Construction Technology (Master) Flashcards
Please explain how pre-cast concrete panels works?
- Pre-cast concrete panels are made up of precast concrete faced with bricks
- Glazing assemblies (windows) are incorporated off site to create a story high modular cladding panel.
- Each cladding panel is dead loaded at it base to the concrete slab and fixed to the slab above
- Fire stops are installed at slab edge
- Pre-cast panels overlap to hide vertical joints that retain brick aesthetics
Elements (looking from the face of slab/structural column): Vapour control panel, mineral wool insulation, fire stopping (fixed to the structural column, Precast concrete panel, double glazed unit, brick facing
Please explain how the glazing curtain wall works?
- Glazing curtain wall is made of aluminium frame with double glazed unit.
- Glazing clips are used to restrain the glass on vertical edge and structural silicone is used on the horizontal edge
- Mullions are incorporated into the panel to dived unit in half as per design
- External shading louvres are fixed back to mullions via stainless stell support brackets
- Fire stops at the edge of the slab
Elements: aluminium frame, double glazed unit, shedding louvres, mullions.
Please explain what Aluminium rainscreen is made of?
- Aluminium rainscreen is fabricated from aluminium sheeting panel that are fixed to the vertical support rial in the lower joint between panel.
- Air cavity/ Ventilation zone is created between the cladding panel and concrete backing wall.
- Insulation layer (mineral wool insulation and water proof membrane) is installed between the concrete backing wall and air cavity/ventilation zone.
Elements (from concrete backing walls): water proof membrane mineral wool insulation, Vertical aluminium support rail, Air cavity/ ventilation zone, aluminium cladding panel.
What is a roof lantern?
- Roof lantern is made of several glasses fixed together to create a £D shape; can be pyramid or box that raises above the roof.
- This is a daylighting architectural element, which is normally part of a larger roof allowing natural light into the space/room
What are the Roof lights?
Rooflights (sometimes described as ‘roof lights’ or ‘skylights’) are windows built into the roof of a building.
What is the difference between the roof light and roof lantern?
- shape: roof light is flat (2D dimension) whereas roof later is of the 3D pyramid or box shape
- design: due to 3D shape roof lantern provide more natural lights or ventilations
- Installation: roof lantern installation is more difficult and impact on overall cost.
- cost: Roof lantern are more expensive than roof lights due to the shape, glazing area and difficulties in installation (nearly 300% cost increase at PW)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of roof lantern?
Advantages:
- Design: They add a visually attractive element to the building
- Lighting: Providing natural light
- Size: Lanterns can be built bigger overall since you have smaller pieces of glass that are connected with plastic or aluminium frames
Disadvantages:
- Solar natural warmth can lead to an increase in room temperature and additional cooling may be required
- Difficult to maintain – cleaning is difficult
- Higher cost material and installation cost when compared to flat roof lights due to size and difficulty of installation
How did you advice the Client about roof lights element on PW?
- During Stage 4 Design, I took part in monthly design meeting where the Design Team introduced the new design changing the roof light to roof lantern.
- I reviewed the Client’s briefing and scope documents to ensure that the proposed solution is in line with Client’s requirements
- I reviewed previous drawings and BIM model and identify Stage 3 Cost Plan allowances (30
- I reviewed new drawings, measured the rooflights and priced the new design.
- I produced short report summarising the change and its implication.
- I attended meeting with the Client where we discussed the change its aesthetics and I explained the cost difference.
What is a lift car?
Lift car is a cabin which transport passages or goods between the levels of building.
Can you name any regulations related to Lifts?
- The Lifts Regulations 2016 – obligations of installers, manufactures, distributes etc.
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) - provide guidance on lifts used by workers in workplaces. It requires lifts to be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months or, in the case of goods-only lifts, every 12 months.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings
- The Equality Act 2010, requires that buildings must be accessible to people with disabilities. BS 8300 recommends that multi-storey buildings provide at least one accessible lift for wheelchair users.
- There are a number of British Standards that apply to lifts:
- BS EN 81, Safety rules for construction and installation of lifts.
- BS 5588, Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings.
What are the main components of lift?
- Lift car cabin
- The Sheave and Motor
- Control unit
- Cable/Rope
- The counter weight
- Hoistway
What types of lifts are you awere of?
- Platform lifts
- Passenger lifts
- Service lifts
- Disable access lifts
How lifts works?
- Lift car/cabin is connected by metal robe/cable into sheeve/pulley wheel
- The sheeve/pulley wheel allow the lift car to be move up and down and it’s powered by lift motor with counter weight used to balance the car lift weight.
How did you advice the Client regarding lift car finishes options on NCA Project?
- I reviewed the Client’s brief for a change
- I discussed potential options with the Design Manager to proposed best option
- I measured relevant quantities (GIFA for floor and lift wall area) and provided a budget estimate for each option.
- I provide a report summarising two options in terms of key features and cost differences
- I presented information to the client advising on differences of both options (vinyl and laminated wood panels) in comparation with stainless steel design currently in the scope.
What are the differences between laminated wooden, vinyl and stainless steel materials?
1. Vinyl
- Budget friendly (average £20 to £50/m2)
- Durability 15 to 20 years
- Water and stain resistant
- Difficult to repair
2. Laminated Wooden
- Average costs £30 to £60/m2
- Durability 10 to 30 years
- Environmentally-friendly construction material
- High strength to weight ratio
- water and stain resistance
- improved aesthetics
3. Stainless steel
- Average cost £20 to £40
- Durability 15 to 25 years
- water resistance
- easy to maintain
- design flexibility
What type of wood was used for finishes on NCA?
laminated oak panels.
What does it mean to wood is laminated?
A wood laminate is a thin sheet of material used to cover the core of a wood project in order to change the appearance of the material.
What do you need to consider when design a lift finishes?
- Fire resistance
- Weight of materials
- Feasibility and accessibility
- if there is CCTV/phone/speakers required
- relevant regulations and standards (BS)
What is an average cost of lift?
- depending on the design specifics, most of the lift’s are bespoken as they may be design for different heigh and capacity as well as type of lift.
- On NCA Project the cost was £100k per 13 people lift, £90k for 8 people lift and £15k for platform lift.
What is mullion?
Mulion is a a vertical bar between the panes of glass in a window that dividing the window.
What is a A Vapour Control Layer?
A Vapour Control Layer is a plastic layer that restricts the movement of warm, moist air from inside a property into the fabric of the building
What are the External shading louvres?
The external louvres are blinds or shutters with horizontal slats that limit a solar exposure, but still allow light.
What are ground investigation?
Ground investigations are a means of determining the condition of the ground, ideally before beginning construction works. They focus specifically on intrusive geotechnical work such as trial pits and boreholes
What is a site investigation?
- Site Investigation is the process of collecting information, assessment of the data and reporting potential hazards about the site which are unknown.
- tend to involve the collation of general information from the client, from desk studies, walkover surveys, and so on.