Construction Technology (Level1/2/3) Flashcards
How does planning permission impact on design?
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
What other legislation impacts on construction?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2017
How does the age of the building affect construction methods?
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
What are the RIBA stages?
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.
Can you give me examples of 2 alternative air condition systems?
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
What do you understand by the term bus bar?
A busbar is a rigid conductor used for connecting together several electrical circuits
Where would you expect to see a bus bar?
Fuse board, MCC, HV Switchboard
Can you give me some examples of alternative drainage systems?
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)
What are the advantages of a steel framed building over a concrete frame?
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
What are Building Regs?
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
Main components of concrete?
Cement
Aggregate
Water
What are British Standards?
They give recommended minimum standard for materials and components
What are the Employers Asset Standards & Specs?
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)
Main site considerations?
Access
Storage
Accommodation
Services
Plant
H&S Risks
Environmental Considerations
Process for a clean water site?
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
Dirty water treatment process?
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
Different retaining wall methods?
Sheet Piles
Soil Mixing
Seacant Piles
Explain the soil mixing process?
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
Typical roadway construction?
Sub-base
Base course
Binder course
Surface course
What does COMAH stand for?
Control of Major Accident Hazards
What is dewatering, how is it done?
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
Verulam Rd - Can you explain how you worked up the analysis of the different construction methodologies?
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
Runcorn WTW - What other solutions did you consider in lieu of r/c tanks?
We considered GRP tanks, however these didn’t offer the same monetary savings as liner-based storage tanks
Runcorn WTW - Did you consider whole life costings as part of the design change?
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
Oswestry WTW Project - Why were you asked to consider the hypochlorite system?
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
Oswestry WTW Project - Can you explain how you worked up the comparative analysis of the two chemical systems and how you presented your findings?
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
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?
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
How did you determine the comparative whole life costs of the centrifuge versus the presses?
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
Which solution was the project originally based upon, given the significant difference in cost and time?
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
Construction Tech - Discuss the advice you gave, and your reasoning
Oswestry WTW - OSEC v Sodium Hypochlorite
Oswestry WTW - Sludge Centrifuge v Sludge Press
