Construction Technology - Level 1

Question 1

What types of soil are you aware of? And what are their properties?

Answer 1

Clay - fine particles, retains water, shrinks and expands so poor for construciton.

Silt - poor drainage, shrinks and expands so not good for foundations.

Sand - good for drainage and therefore foundations.

Loam - mix of sand, silt and clay. Retains mositure well, whilst also being good for drainage, high PH. Good for foundations.

Question 1

What soil tests are you aware of? And what do they meausre?

Answer 1

Plate Bearing Test - measures differential settlement & bearing capacity of the soil.

Shear Vane Test - measures shear strength of cohesive soils using a rod with vanes to measure the torque.

• Shear Strength: stress a material can take before it reaches failure,
  measured in KiloNewtons.
• Torque: rotationay force.

Standard Penetration Test - sampling tube driven into the ground at the bottom of a borehole by force of a standard size hammer, measures the density of the ground which impacts soils water holding capacity.

PH Test - acidity of the soil.

Question 2

What impact does the soil PH have on foundations?

Answer 2

Acidic Soils: Corrosion of concrete and steel.

Alkaline Soils: led to the formation of expansive clays which swell and shrink causing movement in foundations.

Question 3

What are the 8 GRIP Stages?

Answer 3

1 - Output Definition
2 - Project Feasability
3 - Option Selection
4 - Single Option Development
5 - Detailed Design
6 - Construction, Testing and Commissioning
7 - Scheme Handback
8 - Project Close Out

Question 4

What are the 8 RIBA Stages?

Answer 4

0 - Strategic Definition
1 - Preperation and Briefing
2 - Concept Design
3 - Spaitial Co-ordination
4 - Technical Design
5 - Manufacturing and Construction
6 - Handover
7 - Use

Question 5

What is the purpose of RIBA/GRIP?

Answer 5

It is a project management framework, spliting project stages into clear steps and activities.

Question 6

List some key rail components?

Answer 6

Sand
Geotechnical Membrane
Ballast
Sleepers
Rails
Mast with cantilevers
Overhead Wires

Question 7

What are rail sleepers made from?

Answer 7

Most common sleeper materials are:

• Timber
• Concrete
• Steel

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of timber sleepers?

Answer 8

Advantages:

• Material readily available
• Sustainable
• Realtively low cost

Disadvantages:

• High maintenance cost
• Short life expectancy, upto 20 years depending on conditons
• Subject to decay if not properly treated

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete sleepers?

Answer 9

Advantages:

• Long life expectancy, 40-60 years.
• Strong stability.
• Not subject to decay.

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• No scrap value.
• Extremely heavy and difficullt to lay

Question 10

What is the purpose of ballast

Answer 10

• Helps with drainage
• Keeps vegetation down
• Supports the track and sleepers

Question 11

What is the function of the geotechnical membrane?

Answer 11

• Weed prevention
• Prevents the rise of moisture

Question 12

What are UPS’s and why are they required?

Answer 12

• Uniterupted Power Supply
• Large generator powered off batteries
• Maintains electrical supply to safety critical signaling

Question 13

Can you name some new industry technologies?

Answer 13

• Bi-mode Electrical Trains - electric and battery powered.
• New forms of clamp for supporting railway overhead lines.
• New form of cable troughing that is light weight and more
  sustainable.
• New in cab signalling for trains.

Question 14

How do you keep up to date with the industries emerging technology?

Answer 14

• RICS Modus Articles - reduction of 65% in allotments & Inspiring future professionals , UK requires 244,000 qualified apprentices to plug the gap.
• Internal AtkinsRealis “lunch n learns” - Self-propelled modular transporter.
• Rail Engineer’s website and publications - bi-mode trains.