SBC Notes

Question 1

Progressive Assurance

Answer 1

Assurance completed through a process rather than upon completion

Question 2

Data Drop

Answer 2

Transfer of BIM data from contractor to client

Question 3

Intrados

Answer 3

Internal face of an arch

Question 4

Extrados

Answer 4

External face of an arch

Question 5

RODS

Answer 5

Rolling Origin and Destination Survey

Question 6

Distribution Network Operators (DNO)

Answer 6

Responsible for distributing the electricity from the transmission system and maintaining the cables, substations and equipment. 6 in the UK, UKPN in London

National Grid maintain the transmission system

Question 7

Cranked Beam

Answer 7

A beam with an angle change in it

Question 8

Nominal fixing (blast)

Answer 8

A fixing designed to take standard loading (wind etc.) but fail readily during blast loading so as to fail safely

Question 9

DLO

Answer 9

Direct labour Organisation - a DLO is a unit of a local authority or housing association that delivers building and maintenance works. Also Direct Service Organisation

Question 10

Kit-of-parts

Answer 10

Kit-of-parts construction is a special subset of pre-fabrication that not only attempts to achieve flexibility in assembly and efficiency in manufacture, but also by definition requires a capacity for demountability, disassembly, and reuse. Kit-of-parts structures can be assembled and taken apart in a variety of ways like a construction toy.

Question 11

Quality Assurance

Answer 11

Quality Assurance is known as QA and focuses on preventing defects.

Quality Assurance ensures that the approaches, techniques, methods and processes are designed for the projects are implemented correctly.

Quality assurance activities monitor and verify that the processes used to manage and create the deliverables have been followed and are operative.

Quality Assurance is a proactive process and is Preventative in nature. It recognizes flaws in the process.

Quality Assurance has to be complete before Quality Control.

Question 12

Quality Control

Answer 12

Quality Control focuses on identifying defects.

QC activities monitor and verify that the project deliverables meet the defined quality standards.

Quality Control is a reactive process and is detection in nature. It recognizes the defects.

QC comes after QA

Question 13

Extra Over (E/O)

Answer 13

‘Extra over’ (EO) is a term that is often used when taking off for a bill of quantities (BoQ). Taking off is the process of identifying elements of construction works that can be measured and priced. When taking off for a BoQ, the term ‘extra over’ can be used to refer to items that to a certain extent have already been measured, but have not been priced at the full value of all their labour and materials. A common example of this is when measuring drain pipes, for which the estimator may determine a cost based on the full length of the pipe measured along its centre-line, and then assess an ‘extra over’ cost for the additional cost necessary to pay for fittings such as bends and junctions.

Question 14

EVC

Answer 14

Emergency Voice Communication

Question 15

Documents to be handed to D+B contractor upon assumption of PC role

Answer 15

Engineering Safety Hazard Log, Non-Compliance and Concession Log, Assumptions Register, Design Issue and Change Register

Question 16

Human Factors

Answer 16

The application of psychological and physiological principles to the (engineering and) design of products, processes, and systems. The goal of human factors is to reduce human error, increase productivity, and enhance safety and comfort with a specific focus on the interaction between the human and the thing of interest.[1]

Question 17

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Answer 17

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the branch of electrical engineering concerned with the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy which may cause unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or even physical damage in operational equipment. The goal of EMC is the correct operation of different equipment in a common electromagnetic environment

Question 18

Track Clearance Approval Form

Answer 18

Any structure or fixed equipment (whether operational or not) requires a Clearance assessment provided it is less than 5m above or within 3m laterally of the nearest running edge.

Question 19

LUEX

Answer 19

LU Executive Board

Question 20

Positive Drainage

Answer 20

Drainage provided by slope

Question 21

Types of Flooding

Answer 21

Fluvial - River, Pluvial - Surface water (rain), Coastal - Sea, Burst water main

Question 22

Statutory Authority

Answer 22

A statutory authority is a body set up by law which is authorised to enact legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.

Question 23

Aspirating smoke detector

Answer 23

An aspirating smoke detector (ASD) is a system used in active fire protection, consisting of a central detection unit which draws air through a network of pipes to detect smoke (VESDA) more sensitive than a standard fire alarm

Question 24

Castell Lock system

Answer 24

Trapped key interlocking utilizes locks and keys for sequential control of equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation. Trapped key interlocks are widely used to ensure safe access to potentially live or dangerous plant or equipment in an industrial setting.

Question 25

Power Service Contract (PSC)

Answer 25

LU Power

Question 26

Four foot and six foot

Answer 26

Four-foot is the space between the two running rails and six foot is the space between two tracks

Question 27

Gypsum

Answer 27

Used in plasterboard and has to be disposed of separately due to production of odorous and toxic hydrogen sulphide gas when disposed with biodegradable waste.

Question 28

Piling mat

Answer 28

A piling mat is a type of working platform used for piling rigs to travel on, providing a stable base on which they can move around the site and operate. The most suitable materials for piling mats are generally well-graded natural gravels, clean-crushed concrete, crushed hard rock, and so on

Question 29

Rise and Going

Answer 29

Horizontal and vertical lengths of a single stair

Question 30

Fire-protected routes

Answer 30

3.14.2.1 A fire-protected route shall be any one of the following: a) through which the evacuation load or affected passenger load can proceed; b) which can be segregated from the area of incident (e.g. by fire doors); c) where there is an escape exit to the street.

Question 31

Technical Content Manager

Answer 31

The manager responsible for the content of a standard, “Standard holder/owner”

Question 32

Intumescent

Answer 32

A material that swells upon application of heat, often used as a passive fire provision.

Question 33

Pad Foundation

Answer 33

Pad foundation refers to the foundation which is intended for sustaining concentrated loads from a single point load such as structural columns.

Question 34

Strip Foundation

Answer 34

Strip foundation is used to support a line of loads such as load-bearing walls. For instance, closely-spaced columns render the use of pad foundation inappropriate and strip foundation may be a better alternative.

Question 35

Raft Foundation

Answer 35

Raft foundation consists of a concrete slab which extends over the entire loaded area so that loads from entire structure are spread over a large area leading to a reduction of the stress of foundation soils is reduced. Moreover, raft foundation serves to avoid differential settlement which otherwise would occur if pad or strip foundation is adopted.

Question 36

IP4X trunking rating

Answer 36

The IP4X rating means that protection to persons and equipment is provided by testing with a 1.0mm diameter probe to ensure that it will not penetrate the trunking at, for example, points where the trunking has been joined. No protection is provided against water splashing from any direction.

Question 37

LU Power -

Answer 37

Electrical power for LU traction, signalling, station and depot services, Docklands Light Railway and other authorised users is taken from Bulk Supply Points (BSPs) and distributed through the LU distribution network comprising high and low voltage distribution systems to AC and DC loads.

The system is capable of being supplied, under emergency conditions, by generation from the LU Greenwich Generating Station.

Question 38

Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Supply

Answer 38

All LU stations have a LVAC supply from the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) – often termed “street supplies”.

Question 39

Emergency Power Supplies (LEPS) Supply -

Answer 39

LEPS loads will be supplied from OLBIs for at least an hour, following a widespread National Grid outage which has resulted in failure of the normal LU and DNO LVAC supplies to stations.

Question 40

Central Emergency Power Supply (CEPS) Supply -

Answer 40

The LU CEPS supply from Greenwich Generating Station will re-supply the LU network in about a half hour following a widespread National Grid outage to re-instate LU LVAC supplies to stations.

Question 41

Essential Supplies

Answer 41

Essential supplies are those that will re energise following an outage (CEPS and LEPS are essential)

Question 42

OLBI

Answer 42

OLBIs provide an emergency power supply to essential loads (LEPS) to ensure the safe evacuation of passengers and staff from LU Section 12 stations following a widespread National Grid outage. The emergency power supply from the OLBI shall be capable of being maintained for a minimum period of 1 hour at full load and rated voltage.

Following completion of the emergency operation any remaining under-used battery capacity from the 1 hour period shall be available to supply further emergency power.

In Normal supply mode - The mode in which the emergency loads are supplied direct from the incoming DNO LVAC supply via the operational bypass.

Question 43

Vortok Fencing

Answer 43

Magnetic rigid barrier that attaches to rail

Question 44

Track Licenses (T001-003)

Answer 44

Safety critical licenses for activities involving track - T001 - Inspected Asset, T002 - Repaired Asset, T003 - Modified Asset

Question 45

Two stage tendering

Answer 45

Two stage tendering is used to allow the early appointment of a contractor, prior to the completion of all the information required to enable them to offer a fixed price. (Early Contractor Involvement)

In the first stage, a limited appointment is agreed allowing the contractor to begin work and in the second stage a fixed price is negotiated for the contract.

The pre-construction services carried out by the contractor in the first phase might include:

  - Helping the consultant team develop the design, or the contractor undertaking all design development themselves.    - Advise on buildability, sequencing, and construction risk. 
- Obtaining prices for work packages from sub-contractors or suppliers on an open book basis.

Question 46

P50 Levels

Answer 46

P50 is defined as 50% of estimates exceed the P50 estimate (and by definition, 50% of estimates are less than the P50 estimate). It is a good middle estimate.

Mean usually lies about the P40-P30 levels and are therefore high estimates.

P90 and P10 are low and high estimates respectively. P90 means 90% of the estimates exceed the P90 estimate. It does not mean that the estimate has a 90% chance of occurring

The central limit theorem indicates that the P50 estimate has more chance of occurring than the P90 and P10 estimates.

Question 47

Option E Contract (Cost Reimbursable or Cost Plus)

Answer 47

A cost reimbursable contract (sometimes called a cost plus contract) is one in which the contractor is reimbursed the actual costs they incur in carrying out the works, plus an additional fee.

A cost reimbursable contract might be used where the nature or scope of the work to be carried out cannot be properly defined at the outset, and the risks associated with the works are high, such as, emergency work.

High risk for client as cost not known when contract entered (no contract sum).

Question 48

Computer Based Train Control

Answer 48

Communications-based train control (CBTC) is a railway signalling system that makes use of the telecommunications between the train and track equipment for the traffic management and infrastructure control. By means of the CBTC systems, the exact position of a train is known more accurately than with the traditional signalling systems. This results in a more efficient and safe way to manage the railway traffic. Metros (and other railway systems) are able to improve headways while maintaining or even improving safety.

Question 49

Out turn costs

Answer 49

The ‘outturn cost’ or ‘out-turn cost’ of a project is its actual construction cost. Generally this refers to the actual, total construction cost calculated at the end of the project.

This contrasts with cost estimates, or target costs, which are calculations of the cost that is expected, or the cost that should be achieved.

Question 50

Exterion

Answer 50

Media partner of LU, advertising assets

Question 51

Thales

Answer 51

Provision, installation and maintenance of telecomms assets (connect)

Question 52

Order of magnitude estimate

Answer 52

Order of Magnitude (OOM) Estimates are rough guesses made at the very beginning of the project. At this time not much is known about the project and everything can change as planning progresses. Order of magnitude estimates use historical project data with analogous mathematics. The numbers are calculated for the whole project, not for individual tasks or major deliverables.

They are usually expressed as a range,

Executives immediately use only the lower (most optimistic) numbers.

But project managers should stick with the ranges in all theirorder of magnitude estimates because the range communicates the project’s uncertainty.

Range narrows as planning progresses and uncertainty declines.

Question 53

S1371

Answer 53

Station Planning

Question 54

S1053

Answer 54

Civil Eng - Buildings and station structures

Question 55

S1088

Answer 55

Managing changes to stations and shafts fire precautions

Question 56

S1085

Answer 56

Fire Safety Performance of Materials - Stations and Tunnel Infrastructure

Question 57

S1052

Answer 57

Gravity Drainage Systems

Question 58

Whole Life Costing

Answer 58

Capex, Opex, Maintenance, project management, decommissioning, disposal

Question 59

The Management System

Answer 59

Details how we work at tfl. Includes “Working atTfL”and documents in the management system library,will support our ways of working by making them accessible, clear and concise. Includes standards, processes and guidance

Question 60

Costs to Society of injuries

Answer 60

Broken down into human costs (impact on quality of life/loss of life) and financial (loss of production and healthcare costs, admin, legal, insurance)Fatal injury - £1.2m (human) £0.4m (financial) Non fatal £5.3k/£3.1k, Week absence £19k/11k (2016 figures)

Estimates of average costs per case of workplace injury or ill health are important in the economic appraisal of policy interventions.

Policy appraisal involves comparing the costs of any proposed new health and safety interventions against the likely benefits (in terms of reduced costs associated with reduced workplace ill health and injury cases) the proposed measure is likely to deliver.

Question 61

Safety

Answer 61

Is the freedom from unacceptable risk of harm (EN 50126 [9])).

Question 62

Safety Authority

Answer 62

Any organisation from which safety approval is required, for example a railway authority or a regulatory authority. Under ROGS 2006 the approvals process results in Safety Certification for rolling stock and Safety Authorisation for Infrastructure.

Question 63

London Underground Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation

Answer 63

The London Underground Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation was first produced in in 2007 to meet the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations. It replaced the Safety Case. It was accepted by the ORR and approval has been maintained ever since through various revisions. It specifies how LU maintains a safe operational railway through setting requirements for design, maintenance, audit, control of new risks and emergency planning. The Safety Certification relates to train operations and the Safety Authorisation covers stations and infrastructure.

Question 64

GIS (Geographic information system)

Answer 64

A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analysing data. Used for portraying data in many different ways on maps. Its main job is to help in analysing groups of data and find correlations or patterns.

Question 65

Engineering Council

Answer 65

Engineering Council is the regulatory body (QUANGO) for the UK Engineering Profession. Sets Standards for competence and commitment via the UK-Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC), currently in third revision. Oversees 35 separate engineering institutions.The Engineering Council is currently carrying out its five-yearly review of the Standard against which engineers and technicians are registered.

Some interesting findings.

b. Automation is replacing ‘routine’ work, leading to the need for technicians to have higher skills.
f. The reduction in demarcation between and beyond traditional engineering disciplines, with an increase in multi- and inter-disciplinarily roles.

Question 66

Maintenance

Answer 66

Keeping something fit for purpose

Question 67

Safe

Answer 67

when the risk associated with it is controlled to an acceptable level. This level may reduce as technological advances make it practicable to reduce risk even further.

Question 68

Safety Case

Answer 68

Safety case – a document that describes the measures taken to ensure the safety of some aspects of the railway. There are two main sorts of safety case: Eng and Railway safety cases

Question 69

Engineering Safety Case

Answer 69

An engineering safety case presents the justification for the safety of a railway product or a change to the railway. Despite its name, an engineering safety case covers more than just engineering.

Question 70

Business Plan

Answer 70

• Our Business Plan is our contract with the People of London,
• It covers five years in detail and a further five in more summarised form,
• Although historically compiled on a ‘bottom up’ basis, it represents TfL’s strategic focus for the next 10 years,
• It is updated annually,
• It forms the basis for the budget. ,
• Once adopted by the Mayor and published the Business Plan cannot be changed in whole and only in part through strict delegated authority

Question 71

Financial Authority

Answer 71

• Financial Authority represents the total amount any programme or project can spend,
• Financial Authority is derived solely from the Budget (for the current year) and Business Plan (for future years),
• Ordinarily Financial Authority cannot be changed except through the Budget or Business Plan process in a subsequent year,
• However, by exception Financial Authority can be transferred from one project or programme to another subject to formal approval by the CFO of TfL under delegated authority

Question 72

Budget

Answer 72

• The budget represents the detailed spend in the coming financial year,
• Budgets are not expected, in total, to differ from Business Plan when drawn up,
• Budgets are a Forecast at a moment in time, albeit that a Budget demands much more detailed review and in coming periods our performance will be measured against Budget,
• However, budgets form no part of the governance process, they are a financial yardstick to measure our performance against,
• Budgets influence, but do not drive, decisions

Question 73

How are Programme and Project Authorities approved?

Answer 73

• Programme and Project Authority is granted at one or more levels:, At Client Board within that Board’s delegated authority (£10m), At LUX within its delegated authority, At PIC,
• PIC Authority will generally be across a broad programme or like minded projects,
• LUX and/or Client Board Authority will, except in the case of programmatic work, be granted for specific projects,
• Programme and Project Authority cannot exceed Financial Authority,
• A request for Programme and Project Authority that exceeds Budget must be accompanied by details of how the shortfall will be met. ‘Through efficiency savings’ is not a sufficient answer,
• Programme and Project Authority is not a fixed number for a fixed time; as circumstances change additional Authority can be requested,
• Programme and Project Authority does not drive Estimated Final Cost nor Forecast calculations

Question 74

Forecast

Answer 74

• Forecasts represent the best and most realistic estimate of what the cost will be in the financial year and the phasing thereof.
• Forecasts are updated periodically,
• Forecasts are unconstrained by any other financial measure, Business Plan, Budget, EFC, Programme and Project Authority or Financial Authority,
• They can influence decisions about changing other financial measures, but are not a necessary prerequisite, i.e. they do not automatically lead to changes, but are a leading indicator of potential changes being necessary

Question 75

Estimated Final Cost

Answer 75

• Estimated Final Cost is a calculation of how much any individual programme or project will ultimately cost to deliver, including Risk ,
• Estimated Final Cost should be reviewed regularly, at least quarterly, and periodically in large and/or problematic cases,
• Estimated Final Cost is not driven or constrained by Programme and Project Authority, Budget, Business Plan, Forecast or Financial Authority. It is a realistic assessment, at a point in time, of what the final cost will be,
• It may though drive necessary action with regards to Programme and Project Authority or Financial Authority. It will also influence Forecast

Question 76

What is project risk?

Answer 76

• Risk is included in all projects and programmes,
• Risk is assessed based upon the likely occurrence of certain events happening through the programme/project life cycle and the impact if they do,
• If the event does not occur, or incurs less cost than the risk, then it is released as an efficiency or scope saving as appropriate,
• risk should be phased in accordance with the attendant spend profile and not phased at the end of the programme/project/year,
• If the associated spend is rephased in Forecast, Budget or Business Plan, the risk must be similarly rephased,

Question 77

Value of Work Done (‘VOWD’)

Answer 77

• VOWD is a measure of actual costs incurred to date,
• It does not equate to cash flow, and is independent of invoicing,
• Periodically a calculation must be undertaken to calculate what proportion of a project/programme’s total cost has been completed and that cost is recognised in the accounts,
• If invoices are received or cash paid later in the process, the VOWD cost is accrued onto the balance sheet,
• If invoices have been received or cash paid earlier in the process this is taken to the balance sheet as a prepayment,
• VOWD can include the receipt of goods or materials if these goods or materials can only be used on that project/programme,

Question 78

Procurement Authority

Answer 78

• Procurement Authority is provided by the Head of Procurement,
• It is a Commercial Authority, permitting the commitment of spend up to that Authority with third parties,
• Procurement Authority cannot exceed Programme and Project Authority,
• Procurement Authority does not influence anything more that Commercial decisions and interaction with suppliers,

Question 79

What are Causals? Name four.

Answer 79

•Causals explain the reasons for the movements between two numbers; actuals and forecast, actuals and budget, budget and forecast and any other combos

We report ten types of Causals: Acceleration, Cost increase, In year deferral, Out of year deferral, Scope increase, Scope decrease, Slippage, Transfers, Income, Efficiencies

Question 80

High Impact Low Probability events (HILPS)

Answer 80

• May be asset damage or fatalities
• Tends to result in a disproportionally severe response (politicians want someone/thing to blame-Prosecution-Reputational damage
• Negative response by insurers

Coronavirus, terrorism, nuclear disasters

Question 81

Ground risk

Answer 81

Which party should accept ground risk, should be shared or held by client.

The risk that ground conditions actually encountered will be less favourable than was expected at the time the contract was entered into.

Normally allocated to the party best suited to manage or control it (contractor)

For example the NEC3 Engineering and Construction NEC Contract provides for a compensation event in certain circumstances where the Contractor encounters physical conditions that had “such a small chance of occurring that it would have been unreasonable for him to have allowed for them” (clause 60.1(12)). However, in judging physical conditions for the purposes of a compensation event certain factors need to be taken into account, including site information provided to the Contractor (clause 60.2).

Question 82

Accident Triangle

Answer 82

The accident triangle, also known as Heinrich’s triangle or Bird’s triangle, is a theory of industrial accident prevention. It shows a relationship between serious accidents, minor accidents and near misses and proposes that if the number of minor accidents is reduced then there will be a corresponding fall in the number of serious accidents

Question 83

Anthropogenic Hazards

Answer 83

hazards caused by the action or inaction of man, compare to natural hazards. Anthropogenic hazards are easier to identify and design out than natural hazards in the earlier stages of the project

Question 84

Mass and Material Properties

Answer 84

Material properties - Colour, Grain size, texture, strength, hardness

Mass Properties - Bedding, discontinuities, faulting, folding

Material properties are those you could identify with a sample in the hand, mass properties are those seen in macro

In soft ground material properties govern design and stability in hard rock mass properties do

Question 85

Stratigraphy

Answer 85

The branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological timescale.

Question 86

Lithology

Answer 86

The study of the general physical characteristics of rocks.

Question 87

Compaction Grouting

Answer 87

Injection of low slump mortar though a casing, causes densification of soil through mortar bulb expansion

Question 88

FE Analysis limitations

Answer 88

Difficult to take into account construction tolerances, only as good as your inputs

Question 89

Sensitivity analysis

Answer 89

Sensitivity analysis is the study of how the uncertainty in the output of a mathematical model or system (numerical or otherwise) can be divided and allocated to different sources of uncertainty in its inputs

Question 90

Steel Fibre Reinforced concrete

Answer 90

Steel fibres in concrete mix provide reinforcement. Removes need for rebar cages which are costly/take time/ have to be stored/ require specialist labourSteel fibres reinforce all parts of the section so can resist cracking at edges- Do not corrode in the presence of chlorides- Provide good crack width and distribution control- Reduce accidental handling damage

Question 91

Cavitation

Answer 91

When water flows over a discontinuity or irregularity a high pressure bubble can form. If this bubble collapses against a surface it can cause damage to the material

Question 92

Carbonation

Answer 92

The ph of new concrete is typically 12-13, which surrounds embedded reinforcement with a passivating layer of highly alkaline cement, protecting reinforcement against corrosion., Atmospheric carbon dioxide reacts with calcium hydroxide . The reaction produces calcium carbonate. This reduces the alkalinity of the concrete to a level where the cement paste no longer provides a passive environment for embedded steel, this is said to occur when the ph of concrete falls to approximately 8.6.

Steel reinforcement is then thought to be susceptible to corrosion, The presence of oxygen initiates surface corrosion of the reinforcing steel through oxidation, where iron oxides form on the steel’ s surface. These oxides, although porous and flaky, have a larger volume than the original steel—up to six times greater depending on the composition of the corrosion products, Broomfield notes. The iron oxides expand against the concrete, and the resulting stress causes the concrete cover to crack and eventually spall.

Question 93

Empirical/analytical

Answer 93

An empirical model is based on experimental data, analytical model relies on fundamental scientific laws.

Question 94

Ground Settlement in tunneling, how does it behave, what effects it?

Answer 94

Settlement troughs roughly follow a standard distribution

• Also have a “bow” wave ahead of the tunnel face
• Volume loss depends on: Soil, depth, tunnelling method, speed of face closure, groundwater, flexibility of lining, advance length-Deeper tunnels have a wider trough with a smaller max depth, shallower tunnels have the opposite
• Have to consider the long term movements due to the change in groundwater pressure from current to long term
• Base readings of settlement within in a tunnel will not account for settlement that has already occurred due to the bow wave

Question 95

Causes of Building Movement

Answer 95

• Structural movement- Thermal movement- Exposure to moisture- Ground settlement

Question 96

What are the damage categories for structures?

Answer 96

Burland scale

Negligible, very slight, slight (aesthetic) 0-2, moderate, severe (Serviceability or function) 3-4, very severe (Stability) 5

Defined by crack width or tensile strain.

Three stage assessment of structures -

S1 - preliminary - Simple screening, if settlement >10mm or 1:500 slope move to stage 2

S2 - Second stage assessment, Idealisation of facade or wall of building to behave like a deep elastic beam (ok results)

S3 Detailed Assessment

Question 97

Concrete Characteristics

Answer 97

• Compressive Strength
• Flowability
• Segregation/bleed
• Pumpability
• Open time(transport)
• Early Strength
• Heat of hydration
• Shrinkage
• Permeability
• Reinforcement
• Chemical resistance
• Abrasion resistance

Question 98

Cold joint

Answer 98

• When fresh concrete is poured next to concrete that has already gone off meaning the two batches dont mix

Question 99

Makeup of SCL concrete v standard concrete

Answer 99

In SCL - More fine aggregates, water, cement and admixtures- Less coarse aggregates

Question 100

Penetrometer

Answer 100

For measuring early age strength of concrete by inserting needle to a depth and measuring how much force was required

Question 101

Cost of waterproofing

Answer 101

Waterproofing is around 1% of cost of civils works, water ingress accounts for 80% of damages

Question 102

DRACCT

Answer 102

Directors Risk Assurance and Change Control Team

Question 103

Optimism bias

Answer 103

Optimism bias is the tendency for those involved in projects, as funders, managers or beneficiaries, to be too optimistic in terms of forecasting project costs, scale, timing and benefits. Accordingly, advice is that in any appraisal an optimism bias adjustment should be made.

Question 104

Reference Class Forecasting

Answer 104

Adjusting cost and programme upwards (40%) in line with previous overruns of similar projects (reference class)

Question 105

Planning Fallacy

Answer 105

The tendency for people to think things will cost less and be quicker to complete

Question 106

Quality

Answer 106

Compliance with a defined requirement - value for money, fitness for purpose, customer specification

Question 107

Quantity Surveyor

Answer 107

Commercial oversite of site, preparation of financial reports, budgets and forecasts

Question 108

Planned Preventative Maintenance

Answer 108

Surveys, inspections examinations and assessments of assets - Designed to prolong service life, reduce failures, maintain required performance and ensure safe operation

Question 109

Service Affecting Failure

Answer 109

A failure that causes a delay of over two minutes

Question 110

Culvert

Answer 110

Drainage tunnel under a road or highway

Question 111

Corporate Governance

Answer 111

The systems of rules, practices and processes by which a company is directed and controlled

Question 112

Social Identity

Answer 112

Race, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, gender

Question 113

SCADA

Answer 113

Supervisory control and data acquisition

Question 114

Operation and Maintenance manuals

Answer 114

Handover documentation detailing the operation and maintenance requirements of an asset. Legally required under HSAWA

Question 115

Signal Failure

Answer 115

Signals always “failsafe”. Often occur when there is a short circuit between running rails, can be caused by puddles, iron filings between abutting rails, rodents chewing cables, LV current runs in running rails for signalling

Question 116

Floating Track Slab

Answer 116

Any track slab arrangement that has a suspension system between the track slab and the invert, can be resilient membrane or spring system

Question 117

Catchpit

Answer 117

Concrete drainage element that Is used to collect sediment that settles out of fluid

Question 118

Head House

Answer 118

The above ground element of a shaft

Question 119

Galvanising

Answer 119

Steel or iron coated n zinc to prevent rusting, zinc acts as a sacrificial layer (anode) and protects the steel from corroding elements

Question 120

Loss Leader

Answer 120

A product sold at a loss to attract customers

Question 121

Construction Industry Training Board

Answer 121

Collects an annual levy from its members which is then distributed for learning and development.

Question 122

Stringer

Answer 122

Inclined beam that supports stair treads

Question 123

Highways Authority

Answer 123

Responsible for the maintenance of public roads - Trunk roads (motorways) - Highways England,

Local roads - Local authority

Question 124

Pile Cropping

Answer 124

Removal of concrete from top of pile to facilitate structural linking with beam slab etc.

Question 125

Cross stitching of cracks

Answer 125

Using rebar down to stitch cracks (inserted at an angle from each side)

Question 126

Caveat Emptor

Answer 126

Buyer beware, buyer knows less than the seller but has more motive to find the truth

Question 127

Lane Rental Scheme

Answer 127

Charges to those doing works on tfl controlled streets. Price dependant upon duration, traffic, location, sensitivity of time and place

Question 128

OJEU Procurement

Answer 128

Official Journal of the EU procurement -

Published daily showing include invitations to tender, prior information notices, qualification systems and contract award notices.

If a public authority contract is above certain contract value (above £120k for central govt), EC Procurement Regulations require that the contract has to be awarded using an EU/OJEU compliant route to market. This can include publishing the opportunity via OJEU.

Can add to programme due to mandated advertisement periods.

Question 129

Stopping up order

Answer 129

When a borough stops up area of public highway meaning it ceases to be a highway road or footpath

Question 130

Leasehold

Answer 130

Method of owning property where you do not own the land it stands upon, when the lease expires the property reverts to the freeholder

Question 131

Freehold

Answer 131

Outright ownership of the property and land

Question 132

Target and forecast dates

Answer 132

Target is your baseline date and forecast date is your best current estimate

Question 133

1st 2nd 3rd line assurance

Answer 133

1st line - project/programme board, change control procedures, reporting, risk management strategy,

2nd line - Assurance review manager, IAR

3rd line - Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group

Question 134

Information Asymmetry

Answer 134

When one party knows more than the other

Question 135

Procure 2 Pay

Answer 135

1 PM raises purchase request - approval by cost centre manager/programme manager/MD dependant upon value

2 PO raised by PM - released by procurement team, vendor receives PO and goods services are delivered

3 PM confirms receipt of goods

4 Vendor sends invoice which is matched to relevant purchasing documents by accounts payable (PO and invoice - two way match, PO invoice and goods receipt., three way match)- SME vendors paid within ten days (mayoral pledge and KPI)

Question 136

Task order/request

Answer 136

Task request - Asking for price and programme for a stated brief

Task Order - ordering the contractor to commence work

Question 137

C2/C3 utilities

Answer 137

C2 - Initial enquiry regarding the location of existing apparatus

C3 - Budget estimate for works that are needed to be undertaken to alter existing plant or equipment

C4 - Detailed estimate for works

Question 138

What is enhancement of an asset?

Answer 138

Works that change the operational capability of an asset

Question 139

RISQS

Answer 139

Railway industry supplier qualification scheme

Question 140

Development length of rebar

Answer 140

The length of embedment required for rebar in concrete to develop by bond a force equal to the tensile strength of the rebar

Question 141

Critical steel ratio

Answer 141

To ensure concrete fails in tension before Steel, If steel fails first large progressive failures are possible ( Ductile failures are good, brittle failures are bad)

Question 142

Soil arching

Answer 142

The transfer of pressure from a yielding mass of soil on to a stationary part due to shearing resistance between the stationary and yielding masses

Question 143

Needle beam

Answer 143

Horizontal beam that go through a wall or pier to support the upper section of a structure whilst the lower section is worked upon, used in facade retention

Question 144

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Answer 144

Covers legal costs of defending a claim related to the provision of inadequate advice, service or design

Question 145

What is Concrete cover and what is its purpose

Answer 145

• To protect rebar from environmental attack (corrosion, carbonation)
• To provide thermal insulation in case of fire
• To provide sufficient embedding to prevent the rebar from slipping when stressed

Question 146

Notice to treat

Answer 146

Formal request from a local authority to agree a price for a property, can take months/years to complete

Question 147

Cold rolling/hot rolling steel

Answer 147

Cold rolling - More dimensional accuracy, less section options

Hot rolling - Can be shaped much easier, larger section sizes can be made, cheaper. Less precise, larger tolerances

Question 148

Bulking factor

Answer 148

Ratio of volume of soil before and after excavation

Question 149

Fish plate

Answer 149

Connection plate between two steel sections

Question 150

Statutory requirement

Answer 150

A requirement designated by law , legal requirement

Question 151

Patent/latent defects

Answer 151

Patent defects can be discovered by reasonable inspection, latent defects can not (e.g. foundations)

Question 152

Settlement deed

Answer 152

A binding commitment addressing settlement issues

Question 153

Greenfield ground settlement contour

Answer 153

Ignores the positive contributions of foundations upon settlement in an area. Less than 10mm settlement tends to have a negligible impact upon buildings (not including listed)

Question 154

Caisson

Answer 154

Water retaining structure for the purpose of construction below the water level (part of the permanent structure unlike cofferdams)

Question 155

HIAB

Answer 155

Synonym for a loader crane of any type

Question 156

Chapter 8 barriers

Answer 156

Red pedestrian barriers

Question 157

Baseline monitoring

Answer 157

Should be completed several seasons before works commence to take into account seasonal changes-

Visual condition surveys for assets within 1-10mm contour

• More detailed defect surveys for those in >10mm contour (greater than >1mm for listed buildings)

Question 158

Cracked concrete

Answer 158

Concrete that may experience cracking through the plane of the anchor, determined through stress analysis

Question 159

Blinding

Answer 159

In construction, blinding is a base layer of weak concrete or sand that is laid above a layer of hardcore to provide a clean, level and dry working surface.

Question 160

Hold point

Answer 160

A point where the client must be alerted that the work is ready for inspection, client comes to sign off, if client does not attend in reasonable time then CE

Question 161

Witness Point

Answer 161

Client is alerted but works may proceed without their presence

Question 162

Monitor point

Answer 162

No special action required, no need to notify client

Question 163

Floated finish

Answer 163

Concrete finishing process using a machine with a large circular pan to provide a smooth finish

Question 164

Cracking the bolts

Answer 164

Loosening the bolts on timber formwork after the concrete has gone off to the stop the timber from attaching to the concrete

Question 165

Acrow prop

Answer 165

Telescopic tubular steel prop

Question 166

Shoring

Answer 166

Temporary support, raking shores are inclined, waling is another name for horizontal shores

Question 167

Autogenous shrinking of concrete

Answer 167

Concrete shrinkage caused by water rapidly drawing down into the hydration process causing capillaries which can cause shrinkage and cracking. Can be mitigated by keeping surface hydrated during curing process

Question 168

Creep

Answer 168

creep (sometimes called cold flow) is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform permanently under the influence of persistent mechanical stresses

Question 169

Drying shrinkage of concrete

Answer 169

Drying shrinkage is the contracting of a hardened concrete mixture due to the loss of capillary water.

This shrinkage causes an increase in tensile stress, which may lead to cracking, internal warping, and external deflection, before the concrete is subjected to any kind of loading.

Question 170

Shrinkage compensated concrete

Answer 170

Made with expansive concrete. Proportioned so that concrete will expand after setting. the exp. Is restrained by internal reinforcement causing compressive stresses. When the concrete eventually shrinks the compressive stress are simply reduced rather than going into tension and potentially causing cracking

Question 171

Novation

Answer 171

The process by which contractual rights and obligations are transferred from one party to another

Question 172

Space app

Answer 172

Used if space is required on operational property. App gets circulated to determine whether there are any planned requirements to use the space

Question 173

Fleet operator recognition scheme

Answer 173

A voluntary scheme that promotes best practice in commercial vehicle operators. Safety efficiency and environmental protection above the legal requirements

Question 174

Force Majeure

Answer 174

Legal term for events out of control or unforeseen circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract e.g. war, riot, terrorism

Question 175

Maintenance costs

Answer 175

Rough maintenance costs of stations are 1.5% of capital value of assets annually.

L+E - 2.5%

Question 176

0-rated ply

Answer 176

Fire resistant ply (combustibility and smoke emissions are the two measures by which this is calculated)

Question 177

Execution class

Answer 177

A specified quality for steel fabrication 1- low ,2a, 2b, 3 High

Question 178

Asbestos

Answer 178

Most common location of asbestos in LU are gaskets, concrete walls, cabling. Non friable materials are those that are not easily converted into airborne particles. Asbestos was used for its fire temperature and chemical resistance as well as its durability and flexibility

Question 179

Concrete ordering

Answer 179

Done by the m3 a standard truck holds 6-8m3

Question 180

Screed

Answer 180

A finishing concrete layer with smaller aggregate, normally 50-100mm

Question 181

Curtain wall

Answer 181

A non structural cladding system for the external walls of buildings. They only support their own weight and transfer other loads back to the primary structure

Question 182

Active and passive fire protection

Answer 182

Active - Systems that require an amount of motion or response in order to work e.g. fire exit, sprinkler system, foam and gas systems

Passive - Fire protection that requires no activation - firewalls, fire dampers, spray fireproofing, fire doors

Question 183

Fruin level of service

Answer 183

A qualitative measure used to relate the quality of pedestrian movement in crowding situations LOS A-F (A good)

Question 184

What are the types of pile walls?

Answer 184

Contiguous - used to retain stiff and cohesive soils, piles with 15-100mm gaps between piles

Interlocking - Gaps between primary piles are filled with secondary soft piles (unreinforced) to just below the depth of the final excavation. Reduces water ingress

Secant Similar to interlocking but secondary piles are not unreinforced or weaker, cost effective alternative to a diaphragm wall

Question 185

LU piling exclusion zone

Answer 185

+- 6m above and below, +-3m either side of asset

Question 186

Office of rail and road

Answer 186

Safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railways.

Responsible for ensuring railway operations in Britain comply with health and safety law. Also regulates national rails activities and funding arrangements. ORR investigate incidents on operational rail, HSE for construction

Question 187

Root Cause Analysis

Answer 187

A method of problem solving to determine the root cause of a s problem. A factor is considered a root cause if its removal from the problem fault sequence prevents the final undesirable event form occurring. A causal factor is one that effects an events outcome but not its root cause.

Question 188

Plunge columns

Answer 188

Columns installed into rotary bored piles and set with concrete to facilitate top down construction

Question 189

Slurry wall construction

Answer 189

A set of guide walls are excavated and constructed to 1m to outline the slurry walls. A clamshell digger or trench cutter is used to excavate between the guide walls whilst maintaining its fill with bentonite slurry to prevent collapse. Once the trench is excavated a reinforcement cage is lowered in the slurry and then concrete pumped from the toe using tremie pipes

Question 190

Cofferdam

Answer 190

a watertight enclosure that is pumped dry to enable construction below the waterline (not a part of the permanent structure unlike caissons)

Question 191

Thomas Telford

Answer 191

The publishing arm of the ICE

Question 192

Standards Baseline

Answer 192

Tfl Standards are frozen at contract award and detailed in the WI. Can be changed in the case of safety critical amendments to a standard. Has to be instructed and may lead to a CE

Question 193

Kentledge

Answer 193

Weight used as ballast or counterweight

Question 194

CIRIA

Answer 194

Construction industry research and information association

Question 195

Edge distance of bolts in conc

Answer 195

Bolts in concrete have a cone of influence which the anchor affects and is affected by. If two are too close together the COI interact and can reduce.

Question 196

Toolbox items for tunnelling/excavation

Answer 196

Additonal SCL, shortening of advance length, pocket excavation, probe drilling, safe stop procedure, well interception, wedge support

Question 197

VE of drainage

Answer 197

Savings of £300k were made at the VE stage by removing drainage systems at TCR. As of 2017 they have spent £3m rectifying issues due to water ingress

Question 198

Permanent way

Answer 198

Rails, fasteners, sleepers, ballast and subgrade

Question 199

Bolt grades

Answer 199

8.8 - 8 refers to ultimate tensile strength (800N/mm2) second 8 refers to percentage of UTS that is yield strength (800*.8=640N/mm2)

Question 200

RMD superslims

Answer 200

Formwork primary beams

Question 201

Ardex A46

Answer 201

Quick drying repair mortar

Question 202

Identified Term

Answer 202

Shown in italics in contracts e.g. PM, client

Question 203

Copex

Answer 203

Flexible conduit

Question 204

Digital Twin

Answer 204

A virtual model of something that combines geospatial and performance data overlaid with operational data to produce a model that can be tested under various scenarios

Question 205

Earthing

Answer 205

Earthing is the practice of intentionally electrically connecting all exposed metallic items not designed to carry electricity in a room or building as protection from electric shock. If a failure of electrical insulation occurs, all bonded metal objects in the room will have substantially the same electrical potential

Bonding to electrical earth is used extensively to ensure that all conductors (person, surface and product) are at the same electrical potential. When all conductors are at the same potential no discharge can occur.

Question 206

Bonding

Answer 206

Bonding is the act of joining two electrical conductors together.

Bonding brings elements that are not designed to carry current to the same electrical potential.

Question 207

IP rating

Answer 207

Enclosure rating for exclusion of objects/water. First number refers to solid particle protection (0-6) and second digit to Liquid ingress protection (0-9). other letters on the end refer to other forms of protection (tools, oils etc)

Question 208

What are the differences between an Accident and an Incident

Answer 208

Accident: any unplanned event that resulted in injury or ill health of people, or damage or loss to property, plant, materials or the environment or a loss of business opportunity

Incident:
near miss: an event not causing harm, but has the potential to cause injury or ill health
undesired circumstance: a set of conditions or circumstances that have the potential to cause injury or ill health, eg untrained nurses handling heavy patients
dangerous occurrence: one of a number of specific, reportable adverse events, as defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

Question 209

Earth Continuity Check

Answer 209

To ensure a bonded structure (e.g. a scaffold) is earthed across the entirety of the structure and not just elements

Question 210

Earth Impedance test

Answer 210

To ensure that an element has been earthed correctly

Question 211

Blue roof

Answer 211

A structure incorporating water retention assets

Question 212

What is a variation to a contract?

Answer 212

• A variation is an amendment to the scope of works of a contract (addition, subtraction or omission). Can be caused by ongoing design developments, material non-availability, geological anomalies, change in conditions, statutory changes.
• Could include changes to design, quantities, quality, working conditions, sequence of works.
• Variations may give rise to additions or deductions from the contract sum. The valuation of variations may include not just the work which the variation instruction describes, but other expenses that may result from the variation, such as the impact on other aspects of the works. Variations may also (but not necessarily) require adjustment of the completion date.
• Variations may be valued by: Agreement between the contractor and the client. The cost consultant. A variation quotation prepared by the contractor and accepted by the client. By some other method agreed by the contractor and the client.

Question 213

LU standing orders

Answer 213

Standing Orders are the primary internal governance document for TfL. They set out, the role and responsibilities of the Board, the decision-making structure and, proceedings of the Board and the delegation of authorities to groups and individuals, within TfL” see Investment Governance Session.pdf

Question 214

Economic Indicators (4 No.)

Answer 214

Gross value added - (the measure of the value of goods and services produced in an area, industry or sector of an economy. “Gross value added is the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption”)
Employment
Inflation
Household consumption

Question 215

What is the PFI?

Answer 215

A way of creating public private partnerships where private firms are contracted to complete and manage public projects.

Under a private finance initiative, the private company handles the up-front costs instead of the government. The project is then leased to the public and the government authority makes annual payments to the private company. These contracts are typically given to construction firms and can last as long as 30 years or more. Always more expensive than public funding

2011 78B of total capital value of which 210B was owed by the taxpayer
According to critics, PFI has been used simply to place a great amount of debt “off-balance-sheet”.[4]

Carillion/metronet is an example of a failure.

Question 216

Axes of movement

Answer 216

Longitudinal, lateral (pitch) and vertical

Question 217

Business Rates

Answer 217

Business rates are a tax on property used for business. Paid by most non domestic properties.

Question 218

Greater London Authority

Answer 218

• Regional Governance body for London.
• Two branches, Mayoralty and 25 member london assembly (checks and balances on first).
• Powers over transport policing, economic development and fire and emergency planning (Tfl, mayors office for policing and crime and the london fire commissioner are responsible for delivery of these services)
• Policies are detailed in the London Plan.
• Funded by direct gov grant and some money from council tax.
• Improves coordination of 32 London boroughs

Question 219

Vision Zero

Answer 219

Eliminate death and serious injury from London Roads by 2041

Question 220

Operating cost per km (bus tube rail)

Answer 220

Tube ~£24, bus £5, Road £1, Rail ~£25

Question 221

Safety Critical

Answer 221

These tasks include driving and dispatching trains, signalling, installation of components and maintenance, ensuring safety of persons working on the track (provision of protection), etc.

Safety Critical Tasks are activities that need to be completed as to meet the minimum safety requirements of ROGS.

Question 222

Judicial review

Answer 222

A judicial review (JR) process allows people (or groups) to challenge the lawfulness of decisions or actions of the Executive. The Executive includes; ministers, local authorities, public bodies and those exercising public functions.

Question 223

Federated Model

Answer 223

Federated Model means a Model consisting of connected but distinct individual Models.

Question 224

Crash vs protection deck

Answer 224

Protection deck provides access and would stop small materials from falling. Crash deck would support structure if it failed

Question 225

Sectional Completion

Answer 225

Sectional completion refers to a provision within construction (NEC X5) contracts allowing different completion dates for different sections of the works. Requires multiple completion dates.

Common on large projects and allows the client to take possession of the completed parts whilst construction continues on others.

The extent of each section must be clearly defined and liquidated damages, and the amount of retention that will be released must be specified for each section.

Rectification period begins, client now responsible for insurance/damages

Question 226

Liquidated/unliquidated damages

Answer 226

LD are damages for a breach of contract. The values are defined in the contract.

Aims to be compensatory for the damaged party for a specific breach (late performance) rather than penal for the party in breach.

UD’s are those which are sufficiently uncertain as to make it unfeasible to define prior to the breach occurring.

Question 227

What is a Quango?

Answer 227

A quango or QUANGO is a quasi non-governmental organisation. It is typically an organisation to which a government has devolved power, but which is still partly controlled and/or financed by government bodies

Question 228

What are actuals?

Answer 228

The actuals reflect how much revenue or expense an account has actually generated.

A budget is only an estimate of the revenues and expenses that you project will occur on your account for the fiscal year.

Question 229

Spend profile

Answer 229

The Spend Profile is an expansion of the Estimate that profiles of spend in the estimate throughout the Project. It is to define for each Deliverable how much is planned to be spent and when. The Spend Profile will be used to ensure that the Estimates and Schedule are realistic and achievable.

Question 230

What Percentage of projects go over budget and over programme?

Answer 230

80-90% of projects go overbudget and over programme

Question 231

What is strategic misrepresentation in project planning?

Answer 231

When a planner/org is incentivized to misrepresent the business cases for the projects in their benefit-cost analysis. Underestimate costs, overestimate benefits.

To increase their chances of getting funded and getting approval for their projects.

Question 232

What is the UK green book?

Answer 232

HM Treasury guidance on how to appraise and evaluate policies, projects and programmes.

Updated 2018 In March 2018, the Green Book was revised to capture more detail around environmental appraisal greater prominence to “wellbeing”

setting out approved techniques and a defined approach, the Green Book should create consistency,

With much, and in some cases all, of the evidence that forms the basis of an appraisal drawing on the current economic position of different regions - average salaries, gross value added (GVA) per job, etc - it is often those areas with stronger economies that come out more favourably. This can then make it harder to make a case for investment in the places that need it most.

Question 233

Bottom up and top down construction

Answer 233

Top down construction creates a below ground structure from the “top down” building the permanent structure methods as excavation proceeds.
Programme savings.

Bottom up - excavate down, construct up.

Question 234

What was in the State of the Nation Report 2020

Answer 234

tbc

Question 235

What are some of the causes of cost and programme overruns in construction?

Answer 235

1. Inaccurate estimates and programme - risk of mistakes, disputes and confusion.
2. Labour costs - Quality labour hard to find and hold on to, costs increasing. 12% abroad (Check figure)
3. Poor communication - Inconsistencies in reporting make it difficult to react, leads to delays and cost overruns.
4. Relationship breakdown and Disputes Subcontractor issues, poor contract administration.
5. Inefficient payment processes - The application for payment function is a critical element of the construction process.

Question 236

What are the principles of 10% assurance?

Answer 236

TfL review only 10% of a contractors submission.

Built on the principle that we have accredited our designers to be competent and we should only be accepting their submissions rather than reviewing them.

When we review a document we can then be seen to be liable for any mistakes we may have missed. If a material error is found in the 10% reviewed you may then go on to review 20 or 30% etc.

Eng resource are ““Delegate engineers”” rather than ““assurance engineers”” to clarify that we do not assure works.

• Further we would move to reject any programme that had multiple review periods as it implies that they will be submitting work that they do not expect to be correct.
• Contractors know that we carry out thorough reviews and will submit less assured documents as they know that we will correct their errors for them, they can spend less time and utilise less competent resource.”

Question 237

What were the findings of the Farmers Review 2016?

Answer 237

UK’s construction industry faces ‘inexorable decline’

• Dysfunctional training model
• Lack of innovation and collaboration
• non-existent (R&D) culture.
• High levels of cost inflation, driven by labour shortages
• More people leave the industry each year than join it, construction workforce is shrinking
• There is little incentive for contractors to invest in long-term training when they are increasingly reliant on a fractured supply chain and self-employment.The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) should have strategic oversight of implementing the recommendations.
  The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) should be comprehensively reviewed and reformed.
  A reformed CITB should reorganise its grant funding model for skills and training aligned to a future modernised industry.
  Investment in R&D and innovation in construction by changing commissioning trends from traditional to pre-manufactured approaches.
  A comprehensive innovation programme to define key measures of progress and report regularly against these.
  A public-facing story and image for the holistic ‘built environment’ process, including an outreach programme.
  Government willingness to intervene to help establish and maintain appropriate skills capacity.
  Government should promote the use of pre-manufactured solutions in the housing sector.
  Government should assemble and publish a comprehensive pipeline of demand in the new-build housing sector.
  Government should consider a behavioural deterrent scheme similar to the ‘carrier bag charge’, taxing businesses that buy construction work in a way that doesn’t support industry innovation or skills development.

Question 238

What were three of the root causes identified in the Farmers Review 2016?

Answer 238

RC1 - Industry evolves a survivalist shape, structure and behaviour - low levels of capitalisation/investment and high demand cyclicality
RC2 - Industry and clients have non aligned interests reinforced by traditional procurement and resistance to change
RC3 - No strategic or financial incentive to change, no framework to implement change

Question 239

What are the two types of ground improvement?

Answer 239

Those that create inclusions - Piles (steel/concrete), jet grouting

Those that dont create inclusions - compaction, surcharge, dewatering, freezing, permation grouting”

Question 240

What are the two components of occupational health?

Answer 240

Fitness for work - Can the op do the work - fitness checks

Preventing illl health due to work - vibration, noise, fatigue, dust, lead, radiation, heat/cold air pressure, chemicals

Question 241

What are the five risk management responses?

Answer 241

“Risk management responses can be a mix of five main actions; transfer, tolerate, treat, terminate or take the opportunity.,
 Tolerate; the ability to do anything about some risks may be limited, or the cost of taking any action may be disproportionate to the potential benefit gained. Risk should be tracked so managers are ready to reconsider should it start to escalate. Tolerance levels need to be set.
 Transfer;- conventional insurance or by supporting a third party to take the risk in another way.,
 Treat; -Most common. Taking action to reduce the chance of the risk occurring to contain it to an acceptable level.
 Terminate the risk by doing things differently thus removing the risk where it is feasible to do so
 Take opportunity - If risk is positive, than maximise

Question 242

What does the fee in NEC contracts cover?

Answer 242

Costs, overheads and profit.

Question 243

What age group tends to be disproportionately represented in construction fatalities?

Answer 243

Over the last few decades, the people dying on construction sites have increasingly been older workers, whereas previously they tended to be younger ones with little experience. One theory is that the training and education is effective for younger people, but there may be a behavioural issues with more veteran workers. Whilst, they have received much more training over their careers, they have ‘got away’ with doing things unsafely for so long that they struggle to break the habit or appreciate the risks. This is why there were:
• 0.25 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 16 to 25;
• 0.53 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 55 to 59;
• 0.92 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 60 to 64; and
• 1.99 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 65+.

Question 244

What is the defects date?

Answer 244

The defects date is set out in the contract data and is a duration from the completion date, (typically 26/52 weeks)

The defects date is the last date on which the supervisor or the contractor can give a notification of defects and is also the last date on which compensation events can be notified.

At, or just after the defects date the supervisor issues a defects certificate, which either certifies that there are no remaining patent defects, or lists any uncorrected defects.

This triggers the release of any remaining retention, although if there are any remaining defects listed on the defects certificate, a withholding notice may be served and retention may continue to be held.

Question 245

What is the defects correction period?

Answer 245

The defects correction period is set out in the contract data and defines the maximum period within which the contractor must rectify a notified defect, although the contractor is required to rectify defects, whether they are notified of it or not.

For defects notified before completion, the defects correction period begins on completion. For defects notified after completion, but before the defects date, it begins on notification. Different defects correction periods can be specified for different types of defects.

If notified defects are not rectified within the defects correction period, they may be rectified by others and the cost reimbursed by the contractor.

Client pays for defects before defect date but this increases defined cost of contractor so their gain share is reduced.

Question 246

What is the strength development of concrete over time?

Answer 246

Age	   Strength %
1 day	   16%
3 days	   40%
7 days	   65%
14 days	   90%
28 days	   99%

Question 247

What is the National Infrastructure Commission

Answer 247

The NIC is the executive agency responsible for providing expert advice to the Government on infrastructure challenges facing the UK.

Undertakes a national infrastructure assessment during each Parliament.

Undertakes studies in specific areas of infrastructure.

Makes recommendations to the government, and monitors the government’s progress on infrastructure.

Question 248

What is in the Government construction strategy?

Answer 248

2011 - 2015
- Reduce the cost of public sector construction by up to 20% by the end of the parliament

2016 - 2020

• Plans to deliver £1.7 billion of efficiencies and 20,000 apprenticeships.
• BIM level 2
• Payment - undisputed invoices paid within 30 days

Government is the biggest single construction client, and as such, it should be using its position to drive collaboration and deliver efficiencies and better value for the taxpayer.

Question 249

What is a PAS?

Answer 249

Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) are fast-track standards, specifications, codes of practice or guidelines developed by sponsoring organisations to meet an immediate market need.

They set industry-wide standards and are produced collaboratively by key stakeholders. If a majority consensus can be achieved, and if they are endorsed by BSI, then PAS function as if they are British Standards.

Can be developed in ~8 months

Question 250

What is inflation? What effect does it have on industry?

Answer 250

The inflation rate measures the annual percentage rise in the cost of living.

A rise in inflation leads to higher cost of raw materials and wage costs. This causes volatility and uncertainty - firms may hold back from making investment decisions.

Firms generally prefer a low and stable inflation rate.

With inflation rise firms may expect rising interest rates, which will increase cost of borrowing.

Question 251

What are section 12 stations?

Answer 251

“enclosed stations” for the purposes of section 12 of the Fire Precautions (Sub-Surface Railway Stations) Regulations 2009.

Question 252

What incentivizes contractors to issue EWN’s?

Answer 252

If the Contractor does not give an early warning which he ought to have given and a compensation event then occurs, the event can be assessed as if the Contractor had given an early warning.

This allows the Project Manager to use the benefit of hindsight to decline to award extra time and/or money to the Contractor which would not have been incurred if an early warning had been given.

Question 253

What is a Target cost contract? When would it be used?

Answer 253

Target cost contracts can be useful where the extent of the work to be done is not fully defined or where the risks anticipated are, for some reason, greater than usual.

The financial risks are shared between by the employer and the Contractor in a way which is meant to ensure that the Contractor is motivated to carry out the works as cost efficiently as possible.

Question 254

What are defects? What percentage of a projects cost is attributed to defects rectification?

Answer 254

Defects are parts of the works not in accordance with the works information.

Defect rectification makes up 4-5% of the average projects EFC.

Question 255

What are some of the other (non NEC) forms of construction contract?

Answer 255

JCT (The Joint Contracts Tribunal), most commonly used form of contract, FIDIC (used internationally), ACA ,(Association of Consultant Architects), CIOB (chartered institute of building), bespoke contracts (difficult to draft, ambiguous, no case law)

Question 256

Compare and contrast NEC and JCT

Answer 256

JCT has provisional sums (can be ambiguous, if you cant price it dont include it and complete a CE)

In the JCT contract ground risk is with the contractor. However, the NEC contract uses the ICE forseeability test in relation to ground conditions.

The JCT contract does not have a programme as a contractual document. The programme is at the heart of the NEC ethos. It is a contractual document and to be regularly updated. The NEC contract also has key concepts such as float, completion float and time risk allowances.

JCT focuses on liabilities and risk in the manner of traditional contracts whereas NEC requires and enables a more proactive and collaborative approach to managing the contract (such as found in the early warning and programme provisions). a feature of NEC is the drafting in plain English and providing for clarity and flexibility. NEC attempts to eliminate the use of legal terms and instead provides for simple language

Question 257

When would you choose a Lump sum contract (fixed price, priced)

Answer 257

In a lump-sum contract, the owner has essentially assigned all the risk to the contractor (there are fewer mechanisms to vary their price), who in turn can be expected to ask for a higher markup in order to take care of unforeseen contingencies.

LS is used if the requested work is well-defined and construction drawings are completed.

It is also a preferred choice when stable soil conditions, complete pre-construction studies, and assessments are completed and the contractor has analyzed those documents.

Question 258

What is an Unbalanced Bid?

Answer 258

Many contractors will produce an unbalanced bid by rising unit prices on items to be completed early in the project, such as mobilization, insurances, and general conditions, and lowering unit prices on items needed in later stages.

Question 259

What are Defined terms?

Answer 259

Any capitalised terms within the contract mean that they are a defined term of which a definition will be found in section 11 of the contract, whilst any italicised terms within the contract will be quantified within Contract Data Part 1 of a particular contract.

Question 260

What percentage of EFC is design cost

Answer 260

7-10%

Question 261

What is a diaphragm wall?

Answer 261

A diaphragm wall is a structural concrete wall constructed in a deep trench excavation, either cast in situ or using precast concrete components.

Diaphragms walls are often used on congested sites, close to existing structures, where there is restricted headroom, or where the excavation is of a depth that would otherwise require the removal of much greater volumes of soil to provide stable battered slopes.

Question 262

What is used to provide an auditable trail of waste movement?

Answer 262

A waste transfer note (WTN) is a document that details the transfer of waste from one person to another. WTNs ensure that there is a clear audit trail from when the waste is produced until it is disposed of.

You have a legal responsibility to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment.

Duty of Care extends along the entire chain of management of your waste. If you think that your waste is not being managed correctly you must take action to check and prevent this.

You must:

segregate, store and transport your waste appropriately and securely, making sure that you do not cause any pollution or harm to human health
check that your waste is transported and handled by people or businesses that are authorised to do so
complete waste transfer notes, including a full, accurate description of the waste, to document all waste you transfer, and keep them as a record for at least two years.

Question 263

What are scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?

Answer 263

The Green House Gas Protocol Corporate Standard (the most widely used standard for assessing emissions) classifies a company’s greenhouse gas emissions into three ‘scopes’:
• Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (e.g. non electrical fuel consumed for transport or operations).
• Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.
• Scope 3 emissions are all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company (e.g. embodied carbon of materials, waste disposal, outsourced activities). These are generally broken down into upstream and downstream emissions.

Question 264

What happens if a latent defect is identified after the defects date?

Answer 264

After the end of the defects liability period the building owner does not have a contractual right to insist that the contractor rectifies defects not notified during that period (as will often be the case with latent defects).

The building owner must instead seek redress in an action for damages, for breach of contract, or for negligence.

Actions for breach of contract are time barred after 6/12 years from the date of breach, depending on whether the contract was under seal. (Limitation period)

Question 265

What is the CE process?

Answer 265

Notification; PM or Contractor notifies other of a CE, PM responds yes, provide quote or no, it is not a CE

Quotation; Quotation prepared in three weeks that details impact on cost and programme. PM accepts, rescinds CE, says CE has not been quoted properly and needs to be resubmitted (alternatively PM is going to prepare quote)

Assessment; A compensation event is assessed as the effect of the event on:

The actual Defined Cost for work already done plus the Fee 
The forecast Defined Cost for work not yet done plus the Fee
Planned Completion as shown on the latest accepted programme.

Implementation. - When a compensation event is ‘implemented’ it means it is finalised and cannot be changed by the parties, only by an adjudicator.

Question 266

Why could something be deemed not a CE?

Answer 266

The event is the Contractor’s fault;

It has not occurred or is not going to occur;

It has no effect on the Defined Cost and the Completion Date;

It is not one of the listed events.

Question 267

What are international carbon credits?

Answer 267

A carbon credit is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of a different greenhouse gas (tCO2e)

Question 268

What is the optional clause X17, how can it affect Whole Life Cost

Answer 268

X17 is performance damages.
In the WI for contractors design they are required to specify specific performance of an asset.

If the asset does not hit the required performance than the contractor is liable for performance damages which are defined.

Testing has to be very clearly defined

Question 269

What is the NEC4 Alliance Contract?

Answer 269

An alliance is where the client and key members of the supply chain are engaged under a single multi-party contract with shared objectives, risks and rewards.

The potential benefit of using the new ALC is a much deeper collaboration between all project participants, bound by common interests and reduced grounds for dispute.

The contract drives appropriate behaviours in the alliance members through:

An emphasis on outcomes. 

The alliance contract form is effectively NEC option E, overlaid with a performance regime which consists of targets for meeting alliance objectives set out in a performance table.

- at dates stated in the performance table, the alliance manager assesses the alliance's performance. If actual performance exceeds the stated target, then the partners are paid a stated amount for that target. If the target is not met, then the partner pays a stated amount;

Question 270

What is a DBFO?

Answer 270

Design build finance operate is a form of public private partnerships. Only pay an operating cost (much higher than DBO O costs)

As this is a very long-term relationship, entered into before any design work is undertaken, it is extremely important that the client defines their requirements very carefully, in particular the quality that is required and how it will be judged.

A great deal of risk is given to the contractor, however the price they offer will reflect this.

Question 271

What is the difference between a procurement method and a contract?

Answer 271

“Procurement Methods describes the procedure under which you buy something and “Contract Types are the different types of contract.

Traditional contract 
    Single-stage design and build 
    Two-stage design and build 
    Management contract 
    PFI

Question 272

What are the typical standard methods of measurement used in construction? Why are they important?

Answer 272

NRM2 - The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) are published by the RICS

Civil Engineering Method of Measurement

They provides a set of detailed measurement rules for the preparation of bills of quantities or schedules of rates for the purpose of obtaining a tender price.

It is important that there is a uniform basis for measuring building works in order to facilitate industry wide consistency and benchmarking, to encourage the adoption of best practice and to help avoid disputes.

Question 273

Define what “margin” is.

Answer 273

The margin is the difference between a product or service’s selling price and the cost of production,

Question 274

How was your project funded?

Answer 274

BBB s106?

SKSCU -

BSCU

Question 275

When does the Contractor pay its Subcontractors?

Answer 275

Unsure

Question 276

Discuss the typical payment cycle between the Client and the Principal Contractor.

Answer 276

(NEC) PM assesses the amount due at each assessment date (PWDD).

PM certifies a payment within one week after assessment date

PM makes payment within three weeks of assessment date (interest accrued if not paid)

Question 277

Discuss the typical payment cycle between the Principal Contractor and Subbie.

Answer 277

Unsure

Question 278

What is an Application for Payment? How does it differ from an Invoice?

Answer 278

Payment Application is the document submitted by the contractor asking for payment against progress in works. Not required under NCE

A list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these; a bill.

Question 279

Discuss the payment mechanisms involved in the payment cycle - as per Construction Act.

Answer 279

The payer issues a payment notice within five days of the due date (even for £0) that states the sum and the basis of calculation

Alternatively, the payee may make an application for payment, which is treated as if it is the payment notice.

The payer must issue a pay less notice if they intend to pay less than the amount set out in the payment notice, setting out the basis for its calculation.

The contract must also provide for a final date for payment in relation to any sum which becomes due. The parties are free to agree how long the period is to be between the date on which a sum becomes due and the final date for payment. The payer must pay the notified sum on or before the final date for payment.

If payment is not made on or before the final date for payment the payee can give notice under Section 112 of the Act to suspend performance of the contract.

Question 280

Discuss Waste Codes.

Answer 280

A standard coding system classifies and describes the type of waste. These are called EWC Codes (European Waste Codes) as specified in the List Of Waste Regulations.

Wastes arising from different processes and industries.

Question 281

Why is SHEQ important?

Answer 281

Improvement in quality, lower impact on the environment, lower levels of waste, improved customer satisfaction, higher employee morale, fewer accidents (and lower costs associated with these), and ongoing legal compliance with statutory requirements.

Question 282

What is ISO 45001

Answer 282

Standard for management systems of occupational health and safety (OH&S) Replaced 18001

Question 283

What is the ISO 25000 series?

Answer 283

Framework for the evaluation of software product quality

Question 284

What is the minimum width of a working platform?

Answer 284

Minimum of 600 mm

If storing materials 800mm

If supporting a higher platform 1050mm

Question 285

What are the applicable laws engineers have to follow?

Answer 285

Engineering practice is not specifically regulated in the UK – No license to work as a Professional Engineer

Registration schemes e.g. CENG

Question 286

Discuss the two types of contracts available.

Answer 286

Fixed price contracts and cost-reimbursement contracts.

Question 287

Why is it important to consider Overhead Costs?

Answer 287

Head office costs might include; property costs, finance charges on loans, insurances, staff, taxes, external advisors, marketing and tendering activities and so on. Most contracting organisations will calculate a percentage against project costs to be set against each project somewhere between 2.5% and 5% to cover head office services.

Site overheads such as site accommodation, insurance, and so on, are generally accounted for separately and in contractual terms are included in the preliminaries element of the contract.

Question 288

Why is it important to select the most appropriate procurement method and contract selection for a particular project?

Answer 288

Unsure

Question 289

What is the new name for the ICE Conditions of Contract.

Answer 289

Infrastructure Conditions of Contract

Question 290

Define Bill of Quantities.

Answer 290

A BOQ is an itemized list of materials, parts, and labor (and their costs).

The bill of quantities provides project specific measured quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in the tender documentation.

The bill of quantities is issued to tenderers for them to prepare a price for carrying out the works. The bill of quantities assists tenderers in the calculation of construction costs for their tender, and, as it means all tendering contractors will be pricing the same quantities (rather than taking off quantities from the drawings and specifications themselves)

The contractor tenders against the bill of quantities, stating their price for each item. This priced bill of quantities constitutes the tenderer’s offer.

Possible to compare both the overall price and individual items directly with other tenderers’ offers, allowing a detailed assessment of which aspects of a tender may offer good or poor value.

Question 291

Define the differences between each of the payment mechanisms within the NEC3 ECC and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Answer 291

PWDD AB/CD, SCC AB/CD

Question 292

What is the value of your work? What is your charge out rate? What is your cost? How are charge-out rates calculated?

Answer 292

£44 rate
£18 per hour costs -£113 per day

True cost is 1.2-1.4 of base salary, up to 2.5x when considering all costs (equipment, rent, non billables)

Chargeout = annual cost of their labour (including salary, benefits and taxes), plus overhead costs and a profit allowance / yearly hours

Question 293

Why is it important to consider borehole logs? What important factors must we consider if we contemplate referring to them?

Answer 293

Soil conditions
Engineering properties – physical and chemical 
Presence of water and monitoring its availability 
Hazards – finding presence or alleviation
Contamination – natural & man-made 
Geology, stratigraphy
Geothermal potential 

Boreholes only show the conditions in that spot, extrapolation required to determine areas between.

Question 294

Discuss the parameters of cohesive soils.

Answer 294

Cohesive soils (e.g. silts and clays)

Cohesive soils have shear strength. It is possible to make a vertical cut in silts and clays and it remain standing, unsupported, for some time.  Cohesion results from the mutual attraction, which exist between fine particles and tends to hold them together in a solid mass without the application of external forces.
Clay consist of very fine microscopic particles which hold water to increase their volume, and release moisture to decrease their volume.
Special precaution needs to be taken in the design of footings to resist or avoid the forces caused by shrinking and swelling.

Question 295

Discuss the parameters of granular soils.

Answer 295

Granular soils (non-cohesive soils) e.g. sand
    Sand and gravel have no shear strength. An apparent cohesion in sand can be noticed when water is present. Sand grains stick together due to negative pore pressure 

Sand stands in slopes when wet but will not stand when dry or saturated.
Strength, bearing capacity and slope stability all derived from internal friction (Phi). for granular soils (sand & gravel) range from 30° to 45°. increases due to grading, packing density and grain angularity.

Coarser grained soils are more permeable to water and, unless saturated, may have very little water in their voids.

If well consolidated and confined, they form a foundation that is almost as stable as rock.

If loosely consolidated or with high percentage of organic matter, the site must be classified as a problem site.

Question 296

Discuss the differences between cohesive and granular soils and what impact would that have on engineered solutions?

Answer 296

Bearing capacity and failure type is impacted by soil type.

Will effect how piles behave

Question 297

Discuss how load transfers through a particular structure.

Answer 297

https://www.quora.com/How-do-load-transfers-in-building

Question 298

What is the Factor of Safety on a particular structure?

Answer 298

Depends on codes, applicable actions etc. expand

Question 299

Discuss lateral earth pressures acting on a retaining wall (or equivalent).

Answer 299

In TW notes

Question 300

What soil investigation tests would you conduct for the following ground types? Granular and Cohesive?

Answer 300

SPT with a

Question 301

What is a SPT value? What does it allow us to investigate?

Answer 301

The standard penetration test (SPT) is an in-situ dynamic penetration test designed to provide information on the geotechnical engineering properties of soil.

Most common test

Used to determine the relative density, bearing capacity, and settlement of granular soil.

SPlit spoon sampler is driven 150mm by repeatedly dropping a 63.5kg weight a fixed height. Then driven another 150mm, and one more 150mm.

Number of blows to drive the last 300mm is your N value

In granular soil the split-barrel is replaced by a solid 60 degree cone.

Simple, provides representative sample,

Question 302

How are wind loads estimated?

Answer 302

Wind velocity - based on location taken from national annex
Terrain category - rural to urban
Height from ground of structure

Directional and Seasonal Factors (1.0)

Question 303

Discuss the importance of workability in concrete. What factors should be considered prior to pouring and curing concrete during design and concrete call off?

Answer 303

Workability of concrete is the property of freshly mixed concrete which determines the ease and homogeneity with which it can be mixed, placed, consolidated and finished

An increase in water-cement ratio increases the workability of concrete, amount of cement paste and aggregate grading.

A highly workable concrete is very easy to mix, transport, place and compact in structures. Such concrete is used where effective compaction of concrete is not possible or in mass concrete. High chances of segregation of aggregates and loss of homogeneity in this case. (self compacting useful when poker is not appropriate, (rebar/pile))

Higher water content can lead to lower strengths

Question 304

Why are slump tests important?

Answer 304

The concrete slump test measures the consistency of fresh concrete before it sets. It is performed to check the workability of freshly made concrete, and therefore the ease with which concrete flows.

True slump, shear slump or collapse slump (throw out shear and collapse, mix may be too fluid, use flow test)

Question 305

Discuss the numerous types of soil testing equipment available and for what soils would they be used for. What soil parameters would be obtained and how will it allow engineers to benefit from the results (in design or construction)?

Answer 305

Future

Question 306

Draw a bending moment diagram for a sheetpile wall (or shoring). Discuss.

Answer 306

Future

Question 307

Draw the bending moment diagram for a portal frame structure. Discuss (all structures you discuss TW)

Answer 307

Future

Question 308

Discuss the impact of a Designer’s design in relation to the project lifecycle.

Answer 308

Most impact at early stages of project, can align vision early and cause most change

Question 309

How does a designer show the risks in a design to its Contractor?

Answer 309

Designers risk register, highlighted on drawings.

Question 310

What is the impact to society from your project?

Answer 310

Social benefits, benefits to london, capacity of transport infrastructure directly benefits all, especially lower income.

Question 311

Is the ICE Code of Conduct relevant today?

What would you change/add to the ICE Code of Conduct to make it relevant today?

Answer 311

Yes

Add more about…

Question 312

What have you done for the ICE?

Answer 312

STEM,…

Question 313

What is the UK National Government policy on infrastructure?

Answer 313

National Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016 to 2021 TO be added too

National Infrastructure Pipeline,

Question 314

What is the UK National Government policy on housing?

Answer 314

Progress by the end of 2020-21…
Doubling the housing budget from 2018-19

Release of enough public sector land to support building of at least 160,000 homes

A Housing and Planning Bill to get the nation building homes faster

Infrastructure delivered to unlock major housing sites

£100m Highways England roads fund to support new housing sites

160-170k houses built per year

target of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.

Question 315

What was the Shaw Report findings?

Answer 315

Report on the future of Network rail, rejected privitisation

Place the needs of passengers and freight shippers at the heart of rail infrastructure management

Focus on the customer through deeper route devolution, supported by independent regulation

Create a route for the North

Clarify the government’s role in the railway and Network Rail

Question 316

What is the UK Energy Generation capacity and build up?

Answer 316

Generation capacity 350 TWh

Natural gas 40%
Wind and Solar 21%
Nuclear 20% 
Coal 5%
Hydro 1.5%
Other renewables 10.5% biomass

UK imports 10% of its energy

Question 317

How is UK Electricity distributed?

Answer 317

The National Grid is the high-voltage electric power transmission network serving Great Britain, connecting power stations and major substations.

Question 318

Who regulates the water industry? What is the current AMP period?

Answer 318

Ofwat determines the price limits that water companies can change the prices charged to customers over the five year AMP (Asset Management Plan) period.

AMP7, 2020 - 2025

Question 319

Who regulates the control of gas and electricity? What is the current RIIO period?

Answer 319

RIIO (Revenue=Incentives+Innovation+Outputs) is Ofgem’s performance-based framework to set the price controls.

Price controls for gas and electricity transmission (RIIO-T1) and gas distribution (RIIO-GD1) run from 2013-2021, and for electricity distribution (RIIO-ED1) from 2015-2023.

Question 320

Have you volunteered and promoted the ICE, Engineering and Construction Sectors at STEM events and/or schools?

Answer 320

Yes, 5 over four years

Question 321

Who was the first ICE President and when?

Answer 321

Thomas Telford in 1820, ICE founded 1818.

Question 322

How many members are there in the ICE?

Answer 322

93,000 1/4 located abroad (150 countries)

Question 323

What was your last ICE Event that you attended?

Answer 323

Online webinars etc.

Question 324

Are you aware of the latest Government Budget? What impact will the latest Budget have on the engineering and construction industry?

Answer 324

tbc

Question 325

Has globalisation contributed to the sharing of knowledge and skills in the Construction and Engineering industry?

Answer 325

Online knowledge sharing, ICE learning portal, recorded lectures, professional forums completed online, greater visibility of projects and contract usage, greater movement of professional resource.

Question 326

What are the current and future effects of COVID-19 on the UK construction sector?

Answer 326

Sites closed, delayed, new working arrangements, financial uncertainty,

Question 327

What are some of the challenges facing the UK construction Industry

Answer 327

Labour shortages - apprenticeships, training schemes

Brexit - labour, material, EIB (investment), euro investment fund

Climate change/env -

Technology - Inability to adapt, invest, R&D

Question 328

What is the state of nuclear power in the UK?

Answer 328

20% of energy generation capacity, should rise to 1/3 by 2035

The UK has 15 operational nuclear reactors at seven sites

Government has given permission for eight more but difficult to find developers.

Question 329

What are the pros and cons of D+B

Answer 329

+
Single point of responsibility for design and construction
Earlier commencement on site
Early price certainty
Benefit of contractor’s experience harnessed during design

-
Client has prepare a sufficiently comprehensive brief to ensure contractor cant exploit specs by using lowest grade compliant materials
Harder to compare tenders and determine if they offer value for money
Client has to commit to a concept design early
The employer may pay more if they ask the contractor to take on an unreasonably high level of risk due to a lack of design clarity at the point of tendering

Ease of fabrication may be prioritised above aesthetic quality

Question 330

What is a management contract?

Answer 330

Option F is a cost reimbursable management contract in which the works are constructed by a number of different works contractors who are contracted to a management contractor.

The management contractor is responsible for the work and is paid a fee (the cost that it pays the works contractors plus an additional fee), while the financial risk is largely taken by the client.

Question 331

Contract between PC and subbie?

Answer 331

NEC3: Engineering and Construction Subcontract ??

Question 332

Can acceptance of a programme change the completion date?

Answer 332

No, the completion date is contractually defined and can not be changed by acceptance of a programme.

However this could change the “planned completion” date.

Acceleration and certain types of compensation events could change completion date

Question 333

What are the five main parts of CDM?

Answer 333

Part 1 deals with the application of CDM 2015 and definitions
Part 2 covers the duties of clients for all construction projects. These duties apply in full for commercial clients. However, the duties for domestic clients normally pass to other duty holders
Part 3 covers the health and safety duties and roles of other duty holders, including:
Designers
Principal designers
Principal contractors
Contractors
Part 4 contains general requirements for all construction sites
Part 5 Other requirements

Question 334

What is remeasurement?

Answer 334

Calculation of the actual quantities of work ordered on the contractors in order to certify the payment due to a contractor.

Question 335

What are the main material properties

Answer 335

Mechanical, dimensional, physical, chemical?

Question 336

What are the mechanical properties of a material?

Answer 336

Strength, Elasticity, Ductility, Malleability, Plasticity, Brittleness, Toughness, and Hardness

Question 337

How can you deal with water ingress?

Answer 337

Dewater the ground
Exclude the water
Allow it to flow in under control

Water ingress can wash out the fines in the soil causing changes to the characteristics.

Question 338

What is the effect of the cement/water ratio on the final strengths of concrete?

Answer 338

Too much water and not enough cement means concrete will be weaker and less durable.

Question 339

What are the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

Answer 339

Implemented 2014 EU Public Procurement Directives

Transparency - OJEU (Increases price competition through visibility)

Thresholds - £120k plus

Mandatory Exclusion for

Question 340

How would you complete a slump test?

Answer 340

1. Clean damp cone
2. concrete after 0.2m2 has been poured
3. fill 1/3, 25 rods, fill 2/3, 25 rods, fill full rod 25, scrape
4. Lift cone straight up, use cone and rod to measure height of slump.
5. True/shear/collapse
6. Take several readings and get the average to the top
7. Check against ITP If two failures then reject load

Question 341

What is a MEAT analysis?

Answer 341

MEAT is a method of assessment that can be used as the selection procedure, allowing the contracting party to award the contract based on aspects of the tender submission other than just price.

The ‘alternative’ criteria which can be used in a MEAT assessment include:

Quality.
Price or cost using a cost-effectiveness approach.
Technical merit.
Aesthetic and functional characteristics.
Accessibility.

Each of the criteria used is given a relative weighting,

Question 342

What is a joint venture?

Answer 342

A joint venture (JV) is a commercial alliance between two or more separate entities that enables them to share risk and reward. A new business is created to which each party contributes resources such as land, capital, intellectual property, skills, credentials or equipment.

Joint ventures are commonly used to:

Enable smaller companies to deliver large projects by combining their expertise and resources.
Enable a larger company to acquire new resources or expertise from a smaller company.
Enable a smaller company to benefit from the credibility and financial stability of a larger company.
Gain local knowledge in overseas markets.
To share risks and costs.

Question 343

What is in the contractors works information?

Answer 343

Contractor’s works information is prepared in relation to those parts of the works the contractor is required to design.

Question 344

Bearing capacity of soil

Answer 344

https://www.boeingconsult.com/tafe/bcg5005/SoilBearingCapacity.html

Question 345

What is the difference between long payment and late payment?

Answer 345

Long payment terms refer to the time contractually agreed between parties when invoices will be settled for goods and services provided.

Businesses can plan to cover these cash flow gaps and manage their working capital using either cash reserves or finance tools like invoice finance.

Late payment is the additional time taken to settle invoices, outside of those contractually agreed at the point of purchase.

This is an unknown and unexpected element which can significantly impact cash flow, business plans and even in some cases paying staff or creditors.

Question 346

What is the prompt payment code?

Answer 346

Voluntary scheme to pay 95% within 60 days and adopt 30 days as norm, 10 days for SME’s (manifesto)

• Pay suppliers on time - within original terms, no changes
• Give clear guidance to suppliers - guidance on payment process, complaints and why invoice wont be paid
• Encourage best practice - encourage supplier to adopt same terms for their supply chain

Question 347

What is the are the HSE RAG lists?

Answer 347

HSE published the Red/amber/green lists to show construction processes to be avoided/encourage

Red - Dust creating activities, cropping of piles using hand breakers, Designing roof mounted services requiring access (for maintenance, etc.), without provision for safe access

Amber - speccing anything over 20kg that will require manual handling, manholes in circulation areas, spec of heavy lintels, spec of heavy glass, on site welding

Green - Adequate vehicle access (1 way), precast fixings, adequate maintenance space, off site fab, early install of permanent access

Question 348

What are some issues with the construction industry?

Answer 348

• Industry is cost focused rather than value focused
• High percentage of self employed (40% compared to 15% in wider workforce)
• Tier 1 contractors subcontract 90-100% of work
• Vertical integration of supply chains through single point ownership or stronger cross corporate alliances resisted due to industries unwillingness to hold a large workforce or fixed cost investments, desire to be flexible
• Low operating margins across industry
• Client amendments to requirements from volatile end user demands or mistakes in early project planning
• CITB/apprenticeship levys are seen as costs not investments

Question 349

What is the adjudication process in the NEC contract?

Answer 349

In NEC contracts you must adjudicate before going on to litigate or arbitrate. Given within 28 days of being refferred

The Construction Act merely allows either party to trigger an adjudication at any time if he wishes. He can bypass adjudication and go straight to litigation or arbitration if arbitration is the chosen tribunal. Not so in NEC contracts. Adjudication is a condition precedent.

The award is binding (i.e. the parties must comply with it) but not final (i.e. the partiescan open the dispute up in one of the more formal dispute resolution processes – arbitration or litigation.

Question 350

What is a Monte Carlo Simulation?

Answer 350

Statistical method for modelling risk or uncertainty to allow for for better decision making under uncertainty.

Monte Carlo simulation performs risk analysis by building models of possible results by substituting a range of values—a probability distribution—for any factor that has inherent uncertainty. It then calculates results over and over, each time using a different set of random values from the probability functions. Depending upon the number of uncertainties and the ranges specified for them, a Monte Carlo simulation could involve thousands or tens of thousands of recalculations before it is complete.

Monte Carlo simulation produces distributions of possible outcome values.

Question 351

What is Heat of hydration?

Answer 351

The chemical reaction between cement and water is exothermic and the heat released can in certain circumstances generate significant temperature rise. The early expansion due to this temperature rise does not induce stresses because the concrete which is still weak. However, as the hardened concrete cools it contracts.This is the movement that induces cracking stresses.

Question 352

What is an EC National Annex?

Answer 352

An annex to a eurocode that has country specific information

They provide instructions as to the design method to use​

They specify the correct value for a variable or constant in accordance with UK preference​

They state whether an informative annex may be used (supplementary/ancillary information)

Question 353

What is the difference between a Principle and an application rule in EC?

Answer 353

Principles are denoted by the letter ‘P’ after a clause number, whereas Application Rules do not contain a letter by the clause number. ​

Principles must be followed to achieve legal compliance. Application Rules are considered ‘somewhat’ optional in lieu of alternatives; however, in most cases they are the default choice as they are designed to meet the mandatory Principles.​

Question 354

What is permissible stress design?

Answer 354

Sometimes referred to as modular ratio or elastic design method.

Stresses in the structure at working loads are not permitted to exceed a certain proportion of the yield stress i.e. they are limited to the elastic range.

Major drawbacks to this approach:

The design process was overcomplicated and produced conservative designs.

Linear stress and strain proportionality became unjustifiable – FOS were impossible.

Question 355

What is SLS? What do you need to consider?

Answer 355

Serviceability limit states concern the functioning of the structure under normal use, including the comfort of the users and its general appearance.

Irreversible: consequences remain after removal of the actions e.g. permanent deflection
Reversible: no consequences remain after the exceeding actions are removed e.g. elastic

• Deflections that affect the structural appearance
• Vibration response characteristics that affect the comfort of end users e.g. Millennium Bridge sway due to pedestrian footfall.
• Damage that may affect the long term durability of the structure e.g. cracking leading to the ingress of road salts on bridges.

SLS amounts are not defined in EC, National annex

Question 356

What is ULS? What do you need to consider?

Answer 356

Ultimate limit states are those that relate to the failure of a structural member or a whole structure.

You need to consider at ULS:

• Loss of equilibrium of the structure or a structural member.
• Failure of the structure or a structural member caused by:
  
  • Excessive deformation resulting in a mechanism
  • Material rupture
  • Loss of local or global stability
  • Fatigue and fracture effects
• Failure of the supports or foundations, including excessive deformation of the supporting strata.

Question 357

What is a characteristic value of a material or load?

Answer 357

The strength on which a design is based, below which experimental results are unlikely to fail – termed ‘characteristic strength’.

For a normal distribution of sample results, the characteristic material strength represents a value at which only 5% or less will fail i.e. 90% central confidence

Question 358

What are the four types of actions considered in EC?

Answer 358

Persistent – the normal use of the structure

Transient – temporary situations e.g. construction or execution

Accidental – exceptional events e.g. fire, impact or explosion

Seismic – spectral, earthquake events that may act on a structure

Question 359

What do partial factors account for?

Answer 359

Differences between specified strength and actual strength

Inaccuracies in the assessment of the resistance of sections

The importance of the limit state being considered

Question 360

What are the four section types in EC?

Answer 360

Class 1: Plastic
Plastic hinge can be developed with full rotation capacity.
All members of this type in plastic theory/analysis.
Class 2: Compact
Full plastic moment can be developed.
Local buckling will prevent sufficient rotation ability for plastic design.
Class 3: Semi-compact
Cross sections can develop their elastic moment capacity.
Local buckling may prevent full plastic behaviour.
Class 4: Slender
Generally applicable to slender sections in compression states.
Local buckling may prevent full elastic moment capacity.

Question 361

What is vertical integration of a supply chain?

Answer 361

Vertical integration is an arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is owned by that company.

Question 362

What is an exposure class?

Answer 362

Exposure classes are defined by EC and represent the aggressiveness of the context that concrete or steel finds itself in.

• XO –no risk of corrosion or attack
• XC – risk of carbonation induced corrosion
• XD – risk of chloride-induced corrosion (other than sea water)• XS – risk of chloride induced corrosion (sea water)
• XF –risk of freeze thaw attack
• XA – chemical attac

Question 363

What are the infrastructure Carbon Review Principles?

Answer 363

Build Nothing,

Build Less,

Build Clever,

Build Efficiency

Question 364

What is a hybrid bill?

Answer 364

CR1

Question 365

What are the advantages of BIM?

Answer 365

• The government sees the following advantages to BIM:
a. Boosting delivery and operational efficiency
b. Reducing costs throughout the project lifecycle (CAPEX & OPEX)
c. Improving collaboration
• Disadvantages:
a. Document control is extremely important – read write access has to be carefully managed
b. The client sometimes does not understand the meaning of BIM – a 3D model in bright colours is not BIM
c. The construction industry has been slow in some areas to adopt BIM technology

Question 366

What concepts did ECC pioneer?

Answer 366

ECC pioneered a variety of concepts e.g.
- adjudication (now statutory in all construction contracts)
- early warning
- quotations for changed or extra work
- no nomination of sub-contractors
- a definitive method of assessing exceptionally adverse weather conditions
- regular re-programming
Some of these concepts have now been adopted by traditional standard forms.

Question 367

Who bears weather risk under NEC

Answer 367

Normal weather is a contractors risk, exceptional bad weather is a shared risk.

NEC uses weather measurements with records to statistically define what is exceptional.

Question 368

How is NEC Flexible?

Answer 368

• it is for building, civil engineering, electrical and mechanical work
• Variety of option clauses
• All procurement options are included such as traditional sequential, management and so on.
• Contractor design if required
• international application
• It offers alternative ways of doing things

Question 369

How does NEC provide a stimulus to good management?

Answer 369

• Open book accounting
• EWN process, no surprises
• Programme, regular reprogramming
• CE

Question 370

Give four examples of Z clauses.

Answer 370

Single point of design responsibility

The Contractor is responsible for the design and specification of the works and for the accuracy of the Employer’s Design Information except as stated in clause X21.3 below.

The Employer is not responsible for any error, inaccuracy or omission of any kind in the Employer’s Design Information as originally included in the contract and is not deemed to have given any representation of accuracy or completeness of any data or information, except as stated below.

Key Person Succession Plan - Replacement and appointment of key people

Included a clause allowing the PM to instruct acceleration

Critical defects - Allows PM to instruct a third party to rectify a critical defect at the contractors expense

Revised programme - if a revised programme is not submitted within timeframes then a 1/4 of PWDD is retained

Increases payment dates to 28 days from 14

Question 371

How do TfL amend NEC contracts? For what purpose? What risks does this incur?

Answer 371

Shift risk to contractor, non standard therefore ambiguous

Question 372

What is prevention under the NEC contract?

Answer 372

An event that stops the contractor from completing the works or hitting a key date.

An event that at contract award a competent contractor would have deemed sufficiently unlikely so as to be unreasonable to have allowed for.

e.g. Covid 19

Question 373

What are the employers risks?

Answer 373

Risks stated in contract data, risk of damages to assets before they are handed over to contractor/after they have been accepted by contractor, force majeure

Fault of employers design,

Everything else sits with the contractor

Question 374

What types of insurance might be taken out under NEC?

Answer 374

Construction all risks insurance
Non Negligence Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Employers liability insurance - injury to contractors employees
Contractors Equipment insurance
Professional indemnity

Question 375

Under what situations might a contract be terminated?

Answer 375

Health and safety breach
Non Payment,
Failure to provide a service
Party is bankrupt

Question 376

What are some of TfLs responsible procurement themes?

Answer 376

Equality and Supplier Diversity - Equality and inclusion policy/training

Fair employment - London living wage for supply chain

Ethical sourcing

HGV Direct Vision Standard

Question 377

What is a Best Value authority?

Answer 377

An authority designated under the Local Government Act 1999 to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which it exercise its functions, having regard to a combination of factors, including economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

The Contractor assists the Employer (and, where appropriate, TfL) to discharge this duty and agrees to negotiate in good faith any changes to this contract in order for the Employer (and, where appropriate, TfL) to achieve best value.

Question 378

What are the four tiers of contract dispute resolution?

Answer 378

Mediation,

Adjudication - No right of appeal (pay now, argue later, keep cash flow moving) but can be taken to arb. Cant award costs only their own fees. 28 Days NEC4 allows for referral to a senior executive

Arbitration - Longer timescales, normally expert or experts in the field. Decision ins binding but can be appealed

Litigation - Open to public/press

Question 379

What were the five recommendations from the ICE to the government regarding the budget 2020 and its focus on infrastructure?

Answer 379

Deliver a National Infrastructure Strategy (NIC NIA led) to address, in a sustainable, holistic way, the impacts of a population growing to 75 million in the coming decades

Build up regional strategic planning (regional infrastructure strategies) capability to ensure no part of the UK is held back due to lack of infrastructure investment. Devolve powers, TfSE, TFN

Take tangible steps to target low productivity in infrastructure delivery

Support the evolution of funding models so that the future infrastructure system pays for itself

Create a UK financial institution to replace access to the European Investment Bank (EIB)

Question 380

What are aquifers and aquitards?

Answer 380

Aquifers are typically saturated regions of the subsurface that produce an economically feasible quantity of water to a well or spring

An aquitard is a zone within the Earth that restricts the flow of groundwater from one aquifer to another. (Clay)

Question 381

List four pieces of environmental legislation

Answer 381

Control of Pollution Act 1974
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Environment Act 1994
Climate Change Act 2008

Question 382

What are statutes? What takes precedence between a statute and common law?

Answer 382

Statutes are laws made by government (acts, regs). Statute law takes precedence over common law.

Question 383

What else does ROGS require?

Answer 383

Safety Management System,

Safety Verification (management of change)

Risk Assessments,

Cooperation (with others under ROGS)

Annual Safety Reports

Safety Critical work procedures

Question 384

What did the CLC publish in June 2020

Answer 384

Roadmap to Recovery to drive the recovery of construction after the Covid-19 crisis.

These strategic priorities include:

Increasing prosperity across the UK
Decarbonisation
Modernisation through digital and manufacturing technologies
Delivering better, safer buildings.

There are 3 phases to the Roadmap to Recovery, to be delivered over two years:

Restart: increase output, maximise employment and minimise disruption (0-3 months)
Reset: drive demand, increase productivity, strengthen capability in the supply chain (3-12 months)
Reinvent: transform the industry, deliver better value, collaboration and partnership (12-24 months)

Question 385

What is the Construction Leadership Council?

Answer 385

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) was established in 2013 to oversee implementation of Construction 2025: industrial strategy for construction. It is an industry / government council jointly chaired by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and an industry representative.

 A 33% reduction in both the initial cost of construction and the whole life cost of assets.
A 50% reduction in the overall time from inception to completion for new build and refurbished assets.
A 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment.
A 50% reduction in the trade gap between total exports and total imports for construction products and materials. 

 Delivering better, more certain outcomes through digital, BIM-enabled working.
Improving productivity, quality and safety through offsite manufacturing.
Whole-life performance through the use of smart technologies.

Question 386

What is working capital management?

Answer 386

Working capital management is a business strategy designed to ensure that a company operates efficiently by monitoring and using its current assets and liabilities to the best effect.

Question 387

What is the Considerate Constructors Scheme?

Answer 387

Construction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the Scheme and agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

Care about Appearance
Respect the Community
Protect the Environment
Secure everyone’s Safety
Value their Workforce

Question 388

What is pre and post tensioning?

Answer 388

Both are forms of prestressing, Pre T is stressing the reinforcement tendons before the concrete is cast, post is after.

The aim in the use of prestressed concrete is to increase the tensile strength of concrete by introducing an internal compressive stress, counteracting in part the tensile stresses caused by these loads on the structural element.

Question 389

What is the Paris agreement?

Answer 389

The Paris Agreement’s (2016) long-term temperature goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels; and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, recognizing that this would substantially reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

Question 390

What are three types of change?

Answer 390

Technical, Operational or Organisational change

Question 391

What is Constructing Excellence?

Answer 391

Constructing Excellence (CE) describes itself as ‘…the single organisation charged with driving the change agenda in construction. We exist to improve industry performance in order to produce a better built environment. We are a cross-sector, cross-supply chain, member led organisation operating for the good of industry and its stakeholders.’

• Lobbying to try to influence change.
• Publishing construction industry Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) each year using performance data
• Benchmarking and demonstration projects.

Question 392

What is a regulated asset base funding model?

Answer 392

A RAB model is used to incentivise private investment into public projects by providing a secure payback and return on investment for developers.

IT allows revenue to be unlocked during construction rather than at end (useful for nuclear with its large upfront spend profile)

Within this mechanism, energy companies manage the infrastructure project, taking ownership of the assets and operating costs.

In return, they will be able to raise revenue, often through customer bills, and can also be offered government subsidies.

This guarantees a longer rate of return, which reduces the risk on investment for capital intensive projects — such as the construction of power plants.

Question 393

What is Project 13?

Answer 393

Project 13 is a new approach to delivering high performing infrastructure, focused on moving from transactions to enterprises.

5 Pillars, 13 principles that sit under these pillars

3 Levels of enterprise maturity (maturity matrix)

Question 394

What is a should cost model?

Answer 394

A ‘Should Cost Model’ is a calculation of the total estimated cost of delivering a service.

Should cost modeling is the process of determining what a product should cost based upon its component raw material costs, manufacturing costs, production overheads, and reasonable profit margins.

Question 395

What is value for money?

Answer 395

Value for money is defined as securing the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the period of use of the goods/services bought. It is not about minimising up front costs.

Question 396

Define the I and O of P13

Answer 396

Integration - The Integrator brings together capabilities that deliver effective solutions through production systems

Organisation - The integrated Enterprise is aligned with the outcomes to be delivered
Supplier capability is engaged early in developing solutions

Question 397

Define the D of P13

Answer 397

Digital Transformation - The Enterprise digital transformation strategy enables an integrated digital approach to asset management and delivery.
The Enterprise effectively integrates engineering and digital technology to deliver intelligent solutions
Data and information are recognised and treated as digital assets that enable customer outcomes

Question 398

Define the C and G of P13

Answer 398

Capable Owner - Owner develops Enterprises built on long term business to business (b2b)relationships.
The Enterprise is set up to deliver:
- Customer outcomes
-Long term asset performance

Governance - Value is defined at outcome level (through baselines, benchmarks or affordability)
The Enterprise is rewarded for outcome performance
Risk allocation is aligned with capability and where possible jointly owned

Question 399

What are two external factors that describe why estimates and outturn costs do not align.

Answer 399

Political

• Need for support/planning permission
• Changing government
• Policy priorities

Economic

• Availability of finance and labour
• Increasing costs due to inflation.