NCARB Practice Test Flashcards
Which of the following is generally NOT given in a written subsurface investigation report?
o Results of field tests
o Results of laboratory tests
o Recommended types of foundations
o Soil sieve analysis
Soil sieve analysis
Which of the following defines the sudden loss of
shearing resistance in a cohesionless soil?
o Plasticity
o Liquefaction
o A collapsing soil
o An expansive soil
Liquefaction
A measure of the ease with which a particular fluid flows
through the voids of a soil is called
o permeability
o compressibility
o osmosis
o cohesion
permeability
Building failure can often be traced to unstable subsoil
conditions. Which of the following subsurface conditions
is likely to cause differential settlement of building
foundations?
o Large beds of clay contained in gravel
o Small boulders dispersed in gravel
o Stratified rock
o A deep layer of dry sand and gravel
Large beds of clay contained in gravel
In a residential development composed of large building lots, on-site sewage disposal for each lot is permitted subject to the suitability of the soil. Which of the following soil investigations should the architect request?
o Percolation test
o Evaporation test
o Test for soil alkalinity
o Test for soil density
Percolation test
Which of the following would be the best design-with-
climate strategy in the layout of a new town in a cool
region such as Winnipeg or Minneapolis?
o The town structure should be densely grouped; larger building units may be grouped close together but
spaced to utilize sun-heat effects, and the layout
should provide a sheltering effect against winds.
o The preferred design is an open and free layout
of buildings that tend to merge with nature.
o The town structure should be dense and provide
shade, and unit dwellings or groups of buildings should
create court-like areas.
o Buildings should be separated to utilize air movements, and the character of the town fabric should be loose and scattered.
The town structure should be densely grouped; larger building units may be grouped close together but
spaced to utilize sun-heat effects, and the layout
should provide a sheltering effect against winds.
Which of the following loads defines the force fluids exert on structures?
o Hydrostatic
o Dynamic
o Water
o Wedge
Hydrostatic
Assume a project site of 50,000 square feet of land area
and 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area.
At a ratio of 3 square feet of parking area to 1 square foot of gross building area, how many parking spaces are required at 400 square feet per car?
75
Easements are generally placed on private property
to accommodate which of the following?
o Daylight
o Landscaping
o Access
o Setbacks
Access
The characteristic of an existing structure that will
directly affect the thermal environment of adjacent
new construction is its
o mechanical systems
o texture
o shadow pattern
o footprint
shadow pattern
Costs for cutting and filling earth on site are typically
calculated by which of the following?
o Square yards
o Cubic yards
o Acres
o Tonnage
Cubic yards
The most important factor for locating a new retail
center is
o accessibility to market area traffic
o the availability of utilities
o a well-drained level site
o its proximity to employment zone areas
accessibility to market area traffic
In cold climates, vapor barriers are desirable below attic insulation because they
o minimize moisture migration
o serve as secondary waterproofing
o support the insulation
o provide protection from insect infestation
minimize moisture migration
The process of stripping existing vegetation from a site
can cause
o pollution
o disorientation
o defoliation
o erosion
erosion
Land use restrictions imposed by local governmental
authorities include all of the following EXCEPT
o set backs
o covenants
o height and area limitations
o zoning
covenants
All of the following are considered land use
restrictions EXCEPT
o height and area limitations
o accessibility regulations
o zoning ordinances
o set back regulations
accessibility regulations
Foundation design in northern climates can require
footings to be as deep as 5 feet below grade for which of the following reasons?
o Protect against snow drifts
o Rest on undisturbed soil
o Be below frost level
o Resist earthquakes
Be below frost level
The practice of balancing cut and fill is used in
o site grading
o sediment control
o land reclamation
o footing excavation
site grading
A roof overhang on which of the following façades of a
building built in the northern hemisphere will provide
seasonal adjustment for solar radiation?
o North
o South
o East
o West
South
What is the term for the boundaries, property lines, or
limits of a parcel of land, as defined by distances and
compass bearings?
o Chaining
o Datum
o Benchmarks
o Metes and bounds
Metes and bounds
Since contamination in soil typically leads to groundwater contamination, which of the following cleanup technologies can be used to remediate the unsaturated zone?
o Vapor extraction
o Biodegradation
o In situ incineration
o Photolysis
Vapor extraction
Which of the following technologies is most commonly
used in groundwater remediation projects?
o Extraction/treatment
o In situ aeration
o Biological barriers/filters
o Gas chromatography
Extraction/treatment
After sight, which of the following senses is primary to
conveying information about a site?
o Touch
o Hearing
o Smell
o Taste
Hearing
The development potential of a parcel of land can be
affected by the presence of all of the following EXCEPT
o wetlands
o endangered species
o acid rain
o hazardous waste
acid rain
Zoning ordinances promote social vitality within a city
when they include
o strict zoning by land-use category
o high-rise buildings in a park-like setting
o mixed use and overlay zoning
o flexible car-parking ratios
mixed use and overlay zoning
Which of the following is the most important factor in
orientation of residential units?
o Bedrooms should face away from harsh winds.
o As many units as possible should be entirely masked
from breezes.
o West facing units are at a premium.
o Each unit should receive sun for at least part of a
winter day.
Each unit should receive sun for at least part of a
winter day.
Restrictive covenants are typically developed on behalf of
o property owners
o city officials
o design professionals
o civil engineers
property owners
The term “right-of-way” is used to describe
o the right to have first opportunity to purchase real
estate when it becomes available
o the right of taking of land by entering on it in a
peaceable manner
o a right belonging to a party to pass over land of
another
o a right to cross a picket line during a strike
a right belonging to a party to pass over land of
another
A nonconforming but legal structure that existed prior
to the enactment of a land use ordinance is said to be
o an easement
o dedicated
o aggrieved
o grandfathered
grandfathered
Which of the following is correct concerning residential
zoning adjacent to a typical central business district?
o It should be prohibited because land costs are
too high.
o It should be maintained as a viable community asset.
o All substandard existing units should be converted to
commercial use.
o Future units should be available to low-income and
elderly families only.
It should be maintained as a viable community asset
Topography is the most critical criterion when routing
which of the following utility lines?
o Water
o Electrical
o Natural gas
o Storm sewer
Storm sewer
Water-detention areas are used primarily for which of
the following?
o To create swimming and recreation areas
o To provide aesthetically pleasing vistas
o To control surface water runoff
o To act as reservoirs in periods of drought
To control surface water runoff
Which of the following is NOT considered an
environmental impact issue for site analysis?
o Reflections
o Air movement
o Archeological finds
o Sun and shadow patterns
Archeological finds
Increased moisture content in bearing soils can have which of the following effects? Check the two that apply.
o Change in volume
o Reduction in bearing capacity
o Increased cohesion
o Decreased compatibility
Change in volume
Reduction in bearing capacity
Methods to reduce potential vertical movement to a
proposed building due to expansive clay soil conditions
would include the following? Check the four that apply.
o Over-excavate below footing grade and fill with
compacted gravel.
o Waterproof the foundation to reduce filtration
o Extend footings and foundations to a depth of
consistent ground moisture
o Drain surface water away from building foundation
o Plant trees near the building to stabilize the ground
o Control roof water runoff
- Over-excavate below footing grade and fill with
compacted gravel. - Extend footings and foundations to a depth of
consistent ground moisture - Drain surface water away from building foundation
- Control roof water runoff
Which of the following is a key goal of a contextual design approach to site design?
A. Integration with below grade infrastructure
B. Harmony with surroundings
C. Diversity with contradiction
D. Modification of existing archetypes
B. Harmony with surroundings
Which of the following is the primary use of detention basins on a newly developed site?
A. Create an on site pond for evaporative cooling
B. Contain heavy rain runoff and control the discharge rate
C. Collect site and building runoff for site irrigation
D. Provide for bioremediation
B. Contain heavy rain runoff and control the discharge rate
Which of the following site features would be exempt from accessibility requirements? Check all three that apply.
- Temporary bleachers at a football stadium
- Temporary ATM facility
- Construction trailers
- Portable parade reviewing stands
- Prison guard towers
- Referee platforms
- Construction trailers
- Prison guard towers
- Referee platforms
Which of the following are characteristics of plastic lumber in relation to tree lumber? Check the three that apply.
- It is considerably lighter than tree lumber
- It will not bow or warp with age
- It can be sawn and drilled the same as tree lumber.
- It is lower in material cost than tree lumber.
- It is not subject to damage from insects.
- It is much stiffer than tree lumber.
- It will not bow or warp with age
- It can be sawn and drilled the same as tree lumber.
- It is not subject to damage from insects.
