QUIZ 4/6 (Geotech, Timber)

Question 1

What soil Horizons are Geotechnical engineers primarily interested in?

Answer 1

Horizon C (weathered rock) and Horizon B (clay-rich soil)

Question 2

Cause of foundation failures include…

Answer 2

Inappropriate design, lack of resilience for extreme events, substandard inspection, inadequate site investigations and design errors

Question 3

What can cause differential movement in a foundation?

Answer 3

Using strip foorings on steep cut and fill sites and shrinking/swelling of expansive clays due to moisture changes

Question 4

Name the type of foundation with a column with a wide base

Answer 4

Pad footing

Question 5

Stages of a Geotechnical investigation include?

Answer 5

Literature review, field investigation, site walkover and laboratory testing

Question 6

Where is a Standard Penetration Test typically done?

Answer 6

In the field, as part of the field investigation

Question 7

Sedimentary rocks are formed by?

Answer 7

A lithification of rock particles, organic material or chemical precipitates

Question 8

Photosynthesis is?

Answer 8

The prcess where trees convert atmospheric C02 and water into oxygen and carbohydrates using light energy

Question 9

Every tonne of elemental carbon in a tree represents how much CO2 removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 9

3.66 tonnes of C02

Question 10

Characteristics of a HARDWOOD tree

Answer 10

Take longer to grow than softwood trees, have vessels for transporting water and nutrients, produce harder timber than softwood trees

Question 11

Timber strength and stability is greatest in which direction?

Answer 11

Longitudinal

Question 12

The National Construction Code allows timber buildings up to what height under the 2016 provisions?

Answer 12

An effective height of 25m

Question 13

Timber is seasoned to…

Answer 13

Improve ability to absorb chemical treatment, remove moisture to equilibrium, improves structural performance and dimensional stability, improves decay resistance

Question 14

Timber shrinks and swells the most in which directions

Answer 14

Radial, though timber also shrinks longitudinally it is at a much smaller percentage at 0.05% compared to cross section at 1-2%

Question 15

What does fungus need to thrive and cause timber decay

Answer 15

Food, moisture, oxygen, and warm temperatures

Question 16

What are the fire performance properties of timber

Answer 16

• Timber is a poor conductor of heat, allowing the transfer of heat to be slow in the event of a fire
• Develops a char layer that protects inner material
• Settles into a stable burn at a consistent rate

Question 17

Engineered wood products (EWP) have higher performance because…

Answer 17

Each part of EWP has a minor influence leading to lower variability in performance