Construction Technology & Environmental Services Flashcards
What is the RIBA Plan of Work?
It is a framework that organise the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating a building. It is solely guidance but is used across the construction industry.
What are the stages of the RIBA Plan of Work?
RIBA 0 = Strategic Definition – Prep of client’s requirements, set project budget, appraise site.
RIBA 1 = Preparation and Briefing – prepare project brief, agree budget, prepare programme, undertake feasibility studies.
RIBA 2 = Concept Design – prepare design concept aligned to cost plan, produce outline specifications.
RIBA 3 = Spatial Coordination – undertake studies, analyses and cost exercises and update cost plan, project strategies and spec accordingly.
RIBA 4 = Technical Design – develop design, coordinate building systems information.
RIBA 5 = Manufacturing and Construction – finalise site logistics, monitor construction programme, resolve site queries.
RIBA 6 = Handover – prepare plan for use strategy, review project performance, rectify defects.
RIBA 7 = Use – implement facilities management, post occupancy evaluation.
How is design dictated by building regulations?
Building regulations set the minimum standard for design and construction and ensure the health and safety of those in and around the building.
Which pieces of legislation govern design in the UK?
The Building Regulations 2010
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
Name some of the building regulations approved documents.
Document A = Structure
Document B = Fire Safety
Document C = Site Preparation and Resistance to Contaminates and Moisture
Document D = Toxic Substances
Document E = Resistance to Sound
Document F = Ventilation
Document G = Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency
Document H = Drainage and Waste Disposal
Document J = Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Document K = Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact
Document L = Conservation of Fuel and Power
Document M = Access and Use of Buildings
Document O = Overheating
Document P = Electrical Safety
Document Q = Security in Dwellings
Document R = Infrastructure for Electronic Communications
Document S = Infrastructure for Charging Electric Vehicles
Document T = Toilet Accommodations
Document 7 = Material and Workmanship
What building regulations have recently changed?
Part B
Part G
Part M
New Part T
How does design development effect cost estimates?
If design develops past the initial client brief, costs can increase beyond the project budget.
How do you manage design development as a QS?
Undertaking value management over the project – exploring how value can be provided at a strategic level.
Undertaking value engineering exercises - where products / designs are reviewed to reduce cost but increase functionality, ultimately increasing value for the client.
Give some examples of MMC?
Prefabricated bathroom pods
Pre-cast concrete
Timber frames
What are the advantages and disadvantages of MMC?
Advantages:
- Easy to control health and safety in a factory
- Better quality in a controlled environment
- Reduction in waste
- High speed
Disadvantages:
- Cost
- Difficult to incorporate late design changes
- Poor social value
On Keele University, you mentioned triple glazing and an MVHR in lieu of double glazing? What was the cost difference?
There was a saving of approximately £1.5M by omitting the MVHRs per room and adding openable triple glazed windows to allow the space to be naturally ventilated whilst maintaining acoustic performance.
What is an MVHR and how does it work?
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery
Fresh air is drawn in, moist air is extract out. Both airflows pass through a heat exchanger where heat is transferred from the extracted air into the fresh air.
What was the cost of the folding partition on the Arthur Lewis Building?
The folding partition came to £10k.
What was the cost saving of the acoustic baffles on Mill Studios?
£85k.
How do acoustic baffles work?
Sound waves strike the baffle, the fibres within the baffle vibrate and create friction, converting sound energy into kinetic energy which dissipates the sound.
What is a CAT A Fit Out?
Providing a basic level of finish to an office. Includes raised access floors, suspended ceilings, painting to internal surfaces and basic M&E services.
What is a CAT B Fit Out
Internal customisation of a fit-out to meet the specific requirements of a Client / Tenant. Creates a ready-to-occupy space.
Where would you find the definition of a CAT A & CAT B fit out?
The BCO Guide to Specification.
On Keele University, what was the make up of the façade?
From Outside to In:
Brick Slip
Corium Carrier
Aluminium Sub Frame
Cavity
Rockwool Insulation
What would the % uplift be between plasterboard partition and a fire rate partition?
approximately 20%
What is a foundation?
A structural element that transfers the a building’s load to the ground
What types of foundation are there?
Strip, Pad, Raft and Piles
What is a strip foundation?
A continuous strip of concrete designed to evenly spread the building loads to a sufficient area of subsoil
When might a strip foundation be used?
On low-medium rise residential buildings
What is a pad foundation?
Isolated pads of concrete which are used to transmit concentrated loads
When might a pad foundation be used?
Typically on a steel frame building that has loads concentrated at particular points
What is a raft foundation?
A continuous raft of concrete used to spread the total load of a building across a large area
When might a raft foundation be used?
Typically on light loaded buildings with a poor bearing capacity.
What are pile foundations?
Columns of reinforced concrete used to transmit the total building loads to an appropriate stratum or by friction or a combination of the two.
What is a friction pile?
The transfer of load through friction between the surface area of the shaft of the pile and the surrounding strata
What is an end bearing pile?
The transfer of load through the end of the pile - little to no frictional transfer
What is a bored pile?
A bored pile (like CFA piling) is cast on site. An auger bores a hole to the appropriate depth (which produces arisings which need to be removed). Concrete is pumped into the void as the auger is removed and reinforcement is lowered into the concrete.
What is a driven pile?
A prefabricated pile which is brought to site and driven into the ground
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bored piles?
Advantages:
- Any size or shape can be formed on site
- No risk in damage during delivering
- Less vibration and noise
Disadvantages:
- Arisings are produced and need to be removed
- Coordination of multiple trades
- Do not improve the load bearing capacity of the surrounding ground
What are the advantages and disadvantages of driven piles?
Advantages:
- Precast to required specifications
- When driven, the surrounding ground is compacted which may improve loading bearing capacity of surrounding ground
- No arisings, clean and neat installation
Disadvantages:
- Requires heavy equipment for delivery
- Significant noise and vibration from driving
- Can be costly if piles are wrong size
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a steel frame?
Steel
Advantages
Light material with a high strength (high strength to weight ratio)
Ease of fabrication - widely produced
Fast to erect and install
Reliable
Durable
Disadvantages
Volatile price
Requires fire protection
Susceptible to corrosion
Challenging to transport longer spans of steel
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a concrete frame?
Concrete
Advantages
Generally cheaper than steel
Good inherent fire stopping properties
Good acoustic properties
Requires little to no maintenance
Disadvantages
Slower to construct than steel
Heavier to requires larger foundations
External variables can affect the quality of in-situ cast concrete
