber deck should be replaced, a vapour control layer and insulation laid to falls should be installed, with a high performance built up felt system applied. Due to the increased insulation height to meet Part L of the Building Regulations, I also specified removing the loose concrete coping stones to the parapets and fully encapsulating with the felt system with GRP trims to reduce
the future maintenance requirements. I advised the client that the
works could be completed by a contractor under the competent roofer scheme instead of the client submitting a building control notice with the Local Authority
What was the cause of failure to the flat roof?
Why was a full refurbishment required rather than repair or overlay?
How did you outline the timber deck to be replaced?
What is a GRP trim?
What are the advantages of this?
What warranties did you review as part of the works?
Chewton Way
Prior to design of a rear extension, I advised on the advantages and
disadvantages of enclosing upon a neighbour’s wall, my advice included enclosure costs and the potential defects if the wall was set away leaving a small gap. On the other side the wall could be built up to the line of junction, however, the neighbour was planning to extend in the future, I advised that an eccentric foundation would be best suited. There was already tension between the neighbours and upon receiving the plans I identified the gutters and eaves in trespass. I advised this could lead to further dispute and suggested alternative options, to include a parapet gutter detail.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing upon the neighbour’s wall?
What foundations would be best suited?
What were the implications of the gutters and ease trespassing?
What was the outcome of your advice?
