Construction Technology (Level1/2/3)

Question 1

How does planning permission impact on design?

Answer 1

Planning Obligations - design obligations attached to land that is the subject of a planning permission, such as compensation for the loss of open space, or making a contribution to the provision of additional infrastructure, such as a new classroom at a school
Planning Conditions - Rather than refusing a planning app, a local authority might grant permission, but with conditions. These conditions might impact the design, such as the colour or type of materials

Question 2

What other legislation impacts on construction?

Answer 2

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2017

Question 3

How does the age of the building affect construction methods?

Answer 3

Built using traditional methods such as masonry, timber framing
Older buildings may not meet current building regulations
May have been constructed using materials that are no longer commonly used or may have degraded over time
Buildings of historical or cultural significance may be subject to preservation regulations and guidelines aimed at protecting their heritage value

Question 4

What are the RIBA stages?

Answer 4

Stage 0: Strategic Definition.
Stage 1: Preparation and Briefing.
Stage 2: Concept Design.
Stage 3: Spatial Coordination.
Stage 4: Technical Design.
Stage 5: Manufacturing and Construction.
Stage 6: Handover.
Stage 7: Use.

Question 5

Can you give me examples of 2 alternative air condition systems?

Answer 5

Ground source heating and cooling systems use the earth’s stable subterranean temperature to regulate the indoor climate
Earth source heating and cooling systems use the outside temperature to regulate the indoor climate
Dense vegetation helps to keep cities cool in summer

Question 6

What do you understand by the term bus bar?

Answer 6

A busbar is a rigid conductor used for connecting together several electrical circuits

Question 7

Where would you expect to see a bus bar?

Answer 7

Fuse board, MCC, HV Switchboard

Question 8

Can you give me some examples of alternative drainage systems?

Answer 8

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
- reed beds (plants that remove pollutants from wastewater)
- rainwater butts (stores rainwater rather than it flowing into the drainage system)
- permeable paving (paving that lets water soak through to the ground)
- green walls and roofs (absorb rainwater)

Question 9

What are the advantages of a steel framed building over a concrete frame?

Answer 9

Strength - withstand higher pressures, less likely to crack
Durability - will not deteriorate over time, require less maintenance
Eco-friendly - lowest carbon footprint
Time - quicker fabricate, manufacture and install

Question 10

What are Building Regs?

Answer 10

Statutory regulations that set out the minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings
UUCESWI is the specifications we must comply with in the water industry

Question 11

Main components of concrete?

Answer 11

Cement
Aggregate
Water

Question 12

What are British Standards?

Answer 12

They give recommended minimum standard for materials and components

Question 13

What are the Employers Asset Standards & Specs?

Answer 13

WIMES - Water Industry Mechanical & Electrical Spec
UUCESWI - UU Civil Engineering Specification for the Water Industry
UUSS - UU Standard Specifications (S01 General Requirements, S03 Mech Requirements)

Question 14

Main site considerations?

Answer 14

Access
Storage
Accommodation
Services
Plant
H&S Risks
Environmental Considerations

Question 15

Process for a clean water site?

Answer 15

Screening - to remove any large debris
Flocculation - Chemical added to join particles together
Filtering - RGF/SSF to remove this large particles
Chemical Dosing - Chlorine added to kill off any remaining bacteria

Question 16

Dirty water treatment process?

Answer 16

Screening - Remove any large debris
Settlement - Solids sink and are removed as sludge
Aeration - Air blown in causing good bacteria to break down bad bacteria
Filtering - SSF remove any particles

Question 17

Different retaining wall methods?

Answer 17

Sheet Piles
Soil Mixing
Seacant Piles

Question 18

Explain the soil mixing process?

Answer 18

Mixing tool similar to rotary bored piling rig augers into the ground
The soil is de-structured as the mixing tool is drilled to the required depth
As the tool is withdrawn from the bore, cement grout is injected and mixed in-situ with the de-aggregated soils
When sets it forms solid ground

Question 19

Typical roadway construction?

Answer 19

Sub-base
Base course
Binder course
Surface course

Question 20

What does COMAH stand for?

Answer 20

Control of Major Accident Hazards

Question 21

What is dewatering, how is it done?

Answer 21

Removal of water from sludge to form a solid cake
Cake is them disposed of, whilst the water removed is recycled in the system
Can be done by:
- Sludge Press - Thickens by compression
- Centrifuge - Thickens by centrifugal force

Question 22

Verulam Rd - Can you explain how you worked up the analysis of the different construction methodologies?

Answer 22

When analysing the different construction methodologies for the retaining wall, I produced a presentation, which was structured in a clear and organised manner, providing relevant context, and highlighting key features and differences between each methodology.
It first provided an overview of the problem that the different methodologies aimed to address
I then provided a brief overview of each methodology, Sheet Piling, Seacant Piles and DSM.
I then compared each methodology based on:
- Best value solution
- Programme impact
- Health and safety benefits.
- Reduced impact on third parties
- Reduced carbon footprint
I then concluded providing my recommendation based on project requirements and client requirements

Question 23

Runcorn WTW - What other solutions did you consider in lieu of r/c tanks?

Answer 23

We considered GRP tanks, however these didn’t offer the same monetary savings as liner-based storage tanks

Question 24

Runcorn WTW - Did you consider whole life costings as part of the design change?

Answer 24

Yes, we have to provide the lowest value solution to the client, therefore had to not only consider the capital cost, but all associated construction costs, plus operation, maintenance, repair/replacement costs

Question 25

Oswestry WTW Project - Why were you asked to consider the hypochlorite system?

Answer 25

The hypochlorite system was tendered, therefore I was tasked at looking as to whether there was a solution that offered better value to the client, whilst also reducing our risks

Question 26

Oswestry WTW Project - Can you explain how you worked up the comparative analysis of the two chemical systems and how you presented your findings?

Answer 26

When analysing the two chemical systems, I produced a presentation, which was structured in a clear and organised manner, providing relevant context, and highlighting key features and differences between each methodology.
It first provided an overview of the requirement that the different methodologies addressed
I then provided a brief overview of each methodology, OSEC and Sodium Hypochlorite
I then compared each methodology based on:
- Best value solution
- Programme impact
- Health and safety benefits
- Reduced carbon footprint
I then concluded providing my recommendation based on project requirements and client requirements

Question 27

In addition to the saving of the materials (salt versus sodium hypochlorite) over time, what other whole life costs did you take into account between the two options?

Answer 27

Capital Costs - OSEC System, compared to storage tanks and manual dosing lines
Operational Costs - Food Grade salt cheaper than sodium hypochlorite. Storage of chemicals to comply with COMAH meant higher operational costs
Maintenance Costs - Both systems similar
Repair/replacement costs - List of spare parts which require replacing over its asset life due to wear and tear were factored into my calculations

Question 28

How did you determine the comparative whole life costs of the centrifuge versus the presses?

Answer 28

Whole life cost is:
Capital Cost - Lower for Centrifuge than Presses
Operational Cost - Sludge press required greater levels of polymer / liquid, therefore over the asset life of the plant, this was demonstrated a saving with Centrifuges
Maintenance Costs - Both systems similar
Repair/replacement costs - List of spare parts which require replacing over its asset life due to wear and tear were factored into my calculations

Question 29

Which solution was the project originally based upon, given the significant difference in cost and time?

Answer 29

Originally based on Presses - This is because they are what is currently used Oswestry WTW, therefore a tried and tested method
The programme saving didn’t impact completion, it just removed any risk surrounding this package of work and the critical path

Question 30

Construction Tech - Discuss the advice you gave, and your reasoning

Answer 30

Oswestry WTW - OSEC v Sodium Hypochlorite
Oswestry WTW - Sludge Centrifuge v Sludge Press