Environmental Factors

Question 1

GRAVEL

Answer 1

well-drained, bears loads

2mm or larger

Question 2

SAND

Answer 2

well-drained; can serve as foundation if graded

0.5-2mm

Question 3

SILT

Answer 3

stable when dry, swells when frozen

0.002-0.5mm

Question 4

CLAY

Answer 4

to stiff when dry and too plastic when wet

0.002 mm or smaller

Question 5

Human comfort
winter
summer
humidity

Answer 5

63-71 degrees
66-75 degrees
30-60% is tolerable
75% or more is uncomfortable

Question 6

Wind speed
unnoticeable
pleasant
pleasant and noticeable
drafty
uncomfortable

Answer 6

unnoticeable: less than 50 feet/min.
pleasant: 50-100 ft/min.
pleasant and noticeable:100-200 ft/min.
drafty: 200-300 ft/min.
uncomfortable: over 300 ft/min.

Question 7

U-factor

Answer 7

high: fast heat transmission
low: low heat transmission

Question 8

R-value

Answer 8

inverse of U

high: high thermal resistance
low: low thermal resistance

Question 9

8 areas most to least tolerant of development, according to Ian McHarg’s Design With Nature

Answer 9

surface water
marsh
floodplain
aquifer recharge area
aquifer
steep slope
forests/woodland
flat land (except prime agricultural land)

Question 10

100 YEAR FLOOD

Answer 10

flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year

Question 11

INFILTRATION BASIN

Answer 11

temporarily collects water and only releases by absorption into the earth; recharges groundwater

Question 12

CATCH BASIN

Answer 12

temporarily collects water and dumps into storm sewer

Question 13

BIOSWALE

Answer 13

grassy sloped ditch that filters storm runoff and directs away from impermeable areas. allows water to seep into ground and helps recharge aquifers

Question 14

CISTERN

Answer 14

tank for collecting and storing water; often a rainwater harvest system for irrigation and non-potable uses

Question 15

ALBEDO

Answer 15

measure of solar reflectance; 0 is flat black and 1 is mirror

Question 16

angle of repose for:
loose, wet clay or silt
compact dry clay
wet sand
dry sand

Answer 16

loose, wet clay or silt: 30%
compact dry clay: 100%
wet sand: 80%
dry sand:65%

Question 17

DESIGN FOR HOT ARID CLIMATE

Answer 17

minimize sun exposure and effects of wind
use small windows
optimize thermal mass for big temperature swing
cluster buildings to shade each other

Question 18

DESIGN FOR HOT HUMID CLIMATE

Answer 18

minimize sun exposure and maximize natural ventilation
use lightweight construction to minimize radiant heat
space buildings far apart to allow breezes

Question 19

DESIGN FOR TEMPERATE CLIMATE

Answer 19

maximize solar gain in winter and minimize in summer
maximize breezes in summer and minimize in winter
take advantage of daylighting opportunities

Question 20

DESIGN FOR COLD CLIMATE

Answer 20

orient buildings and openings for maximum protection from cold winds
use small windows and compact shapes to minimize heat loss
use south-facing windows to maximize solar gain