First 20

Question 0

Describe underpinning cement and grout and when it is used

Answer 0

A non shrink mortar compressed in the joints between the existing structure and the underpinning structure in the pinning up operation

Question 1

Describe jacked in piles in the strip footing and where would this be used

Answer 1

There are used immediately under the existing foundations in order to avoid internal work

Question 2

Describe non cohesive soils

Answer 2

Usually are sand and gravels , compact granular soils are subject to a small amount of compression when loaded, this settlement stops on completion of the building

Question 3

Describe cohesive soils and give example

Answer 3

Clay , the compressibility if clay is considerable, settlement may continue for years, because the reduction n the volume is due largely to expulsions of water from the pore which is slow because of the low permeability of clay

Question 4

What does s.v.b relate to

Answer 4

Relates to moisture content and magnitude of settlement

Question 5

List 4 reasons for site investigation

Answer 5

• type of footing most suitable
• size of footing
• design of structure
• need for preliminaries

Question 6

Describe what a penetrometer test is used for and what type of soil it is soiled in

Answer 6

Is a device used to measure compaction of soils, used to sand

Question 7

Describe the different type of soil classes ASMHEP

Answer 7

A stable sand
S slightly movement 
M moderately reactive clay
H highly reactive clay
E extremely reactive 
P poor soils

Question 8

Describe the part a footing plays in the structural well being of the house

Answer 8

Transfers the weight of the house to the foundation

Question 9

Describe shallow footing

Answer 9

Safe bearing soil and is located near the foundation surface

Question 10

Define a deep footing

Answer 10

Used to transfer loads to the foundation far below the basement

Question 11

Describe and draw a a beam to raft slab

Answer 11

This is used where the loads are great and slab thicker than 300mm is required.

Question 12

Describe a solid raft slab

Answer 12

Up to 300 mm thick , has 2 way reinforcement and where columns are located additions reinforcement is required

Question 13

What is a displacement pile and why is it used

Answer 13

Displacement piles are driven so that the soul is forced aside or displaced , these can be further divided onto large or small displacements

Question 14

List 4 reasons for sheet piling

Answer 14

• enclose a site to prevent soil movement or retain stresses within the building site
• to act as a retaining wall
• to protect foundation from sub soil water
• to act as a coffee dam for footings under water