Programming & Analysis (PA) Flashcards
I = PAT
Impact = population x affluence x technology
Landscape fragmentation & impacts
Loss of cohesive patterns of connectedness in a landscape. Negatively impacts biodiversity and landscape resilience.
Qualifiers for Sustainable material selection (4)
Regionally available, sustainably harvested, low impact, and reused/recycled.
Sustainable energy design (2)
Energy conservation and use of regenerative energy sources
Sustainability elements to consider
Material selection, energy consumption, water use, waste, lighting, construction methods, site development practices
Building for Economic and Environmental Standards (BEES)
Evaluates the life cycle costs and environmental impacts of building materials in 10 areas of concern
5 LEED Categories
Site design and planning, energy use, water management, materials resources and waste, indoor environmental quality
BEES Life Cycle Assessment - 10 lmpacts
- Global warming potential
- Acidification potential
- Eutrophication potential
- Natural resource depletion
- IAQ impacts
- Solid waste impacts
- Smog
- Ecological toxicity
- Human toxicity
- Ozone depletion
Green building material requirements (9)
- Recycled / salvaged
- FSC wood
- Short term renewable (10 years)
- Toxin free
- Reduced material volume
- Low manufacturing footprint
- HVAC efficient
- Reusable or recyclable
- Locally sourced
ABS Piping
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. Used for waste pipes but contains very toxic materials and is expensive to manufacture.
Cast Iron pipe
No more durable than PVC but manufacturing has high environmental and energy impacts.
Dangers of PVC
Highly toxic manufacturing, not reusable or recyclable, cannot be safely burned.
Dangers of Cement Dust
High alkalinity can tamper with local groundwater PH and potentially harm aquatic life
Fly Ash Concrete
Add mixture for cement that uses by-product of burning coal. Increases strength of concrete mix and reduces the amount of Portland cement required.
What is the Brownfield Movement?
1990s push to find effective uses for abandoned and environmentally unsafe properties
Strategies for minimizing disturbed area
Clustering buildings, increasing density, and encouraging smaller building footprints
CINDI
Center for Integration of Natural Disaster Information
Info on local site hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, flood, etc.
What contributed to the transition of nomadism to urbanism?
Agriculture, religion, surplus of food, ceremony, and leadership.
Land Ordinance of 1785
Rectangular survey system for areas west of the Pennsylvania Ohio border. (16) 6x6 mile townships divided into 36 sections to make up a town.
Catchment Area
Region of primary market for a certain development (I.e. patrons at a proposed supermarket or students in a district)
Proxemics
Observations and theories of the use of space and how it defines a culture
Behavior settings
Locations and conditions of a location associated with ritual.
What utilities are typically found under roadways?
Sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and water mains
What utilities are typically found adjacent to roadways?
Electrical, telecommunications, and gas
Albedo
Solar reflectance. Measured on a scale of 0-1
What are wetlands protected from?
Damage due to development, discharge, and destruction
What areas are not suitable for development?
- wetlands and sites within 100ft
- elevations lower than 5 ft above 100 year floodplain
- habitats for endangered species
- historic sites
- farm land
Key elements of selecting BUILDING LOCATION
- existing infrastructure
- contribution to mixed use
- public transportation / pedestrian
- minimize vegetation clearing
- minimize shadow on adjacent bldgs
- maximize airflow
- use of gravity sewer systems
Key elements when deciding BUILDING GEOMETRY
- minimize building footprint
- optimize material use and limit waste
- high reflectance roof (or green)
- providing bicycle storage
Bioswale
Shallow grass-lined ditch or channel designed to detain storm runoff and remove contaminants through phytoremediation
What agency keeps topographical information of the US and located floodplains?
US Geological Survey (USGS)
NFPA 1
Fire code
NFPA 101
Life safety code
NFPA 70
Electrical code
ANSI Standard A117.1
Accessible and Usable Building Facilities. What ADA requirements are based on
After ICC issues an update to IBC, how much time does a state have to adopt it?
No time limit.
Steiner Tunnel Test
Surfacing burning test for interior finishes. Establishes a flame spread index (FSI). Part of ASTM E84
SDI
Smoke Developed Index
What does zoning primarily regulate?
- what the parcel can be used for
- how much can be covered by bldg
- how large structures can be
- setbacks
- parking requirements
What are 3 kinds of covenants?
- restrictive
- affirmative
- conditional
What factors are impacted by occupancy classification?
- maximum area of building
- maximum allowable height (in height and number of stories)
- how the building is separated from other structures
- egress design
- use of fire partitions
What are the critical things to determine during programming?
- Occupancy
- Construction Type
- Max Allowable Area & Height
- Energy Conservation Appraoch
What are the least and most fire resistive construction types?
Type I (most resistive)
Type V (least resistive)
What do the A & B suffixes mean on construction types?
Whether or not the building is fire-protected. A is protected, B is not.
What factors should be determined at the start of schematic design? (After initial code review and and programming is completed)
- Calculate the occupant load of the building
- Complete in depth code review
What climatic influences are part of schematic design?
- Solar orientation
- Design strategies for climatic regions
- Alternative Energy Systems
Solar Altitude
Sun’s angle above the horizon
Azimuth
Sun’s angle north/south from an east/west line.
What is the best overall building orientation for the northern hemisphere?
Long edge facing south with a 5-25 degree angle east or west.
What are (5) examples of sun shading that keeps the building cool in summer and warms it up in winter?
- Overhangs
- Shades
- Louvers
- Vertical Baffles
- Deciduous trees
What are (4) energy efficiency techniques for cold climates?
- Use as little surface area as possible (cube)
- Large south facing windows
- Use dark colors for exterior
- High thermal mass interior finishes
What are (3) energy efficiency techniques for hot, humid climates?
- Narrow floor plans for easy cross ventilation
- Provide shade at all openings
- Use light exterior colors
What are (4) energy efficiency techniques for hot, arid climates?
- Use small surface area-volume ratio
- Minimize opening sizes
- Provide shade at openings
- Use light colors at building exterior
- Use materials with high thermal mass
What are methods for passive solar heating?
- orient building within 15 degrees of true south.
- use thermal mass to capture heat
- plant deciduous trees along south
Radiative Cooling
Used thermal mass to tire heat during the day and releases to the outside at night
Ground Coupling
Uses stable coolness of the earth to cool a building using a ground source heat pump
Passive Solar Cooling
Uses concepts of shading, natural ventilation, radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and ground coupling
Natural cooling strategies
- use passive solar cooling
- trees and other landscape to shade
- use shading devices
- minimize glazed areas on east and west facades
- use light or reflective materials
- limit use of paving
- take advantage of wind patterns
What are the four main alternative energy systems?
- Passive solar heating
- Natural cooling
- Active Solar
- Photovoltaics
What is the US Public Land Survey?
A grid system that establishes site boundaries. Made up of parallels (horizontal) and meridians (vertical). The grid is spaced 24 miles square
Describe this designation:
T.13N, R.7E, 6th PM
Township 13 North, Range 7 east of the 6th principal meridian
How many acres are in a land section?
640 (80x80)
How many square meters are in a hectare (acre)?
10,000
Slope formula
G=d/Lx100%
Slope = vertical / horizontal
Building use on slopes 0%-4%
Usable for all types and easy to build on.
Building use on slopes 4%-10%
Suitable for informal movement and outdoor activity. Can be built on with little difficulty
Building use on slopes 10%
Difficult to build on and difficult to climb / plan activity
What is the maximum slope for a landscaped slope?
50%
What is the max slope for a road?
10%
What is considered a high water table?
6-8ft below grade
What is the water table?
Underground level in which the soil is saturated with water
Runoff Coefficient
Fraction of the total precipitation that is not absorbed into the ground
What is a silt fence?
Temporary fence designed to allow water to pass through while filtering sediment. Placed along the perimeter of construction sites.
What are the 4 grain classifications of soil?
Gravel (over 2mm)
Sand (.05mm-2mm)
Silt (.002mm-.05mm)
Clay(under .002mm)
What are geological considerations when determining site feasibility?
- soil types
- moisture content
- depth of topsoil
- depth to water table
- depth to bedrock
- drainage characteristics
- soil fertility
- rock outcroppings
- susceptibility to compaction
What is hydrology?
The occurrence, movement, and quality of water on site
Where can you find a map of the US floodplains?
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
What is a brownfield?
Property whose development may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances.
How far must water mains be separated from sewer lines?
10ft
What is REDM
Reflector-less Electromagnetic Distance Measurer
What is Rectified Photography?
Digital image capture where the focal plane of the camera is set parallel to a facade to generate a scaled orthographic image
Stereophotogrammetry
Two overlapping photographs that make a 3d drawing
Convergent Photogrammetry
Photos taken of an object from different angles to generate a 3d scaled image. Slower than laser scanning but more accurate
Where can you find regulations of historic preservation and a listing of historical landmark listings?
The Historic Preservation Service of the National Parks Service
Where can rehabilitation standards be found?
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
What are the 4 historical treatment approaches?
- Preservation
- Rehabilitation
- Restoration
- Reconstruction
“Attempts to retain historic fabric through conservation, maintenance, and repair”
Preservation
“Emphasizes retention and repair of historic materials but gives latitude to replacement due to deterioration”
Rehabilitation
“Focuses on retention of materials from the most significant time in a property’s history, while permitting removal of materials from other periods”
Restoration
“Allows the opportunity to recreate a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, etc”
Reconstruction
What is the name of the regulatory requirements for rehabilitation and associated tax credits?
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program
How to protect and maintain historic masonry
Ensure proper drainage from joints and cavities. Clean with low pressure water and gentle detergents
How to repair historic masonry
Hand rake joints and repoint. Avoid mortars with high Portland cement content
How to replace historic masonry
Reproduce the existing physical features or use a compatible substitute
What are the steps to treat historic masonry per the Historic Preservation Service of the National Parks Service? (5)
- Protect & Maintain
- Repair
- Replace
- Remove Features from Other Periods
- Recreate Missing Features
What are the 5 steps to programming?
- Establish Goals
- Collect Facts
- Uncover Concepts
- Determine Needs
- State the Problem
Four major considerations during programming
- Function
- Form
- Economy
- Time
How many SF does a student need?
15-20 sf
How many SF does an office worker need?
100-250 sf
Benchmarking
Establishing common standards for rooms, spaces, and activities based on the measurement of similar facilities
What makes up the gross building area?
Net assignable area + unassigned area
Efficiency Ratio
Net Area : Gross Area
How to calculate gross area based on net area and efficiency ratio?
Net area / efficiency ratio
Ex; 100,000 SF / 80% = 125,000 Gross SF
Per BOMA Z65.1, where is the exterior wall measured?
If 50% glass or more, to the inside face of glass. If less than 50%, to the inside face of exterior
How to calculate amount of space needed to lease given the net assignable required, efficiency factor, and load factor?
(Net assignable / efficiency) * load factor
Or
Gross * Load
Per AIA, what happens if the final design comes in over budget?
The architect may be required to redesign the project to be within budget, for no additional compensation
What is assembly method budgeting?
Creating a budget based on subsystems like wall finishes, plumbing, roof systems, etc to determine where the bulk of cost lies
What makes a property ‘underdeveloped’?
Not being used and developed in a way that yields the highest return on investment.
What are the 3 ways that land value is calculated?
- Market Approach (similar properties)
- Income Approach (income potential)
- Cost Approach (cost of land and development)
What is a ‘mill levy’?
Property tax amount charged per $1,000 value.
General Tax
any tax imposed for general governmental purposes. Typically used for maintenance of government property.
Ad Valorem Tax
Tax based on the value of property.
Special Sales Tax
imposed for a specific purpose e.g. major transportation project.
General Obligations Bond
Amount backed by an increased tax to finance the acquisition or construction of a public facility (school, library, etc.) Taxes are increased to cover the bond usually for a period of 10-30 years. Requires voter majority.
Revenue Bond
(aka rate-supported bond) Amount is backed by rate increases of the consumer. Typical for city utility projects i.e. your water bill may increase to cover the cost of building a new treatment plant.
Public Enterprise Revenue Bond
Bonds issued by cities or counties to finance facilities for revenue-producing projects. Airport, parking garage, and hospitals typically use this model.
Tax-Increment Financing
Imposing a tax to improve local infrastructure that in turn increases property value. This may be adding a gas line service to a neighborhood or moving electrical wires underground. Does not need to go to public vote because it benefits the property owners.
Subdivision exaction
Requires developers to dedicate some land for public use.
Blanket Mortgage
Used to purchase a large piece of land that is to be later subdivided and sold as individual parcels. Each parcel amount is retired from the mortgage once it sells.
Bridge Loan
quick financing to purchase property before longer-term financing can be set up.
Construction Loan
In effect for the duration of construction until it is converted to a long-term loan and repayment begins.
Hard Money Loan
for distressed financial situations such as foreclosure, bankruptcy, nonpayment, etc. Sale value is typically less than market value and interest rates are high.
Mezzanine Loan
Secured by collateral in stock of a development. Used by developers for large projects.
Pro Forma Statement
Statement or model of expected expenses to determine if a project is likely to be financially successful.
What 4 factors determine the time needed to complete a project design?
- Size & complexity
- Number of designers
- Design methodologies
- Client decision-making process
VAV System
Variable Air Volume System. Allows for flexibility during the life of the building and different requirements for various tenants.
What kind of AC system should be used if cooling load is less than 25 tons?
Direct expansion units or heat pumps.
What are the 3 primary determinants for structural systems?
- occupancy
- program
- resistance to applied loads
Review Definitions in Ballast 10-37!
Read!
What is the maximum depth of a space that is using side lighting?
30’
What is soil liquification? 2 meanings
- soils near bodies of water that become supersaturated and begin to behave like water.
- Soils that act like water when the ground is vibrated (earthquake)
What is an area of land that channels surface water to given locations?
Watershed
What organization’s standards are required to be followed for an Environmental Site Assessment Report?
ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials
How do mezzanines relate to the story below?
they are considered a part of the story below so it must be open to the lower story and 1/3 of the size, max.
One way structural system
Loads transmitted in one direction at a time
What is the typical maximum span for wood construction?
25’
Pros of using glulam?
Strength, span, appearance, and versatility
Study structural diagrams in Ballast page 11-3!
Flat Plate Construction
Flat concrete slab on columns. No girders or joists. Light loads only.
1-Way Pan Joist System
Aka concrete joist system. One-way system of concrete joists that transfer load into larger beams. Spans range between 20-30ft
What are the 3 main concrete 2-way systems?
Flat plate, flat slab, and waffle slab
What is the difference between concrete flat slab and flat plate construction?
Flat plate has uniform columns and is meant for light loads. Flat slab incorporates column capitals (typical cone or pyramid shape) to handle increased loads. Both are great for maximizing ceiling height to the underside of floor slab
What is concrete camber?
The upward curvature to a precast member caused by prestressing forces.
CMU slenderness ratio
Ratio of wall thickness to unsupported height to indicate resistance to buckling under compressive load
What can be used to allow for movement between exterior facing and structural frame?
Clip angles with slotted holes, slip joints, and flex sealant
Pre-Engineered Rigid Steel Frame
System designed to span the full width of a building to eliminate the need for interior columns.
Another word for horizontal structural reaction
Thrust
Hinged arch
Most efficient arch shape that requires fixed supports at base to resist thrust. It will sometimes have a hinge support at the apex making it a three-hinge arch
Thin-shell structure
Curved surfaces that resist loads through tension, compression, and shear along the shell plane. Typically made of reinforced concrete
What makes heavy timber highly fire resistant?
It is large enough to char and form and crust which protects internal fibers of the wood from flame exposure
What is the main disadvantage of suspension structures?
Inability to resist wind and other types of non-vertical loading
BEES life cycle assessment 10 impacts of building materials
- GWP
- Acidification Potential
- Eutrophication Potential
- Natural Resource depletion
- IAQ impacts
- Solid waste impacts
- Smog
- Ecological toxicity
- Human toxicity
- Ozone
Pros and cons of HDPE piping
Most easily recyclable and flexible but has the highest thermal expansion which limits its applicability
Pros and cons of PVC
Pros: strong, lightweight, low cost, and easy to manufacture.
Cons: bad for environment, vinyl chloride is a carcinogen, increased dioxin in the air.
Pros and cons of VCP
Pros: resistant to chemical erosion and lowest thermal expansion of any pipe material.
Cons: heavy and expensive to install
Pros and cons of RPP
Pros: made of recycled plastics
Cons: durability issues
Fly Ash
Residual byproduct of burning coal. Concrete admixture that reduces energy load. Replacing Portland cement in concrete mixes. It requires less water which makes it resistant to shrinking and cracking
Alkaline Dust
Harmful dust produced by concrete plants that is harmful for aquatic life
Site characterization
Performed after some preliminary site planning . It is a Geotechnical analysis of subsurface conditions such as depth to bedrock, depth to ground water, seasonal water tables, and soil tests
Slope analysis
Identifies steep slope zones and starts to map out buildable areas, site access, drainage, and views
Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Provides temperature information for planning purposes
What are examples of zoning overlays?
Steep slope restriction, watershed protection, historic preservation, and aquifer protection.
What is CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. Holds land owners liable for environmental conditions of a site. Includes cost of cleanup and remediation as well as damages to third parties.
“Innocent Landowner Defense”
Financial relief for land owners who can demonstrate that they did not know about adverse environmental conditions.
What is a Site Transaction Screen?
Preliminary assessment where an environmental professional uses ASTM guideline E-1528 to survey the site.
When should a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment be performed?
- When the buyer is experienced
- The site has a previous industrial / hazardous use
- If your state requires it
Brownfield
Abandoned or underutilized site that is environmentally contaminated or perceived as being contaminated from past industrial or commercial activities
DEM
Department of Environmental Management (established the Connecticut River Valley Action Program)
NFPA-101
Life safety code
What should be included in a code analysis? (9)
- Site plan
- floor plan
- occupancy classification
- location of building on property
- building height & area
- construction type
- Exit locations and quantities
- Egress widths
- Exit discharge to public way
7 points of building classifications
- Occupancy
- Sprinkler Systems
- Construction type
- Allowable floor area
- Height and number of stories
- Location on property
- Means of egress
What are the 10 occupancy groups?
(A) Assembly
(B) Business
(E) Educational
(F) Factory / Industrial
(H) High Hazard
(I) Institutional
(M) Mercantile
(R) Residential
(S) Storage
(U) Utility and Misc
Group A-1
Assembly with fixed seating and low lights
Group A-2
Assemblies serving alcohol with loose seating that may obstruct egress pathways. This shall include the kitchen areas
Group A-3
Assemblies that do not fit into A-1 or A-2 such as places of worship.
Group A-4
Assemblies for indoor sporting events
Group A-5
Assemblies for outdoor sporting events
What occupancy group would fit for junior colleges, universities, and continuing education beyond 12th grade?
Group B
What occupancy group would fit an ambulatory care facility?
Group B
Criteria for Group E Occupancy
6 or more people for :
- classes up to 12th grade
- day care for children over 2.5
Occupancy type for daycare with less than 6 children in a dwelling
Group R-3
Group F-1
Moderate hazard factory / industrial use
Group F-2
Low hazard factory / industrial use. Materials of manufacture to be non combustible
Occupancy group for commercial kitchen with no service that is under 2,500 sf
Group B
Group I-1
More than 16 people living under 24 hour supervision & custodial care. In cases where occupants cannot evacuate on their own, additional smoke barriers and sprinkler systems may be required
Group I-2
More than 5 people living under 24 hour medical supervision and are incapable of unassisted self preservation
Group I-3
Prisons, detention centers, and mental hospitals
Group I-4
Adult and child day cares of more than 5 people
Group R-1
Transient living such as hotels or boarding facilities
Group R-2
Permanent dwelling with more than 2 units. Includes apartments and dorms
Group R-3
Single family homes, duplexes, care facilities of 5 or less
Group R-4
Assisted living of 5-16 occupants
What are the two Group S categories?
S-1 Moderate Hazard
S-2 Low Hazard
What building height triggers the requirement for fire service elevator lobbies?
120’
Where is the boundary for calculating gross building area, typically?
Exterior face of exterior wall
What defines a story to be “a story above grade plane”?
Level above is 6’ above grade or if it is more than 12’ above grade at any point
Where is building height measured to?
From average grade to average height of roof surface
What is the area rule for mezzanines?
1/3 of the floor area of the space where the mezzanine is located
How are construction types labeled?
Type I (most fire-resistive) to Type V (least fire-resistive) and types A &B. A is more protected and B is less protected.
What determines the construction type for a building?
Occupancy type, desired building height, and area.
What construction type fits this description: a building with noncombustible, protected elements. (2)
Type I-A or Type II-A.
What construction type fits this description: a heavy timber building with less protected elements.
Type IV.
What construction type fits this description: a building made up of any material with unprotected elements.
Type V-B.
What types of materials can Type III construction be made of?
Combustible mixed systems.
What types of materials can Type IV construction be made of?
Heavy Timber
What types of materials can Type V construction be made of?
Any Material
What types of materials can Type I and II be made of?
Non combustible
What types of materials are considered noncombustible?
Masonry, Concrete, Steel
What does “restrained” mean in terms of fire resistance?
Ability of structural members to expand or contract under fire conditions
What rating must combustible projections meet when they are within 5’ of the lot line?
1 hour
What distance must buildings be separated so that the exterior wall does not need to be rated from both sides?
Greater than 10’
How to determine number of openings allowable given relationship between protected and unprotected?
Ap/ap + Au/au </= 1.0
CPTED max planting height recommendation
24” in security surveillance areas
How to convert lux to foot candles
X .1
Point Illumination Method
E=Icos()/d^2
E - illumination on surface (fc)
L - lamp intensity (lumens)
() - angle between fixture and point
D - distance between fixture and point
Average Illumination Method
F= luM/LM
F - avg illumination (fc)
L - lamp intensity (lumens)
U - coefficient of utilization
M - maintenance factor
L - horizontal distance btwn fixtures
W - width of area illuminated
What is the maintenance factor of a light source?
Efficacy of lamp over operating life. 50% is a good rule of thumb
What type of brick should be selected for freezing climates, NX,MX, or SX?
SX
What is required to be issued a general permit?
Notice of Intent (NOI)
What is soil cohesion?
Measure of how soil particles stick together
Is high plasticity good or bad for building on?
Bad
Are mezzanines included in building area?
No, but it is included in fire area
Are type III exterior walls combustible or non combustible?
Non combustible
What is the minimum egress width?
44”
Calculate gross building area based on net area and efficiency factor
(Net x EF) + Net
What describes a formal landscape?
Strong geometric forms and focal elements such as statues or fountains
What is the principal benefit of using a DOAS system (dedicated outdoor air system)?
Supply air is comprised of 100% fresh outside air
How far should shrubs be spaced to protect from fire spread?
10 feet
True or false, FAR does not take into account setbacks
True
What is the span limit for a two way flat slab?
40 feet
What are the main elements that determine max building height (3)?
Construction type zoning regulations, occupancy group
What elements are included in a boundary survey?
Easements and rights of way
What kind of survey shows the locations and characteristics of utilities?
Topographic survey
What is the angle of the sun in relation to the horizon line?
Altitude
What is the angle of the sun in relation to true north?
Azimuth
What “treatment for historic buildings” is described by an addition?
Rehabilitation
Other than the FCC, where are two way communication systems required?
Elevator lobbies that are in the egress route
What does a phase 1 survey identify?
Soil contaminants
What does the study of physiography incldue?
topography, surface conditions, slope
What is the threshold for when a sloped walk becomes a ramp?
1:20 or 5%
What is the max ADA cross slope
1:48 or about 2%
What kind of soil typically makes up an aquifer?
sand, grave, fractured rock, limestone, karst.
What is an acre-foot?
the volume of water covering 1 acre at 1 foot depth
How to mitigate wind damage?
Design hip roofs, avoid overhangs, and use tie downs / hurricane anchors
What design decisions can increase risk of landslide?
Hill cuts, deep root removal, irrigation saturation, impacting soil balance
What are the 3 kinds of ground motion in an earthquake?
P Waves (Pulverizing)
S Waves (Shifting)
Surface Waves (Rolling
What scale is used to measure magnitude / strength of earth quake?
Richter Scale
What scale is used to measure the intensity / damage potential of an earthquake?
Mercalli Scale
What are the 6 elements of transit-oriented development?
- close to transit
- mix uses
- mix housing types
- mix housing prices
- optimize density
- reduce parking requirements
What is a Noli Map?
Inverse of a figure ground to show perceived public space
What is the minimum width for an ‘attached’ sidewalk?
6’-0”
What is the vertical distance allowable between landings at an exterior stair?
5’-0”
What kind of brick is resistant to frost/freeze and thaw?
SX Grade
What kind of brick should be used at well-drained / dry areas?
MX Grade
What size must the aisle adjacent to an ADA parking space be?
5’ x 20’
Define liquid limit
Moisture content at which soil can flow and not retain its shape
Define Plastic limit
Moisture content at which soil deforms plastically (cracks)
What is the plasticity index?
Numerical difference between plastic and liquid limits resulting in a range of moisture content in which a soil behaves plastically.
What does a plasticity index of 15 indicate?
Soil is expansive and is bad for foundations
What are the 2 downsides of using flyash in concrete?
setting time is longer & it does not acid wash or dye as easily has higher PC concrete
What are the 3 positives of using flyash in concrete?
better for the environment, stronger than portland cement, less water is required in the mix which reduces the risk of cracking / shrinking
What do the variables mean in the following Area Modification Equation (5-2)?
Aa = [At + (NS x If)] * Sa
Aa = allowable area
At = area factor from table
NS = area factor for non-sprinklered building from table
If = area increase factor due to frontage
Sa = Area increase factor due to sprinklered protection
What do the variables mean in the following equation for finding If (increase factor due to frontage)?
If = [F/P - 0.25] * W / 30
If = increase factor due to frontage
F = Sum of building perimeter that fronts on public way
P = Perimeter of entire building
W = average width of public way facing building
What is the equation for Efficiency Factor (E)?
E = NSF / GSF
Efficiency = Net SF / Gross SF
How to calculate Tare Area?
Gross Area - Net Assignable Area
(tare area will include unassigned area)
What is building commissioning?
Verification that systems and assemblies function and are in compliance with the OPR, BOD, and contract documents
Gross Area
Floor area measured to exterior face of wall
Rentable Area
Tenant floor area measure to inside face of wall - includes all building core & services that serve tenant space. Excludes major shafts & penetrations i.e. elevator shafts & stairs.
Net Area
Floor area that excludes exterior walls, building core, services, and circulation.
Equation for Overall Building Efficiency
Gross = Net Assignable / E(O)
*expressed as percentage
Equation for Base Building Efficiency
Gross = Usable / E(B)
*expressed as percentage
Equation for Interior Layout Efficiency
Usable = Rentable / E(L)
*expressed as percentage
Equation for R/U Ratio
Usable = Rentable / RU
*expressed as multiplier
What is the max slope of a mowed slope?
3:1
What is a reverse bench?
A reverse cut into a slope to divert runoff. Typically at a 5:1 slope and on slopes that are vertically greater than 15’. Must be wide enough for maintenance vehicles
What differentiates a vertical timber retaining wall from a horizontal one?
Vertical timber walls are submerged 1/2 H by dirt on the downslope
Where must exterior walls be rated from when the building face is greater than 10’ from the property line?
From inside only
Where must exterior walls be rated from when the building face is less than or equal to 10’ from the property line?
Both sides
How far into egress path may a door swing protrude?
7 inches
How many exits are required from a level with more than 1,000 occupants?
4
How far apart must 2 exits from the same space be?
1/2 of the longest diagonal measurement of the space
What is the minimum clear width of an egress door?
32”
What is minimum egress width of a hallway or stair?
44”
How far can the centerline of the stair be from a handrail before it is no longer considered part of the egress width?
30”
How high must a window sill be from finish floor when it is more than 72’ above finish grade?
36”
What is a Nonpoint Source Pollutant (NPS)?
Bacteria, oil, grease, metals, etc that do not originate from a single pipe or discharge point
Peak runoff equation
Q=CiA
Q - peak discharge in cfs
C - runoff coefficient
i - rainfall intensity
A - area of basin
Why are swales useful in stormwater management?
Encourages infiltration, filters the water by having many surfaces for deposition, and they reduce the velocity of the water
What is a dry well?
A small excavated pit with infiltration aggregate. Used to manage runoff from small areas like roofs
What is groundwater recharge?
Opportunities for stormwater runoff to infiltrate back into the ground. It is important for this water to be filtered so that contaminants do not leach into the ground water
Define ecotone
the transition strip between two different types of landscapes
How is soil sampling planned?
Using aerial photography, USGS, or site maps
How deep should soil be characterized to support new plant life?
30”
What is a stream buffer?
a buffer zone of undeveloped land between a stream and a development. meant to ease and treat runoff naturally.
What is stream degradation?
Stream’s inability to handle its load causing it to become more shallow or scour the bottom to become deeper.
What is stream aggradation?
Stream carrying too much bed load causing it to speed up and widen
Rehabilitation
building is being converted to a use other than historical function
Reconstruction
Rebuilding lost structure based on historical documentation
Preservation
Most historically accurate approach and maintains modifications made over time.
Restoration
Focuses on the most important time in the life of the structure. Modifications made after this can be removed.
What entity typically governs the number of parking and loading spaces required?
Zoning regulations
What types of maximums does building code require based on occupancy type?
construction type, max building are, max height, and max number of stories
True / False - zoning ordinances govern what kinds of exterior materials may be used
False, these restrictions are governed by covenants.
What is a proctor test?
determines the optimum compaction of site fill based on density and optimum moisture content.
What is incentive zoning and what information does it include?
Encourages private developers to provide amenities for public use in exchange for the opportunity to build taller or larger structure on site. Includes base FAR, Bonus Ratio, and Specific plan for Development.
What are the incentives of the Brownfield Revitalization Act?
Prospective purchaser defense & the contiguous property owners exemption
Solidification (or Vitrification)
Removal of water and chemically changing the the soil media to mitigate contaminents
Soil Vapor Extraction
Removal of VOCs from soil
Bioremediation
Use of microorganisms to degrade organic compounds in soil
Air Sparging
Air injections into ground to flush VOCs
Challenges with capped sites
need to create lined trench for utilities, restricts deep root plantings, and makes storm water management difficult
Node
a public space that serves as a symbol of a neighborhood or city (i.e. boston public garden)
True / False - Membrane roofs have a longer lifespan than vegetated roofs
False - vegetated roofs have a longer lifespan.
What entity is responsible for designing and maintaining a city’s roadway drainage?
Public works department
Imageability
the study of how a proposed building relates to the surrounding context.
What is the most efficient parking layout design?
90 degree parking on 2 sides of a drive aisle.
What is the optimum tilt angle for a solar array in the northern hemisphere?
Equal to the building’s latitude.
What levels of albedo and conductivity helps moderate the microclimate of a site?
Low albedo and high conductivity
What is the max slope of a grass recreational area?
4% max
What is CERCLA aka Superfund?
mandates the cleanup of contaminated sites
Who could be held liable for remediation of contaminated sites under CERCLA? (5)
- Current Owners
- Currnet Operators
- Owner when haz mats were disposed of
- Generators of haz mats
- Transporters of haz mats
What are the (3) defenses against CERLCA claims?
- Acts of God or War
- Claim of minimal involvement
- Innocent landowners defense
What are the (4) components of a Phase I investigation?
- Review of existing records
- Interviews with knowledgable persons
- Site reconnaissance
- Report that summarizes findings
What happens in a Phase II Site Assessment?
- Samples collected
- Identify extent of contamination suspected in Phase I
What are the reprocussions of a non-compliant phase II assessment? (2 possible)
You either bear the burden of paying for further remediation or the property is devalued.
What is a reopener?
Reopening of site contamination case due to fraud, endangerment, failed action, or use/maintenance commitments are not met.
What 3 resources will tell you how many accessible parking stalls are required?
IBC, ADA, and Local Zoning Code
True or false, construction type has no bearing on the number of required exits.
True!
What type of elevator system is better for the environment and faster?
Geared Traction
Fan coil unit
System that can be supplied with fluids to avoid the need for ductwork
What is the turn radius of a large motor home?
50’-0”
What information is shown in a survey from the Natural Resourced Conservation Service? (4)
- Soil characteristics
- Soil Erodibility
- Drainage Patterns
- Topography
What is the maximum % slope for a parking lot?
20%
What does a conservation easement show?
What areas of land will not be developed
What must be constructed between two different construction types?
Fire wall
How to calculate FAR when given building area and site area
Building area / site area
How many square feet are in an acre?
43,560
What kind of soil remediation is used to pull VOCs from the ground?
Soil vapor extraction
Eminent Domain
The government’s legal right to take private property in return for fair compensation
