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RICS APC > Construction Technology & Environmental Services Level 1 > Flashcards

Construction Technology & Environmental Services Level 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Which RIBA stage is on-site construction?

A

RIBA Stage 5 - Manufacturing & Construction

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2
Q

What is buildability?

A
  • the extent to which the design of a building facilitates the ease of construction
  • to help improve buildability, early contractor involvement should be considered to benefit from their experience & expertise
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3
Q

What is the difference between building works & civil engineering works?

A
  • Building works: all types of buildings such as houses, offices, shops, hotels, hospitals
  • Civil engineering works: drainage schemes, highways, culverts etc
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4
Q

What are temporary works?

A

The parts of a construction project that are needed to enable the permanent walls to be built, they are usually required for safety & access reasons. Such as:

  • propping
  • scaffolding
  • formwork
  • excavation support
  • access & task lighting
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5
Q

What are hoists?

A

Designed for the vertical transportation of materials and / or people

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6
Q

What is shoring?

A
  • a form of temporary support given to existing buildings & excavations
  • the purpose is to prevent collapse or excessive movement
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7
Q

What is a culvert?

A
  • a tunnel-like structure that is constructed to allow water flow under a road, railway line or similar obstruction
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8
Q

What is the purpose of a drainage headwall?

A
  • It’s a small retaining wall / structure built at the inlet or outfall of a storm water drainage pipe
  • Used to protect the end of the drain as well as protect the watercourse embankment from erosion
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9
Q

What is the sub-structure of a building?

A
  • the lower portion of the building in the ground which supports the superstructure
  • transmits the loads of the building to the ground
  • includes foundations, basements & retaining walls
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10
Q

What is ground heave?

A
  • usually associated with clay soil, which swells when wet causing the upward movement of the ground
  • as the soil cannot expand downwards or sideways, the result is the exposed upper surface of the soil rises up
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11
Q

What are the different forms of excavation?

A
  • site clearance operations (removing vegetation & rubble)
  • stripping topsoil
  • reduced level dig (to reach formation level)
  • cut and fill
  • excavation for foundations
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12
Q

What are SUDs?

A
  • sustainable drainage systems
  • design to manage storm water as close to the source as possible to mimic natural drainage & encourage its infiltration
  • help to reduce the reliance on existing drainage infrastructure
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13
Q

What is the purpose of a foundation?

A
  • provide support for structures, transferring their load to the ground to avoid excessive settlement
  • bear the loads of the superstructure
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14
Q

What are the typical considerations when selecting the type & size of foundations?

A
  • total load of the building
  • nature & load bearing capacity of the ground
  • type of structure
  • cost
  • construction constraints (e.g. proximity to adjacent buildings / structures)
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15
Q

What is a raft foundation?

A
  • essentially a continuous slab that extends over the entire footprint of the building
  • spreads the load of the building over a larger area than other foundations, the stress acting on the ground below is reduced
  • used when ground bearing capacity is poor
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16
Q

What is a pad foundation?

A
  • Typically used in framed buildings to support perimeter or interior columns, spreading the load to the ground below
  • usually square or rectangular on plan & can be reinforced or non-reinforced
  • commonly used for steel & concrete frames, supporting commercial & industrial properties
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17
Q

What are strip foundations?

A
  • a strip of linear structure that serves to spread the weight across the total area of the ground
  • typically used on traditional residential construction
  • can have shallow strip or deep strip foundations
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18
Q

What is the difference between shallow strip & deep strip foundations?

A

Shallow strip

  • easier to construct so less labour needed
  • possibility of settlement as they have a low resistance to lateral loads

Deep strip

  • work at a greater depth, providing lateral support & resisting uplift
  • more expensive as its a complex construction procedure which requires skilled labour
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19
Q

What are pile foundations?

A
  • a column which extends deep into the ground
  • used where the bearing capacity of the soil is poor or imposed loads are very heavy
  • there are 2 main types of pile: end bearing piles & friction piles
  • there are 2 main construction methods: bored piles & driven piles
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20
Q

What is the difference between end bearing piles & friction piles?

A
  • End bearing piles: the bottom of the pile rests on a layer of strong soil or rock, the strong layer takes the load
  • Friction piles - develop most of the pile-bearing by the shear stresses along the sides of the pile. So, the surface pile works to transfer the forces to the soil
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21
Q

What is the difference between bored & driven piles?

A
  • fundamental difference lies in their point of manufacture
  • a driven pile is formed off site under factory-controlled conditions
  • bored pile is manufactured on site
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22
Q

What are the advantages & disadvantages of driven piles?

A

Advantages

  • Can be precast to required specifications
  • piles of any size, length & shape can be made in advance
  • a pile driven into granular soil compacts the adjacent soil mass, the bearing capacity of the pile may increase as a result
  • fast, neat & clean installation

Disadvantages

  • requires heavy equipment for handling & delivery
  • increased noise & vibrations generated by driving the piles
  • can be costly if piles are too short
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23
Q

What are the advantages & disadvantages of bored piles?

A

Advantages:

  • any size or shape of pile can be formed on site
  • no risk of damage during delivery & handling
  • reduced vibrations & noise

Disadvantages

  • significant spoils are generated that need to be handled
  • reliance & coordination on multiple trades
  • do not improve bearing capacity of the ground
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24
Q

What are secant pile walls?

A
  • a wall formed by installing interlocking piles which create a solid barrier free of gaps
  • typically used to form a retaining wall
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25
Q

What is a retaining wall?

A

A wall that holds back earth or water

26
Q

What is underpinning?

A

Method for repair & strengthening foundations. Could be used for:

  • stabilising foundations undergoing settlement
  • increase load capacity of existing foundations
27
Q

What is superstructure?

A
  • structural components of a builds constructed above the ground level (everything above damp-proof course)
28
Q

What is the envelope of a building?

A
  • the boundary between the interior & exterior of a building
29
Q

What is a retained facade?

A
  • where the facade of a building is preserved whilst the rest of the structure is remodelled, or a new structure built behind it
  • often used when restoring listed buildings
30
Q

What key information can you tell me about bricks & blocks in the UK?

A

Bricks

  • standard size 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm
  • 60 bricks per m2

Blocks
- 10 blocks per m2

31
Q

What is a curtain walling system?

A
  • comprise lightweight aluminium frame onto which glazed or opaque infill panels can be fixed
32
Q

What is a movement joints?

A
  • designed to safely absorb the expansion & contraction of construction materials
  • also allow for movement associated with ground settlement
33
Q

What are the main components of concrete?

A
  • cement
  • aggregate
  • water
34
Q

What is the difference between dead & live loads?

A
  • Dead loads: static forces that are relatively constant for an extended time. E.g. materials / non-structural elements such as kitchens, immovable furniture
  • Live loads: the dynamic forces from occupancy & intended used such as weight of people, furniture, appliances, movable equipment
35
Q

What is a glulam beam?

A
  • stands for glue-laminated timber

- made with multiple layers of solid wood, bonded together with high-strength adhesive to form a single structural unit

36
Q

What is reinforced concrete?

A
  • concrete with reinforcements, such as steel bars, rods or mesh
  • made to use the compressive strength of concrete & tensile strength of steel
37
Q

What are the advantages & disadvantages of timber frames?

A

Advantages:

  • Pre-fabricated, so construction on-site can be faster
  • relatively lightweight
  • seen as aesthetically pleasing for exposed frames
  • sustainability benefits

Disadvantages

  • skilled workmanship is not required to achieve a high-quality finish
  • potential for wet rot, dry rot & woodworm
  • fire protection may be required
38
Q

What are the advantages & disadvantages of steel frames?

A

Advantages:

  • faster to erect than concrete frames
  • recyclable
  • high strength to weight ratio
  • beams can span over long distances (ideal for warehouses)

Disadvantages:

  • lower load bearing capacity compared to concrete frames
  • fire protection may be required
  • price of steel can be volatile
  • do not have the same acoustic & thermal properties of a concrete frame
39
Q

What are the advantages & disadvantages of concrete frames?

A

Advantages:

  • fire protection is inherent within the structure
  • cladding & other finishes can be fixed directly to the frame
  • provides good sound & heat insulation
  • high compressive strength

Disadvantages:

  • require formwork
  • slower to construct on site
  • requires a bulky structure
  • concrete does not span as well as steel
  • long curing time
40
Q

In relation to concrete frames, what is formwork?

A
  • the structure, usually temporary, used to contain poured concrete & mould it in to the required dimensions
  • usually stripped away once the concrete has hardened & can support itself
41
Q

What is the difference between a Cat A & Cat B fit out?

A

Cat A:

  • typically provides a basic level of finish which may include raised floors, suspended ceilings & partitions, along with basic M&E services
  • often a bare-bones finish that is considered a blank canvas for interior designers

Cat B:

  • follows on from Cat A to provide a space that is ready to move into & operation
  • may include floor finishes, furniture, branded material & decor
42
Q

What is rainscreen cladding used for?

A
  • it manages the flow of rainwater on a building

- not necessarily waterproof but serves as a screen & protection against rain for the rest of the building

43
Q

What are the different types of site investigations?

A

Desktop survey:

  • looks historically at maps & archive records to determine previous uses of the site
  • carried out purely through research, rather than physical investigations

Site survey:

  • walkover survey is where details & features of the site is taken
  • highlights any immediately apparent geological, ecological, topographical or other issues which may present constraints to the project

Trial pits:

  • excavation of an area of ground to study or sample the composition of the subsurface
  • usually dug during the site investigation, soil survey or geological survey, & used to determine the geology & water table of the site

Borehole investigation:

  • done alongside or as part of the trial pit
  • determines any filled or contaminated ground, ground water, obstructions & bearing capacity of the soil
44
Q

What is fire compartmentation within a building?

A
  • a form of passive fire protection

- the idea is to subdivide a structure into fire compartments to limit the spread of fire & smoke in the building

45
Q

What is intumescent paint?

A
  • a passive fire protection system
  • when exposed to extreme temperatures, it rapidly expands to protect the surface it is applied to
  • this prevents, minimised or delays fire damage to the structure
46
Q

What are automatic fire sprinklers & how are they activated?

A
  • active fire protection system
  • heat activated
  • when the fire reaches a sprinkler head, a solder link will melt or a liquid filled glass bulb will shatter to activate the sprinkler, releasing water directly over the source of heat
47
Q

What is the difference between passive & active fire protection?

A

Passive - containing the fire & preventing it from spreading further
Active - about detecting, stopping & escaping the fire

48
Q

What are the Building Regulations?

A
  • ensure that new buildings, conversions, renovations & extensions are going to be safe, healthy & high performing
  • they cover specific topics such as fire protection, energy performance, structural integrity & acoustic performance
49
Q

Who reviews the design & construction phase for compliance with Building Regulations?

A
  • building control officer

- improved inspector

50
Q

Can you name any materials banned from use in construction?

A
  • asbestos

- high alumina cement

51
Q

How does RIBA Plan of Work provide a defined process?

A
  • renowned industry model for planning, designing & developing construction projects
  • provides a consistent approach to delivering projects
  • includes clear stages
52
Q

What are the RIBA POW stages?

A 
0 - Strategic Definition 
1 - Preparation & Brief Concept Design 
2 - Concept Design 
3 - Developed Design 
4 - Spatial coordination 
5 - Construction 
6 - Handover & Close-out
7 - In Use
53
Q

How do Building Regulations impact design & construction?

A
  • set out how and the standards to which a building should be constructed
  • for example, Approved Document B sets out minimum requirements for fire escape routes
  • this will impact on the positioning of rooms, doors and lengths of corridors
54
Q

How does the Health & Safety at Work Act impact design & construction?

A
  • It’s the overarching piece of legislation covering occupational health & safety in Great Britain
  • it sets out general duties which employers have towards employees & members of the public and employees have to themselves & each other
  • this will impact how a construction site is operated
55
Q

You mention stud partitions in relation to inter-relating elements & components. How is this constructed then?

A
  • a frame of metal or timber studs secured to the floor, ceiling & walls
  • the frame is then covered with plasterboard
56
Q

What is first and second fix?

A
  • First fix: When the cables, wiring & circuits are installed. Done before any plastering work and in conjunction with any central heating or plumbing work
  • Second fix: After plastering work, when fixtures are connected. For example, face plates on light switches & plug sockets, light fittings,
57
Q

What is pre-fabrication?

A
  • The construction of a buildings components off site, usually in a factory setting
  • Then transported to & assembled on site
58
Q

What is modular construction?

A

Where a building or module is constructed off site as a self-contained unit usually in a factory setting

Then transported to site

59
Q

What are the advantages of modular construction & pre-fabrication?

A
  • material efficiency - does not produce waste as they arrive on site in the finished state, better material planning in factories, less material loss from damage or theft
  • cost efficiency - reduction in construction time, discounts through mass production of components, saves on labour hours and manpower cost
  • reduced site disruption - reduces disruptions such as noise, pollution, and plant traffic
  • time efficiency - due to all of the above
  • safety - risks associated with on site construction such as hazardous waste, weather are reduced as they are constructed off site in a safe, controlled environment
60
Q

What are the disadvantages of pre-fabrication & modular construction?

A
  • Based on the concept of mass-production and standardisation so poses restrictions on designers designing unique buildings
  • Restricts additions & alterations - difficult to make amendments
  • High transportation costs
  • risk of damage during transit
61
Q

What do you know about pitched vs flat roofs?

A

Pitched roofs:

  • creates more roof space than flat roofs
  • has a longer life span than flat roofs
  • are more effective at draining water than flat roofs
  • are more expensive to construct than flat roofs

RICS APC (34 decks)

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