Environmental & Contextual Conditions Flashcards
What is the definition of Architectural Programming?
Refers to an important early part of the design process, where you identify and organize the architectural, functional, aesthetic, operational and budgetary needs of your client. This information is then used to guide decision making.
Name the five phases that are performed during programming:
- Gathering Data
- Establishing Goals
- Mapping Function
- Setting Priorities
- Researching Requirements
What are four items that should be considered during programming?
- Building Function
- Building Form
- Project Budget
- Project Schedule
Describe the programming process
- Discuss the goals of the project with the owner
- Organize all projects specific information
- Determine building hierarchy of spaces
- Determine priorities of the owner
- Develop problem that must be solved through building design
If done correctly, Programming should
- Clarify the Owner’s intentions.
- Set a mutually agreed upon direction
for the design. - Reduce change orders during
construction. - Minimize disputes between Owner and
Architect - Establish a basis for resolving
differences of opinion. - Minimize redundancy from wasted
spaces or poor relationships.
What is an aquifer?
An aquifer is a layer of water flowing underground, sometimes referred to as an
underground stream.
The presence of an aquifer could supply fresh water to the building, or limit the
depth of the foundations.
What is Soil Load
Bearing Capacity?
Bearing capacity refers to the maximum amount of pressure a foundation soil can bear without harmful settlement.
Name 4 soil types and
their capacities.
- Bedrock: 10,000 psf (pounds per square foot)
- Well graded gravel or sand: 3,000 – 12,000 psf
- Compacted sand or fill: 2,000 – 3,000 psf
- Silt or Clay: 1,000 – 4,000 psf
What is a ground water
table?
The layer below the surface soil when it is saturated soil. Sometimes this water table
is 2 feet below the surface, sometimes it is 200 feet below.
The depth of the water table will determine the type of foundation you can use, if you will need expensive waterproofing, or if a
basement would even be possible.
Soil types are classified
based on:
The sizes of the particles of the soil.
Name the soil types.
Gravel: well drained and able to bear loads (+2 mm)
Sand: well drained and can serve as foundation when graded (0.5 - 2 mm)
Silt: stable when dry, swells when frozen, do not use when wet (.002 - .05 mm)
Clay: must be removed, too stiff when dry and too plastic when wet (< .002 mm)
Which soil type is considered the best to build on?
Bedrock and Gravel
What is a percolation
test and when would it
be used?
A Percolation Test is used to evaluate the rate at which soil will absorb water on a site.
This test is necessary for septic draining or leach fields.
What is a proctor test?
A Proctor Test is used to calculate the maximum density that is required for the soil on a project site.
This test evaluates the native soils in both dry and wet conditions to determine the potential negative qualities of the soil.
It is performed by dropping a hammer on a sample of soil several times and then dried for a period of time.
Name the four different
levels of soil.
Level A - Topsoil, essential for growth of plants and takes a long time to develop.
Level B - Minerals, lies below the plants roots and supports life.
Level C - Weathered and fractured rock with little biological activity.
Level D - Solid bedrock.
Can soil bearing
capacity be increased?
If so, how?
Soils can increase bearing capacity by: fill, compaction, or surcharging.
Define compaction and
surcharging.
Compaction - compressing soils to release air trapped between the grains. Creates
higher bearing capacity.
Surcharging - adding soils to a site in order to increase the weight on the soils and aid in compaction. Lengthy process could take
6-12 months.
Why is the location of the frost line important?
The frost line indicates the level where soil freezes.
The top of footings should be at or below the frost line, which avoids damage to the
foundation de to moisture changes throughout the year.
Describe the angle of repose.
The Angle of Repose describes how soils form mounds when loose.
Sand and gravel are stiff soils and will have steeper angles of repose as compared to soft silts and clays.
What should you do if you discover large quantities of organic soils on a site?
This soil will likely need to be removed and replaced with an appropriate fill material.
Otherwise, foundation piles would need to extend through to solid bedrock or bearing soils.
Define safe bearing capacity.
The Safe Bearing Capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times.
This ensures the site will not endure the full ultimate bearing capacity and helps to avoid structural failure.
Define Ecology.
Ecology is the science of the relationship between an organism or community and its environment.
The community comprises of all the living plants and animals occupying a given area.
What are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?
- Install solar panels
- Increase the amount of insulation in the walls
- Use insulated windows
- Orient building to sun to control heat gain
- Install light colored roof
- Use efficient light bulbs
What are 5 strategies to
reduce water use?
- Use drip irrigation system for landscaping
- Use low-flow or waterless toilets
- Use native species and drought tolerant plants
- Collect graywater from showers and laundry and reuse to water yard or flush toilets
- Collect rainwater for reuse
Describe how to determine the grade or slope of a site.
g = V/H(100) g = the grade of slope V = the rise or vertical distance H = the run or horizontal distance Multiply by 100 to convert into a percentage.
