(SEM 1/2) Construction Technology 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is Earth constantly in?

A

A state of constant change.

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2
Q

What is the Cycle of Geology?

A

The Cycle of Geology encompasses all the major processes that must be cyclic, or they would grind to a halt.

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3
Q

What part does Land have in the Cycle of Geology?

A

Land encompasses the erosion and destruction of rock.

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4
Q

What part does Sea have in the Cycle of Geology?

A

Sea encompasses desposition of the earth into forming new sediments.

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5
Q

What part does Underground have in the Cycle of Geology?

A

Underground encompasses how rocks are created and deformed.

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6
Q

What two things are vital to the Cycle of Geology?

A

Earth Movements and Plate Tectonics.

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7
Q

What are the three layers of the Earth’s surface?

A
  • Outer crust, < 100 km thick, various solid silicate rocks;
  • Mantle, 2900 km thick, hot plastic iron silicates;
  • Core, 3500 km radius, largely of molten iron.
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8
Q

What are the 4 Geological Structures?

A

Folds and faults, Synclines, Anticlines, Unconformities.

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9
Q

What are “Folds and faults” in relation to Geological Structures?

A

“Folds and faults” are when rocks are subjected to pressure they
can either deform (fold) or fracture (fault).

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10
Q

What are “Synclines” in relation to Geological Structures?

A

“Synclines” are folds where the youngest beds
are preserved in the centre (‘core’) of the fold.

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11
Q

What are “Anticlines” in relation to Geological Structures?

A

“Anticlines” are folds in which the oldest beds are preserved in the core of the fold.

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12
Q

What are “Unconformities” in relation to Geological Structures?

A

“Unconformities” are a major gap in the geological sequence where there are big differences in the beds below and above the break in sedimentation.

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13
Q

What is the superposition principle?

A

Sediments that cannot be deposited below previous sediment.

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14
Q

What does the latin term “Terra Firma” mean in relation to ground engineering?

A

“Terra Firma” means “unstable ground” in latin.

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15
Q

What are the 5 significant aspects of the Earth in Engineering?

A
  1. Civil Engineering works that are carries out in the ground.
  2. Unstable Ground that may lead to unstable foundations.
  3. Site Investigation to determine ground conditions.
  4. Unforseen ground conditions not picked up in a site investigation.
  5. Civil engineering design that can accommodate any understood ground condition.
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16
Q

What are the 3 main broad rock groups?

A

Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary.

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17
Q

What is the basic definition summary of a “Rock”?

A

Rocks are mixtures of materials with varying properties.

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18
Q

What are “Igneous Rocks”?

A

Igneous rocks are crystallized from molten magma underground as lava flows.

They are a mosaic of interlocking crystals.

It is Massive (structureless).

It has uniform and high strength.

It is commonly made of granite and basalt.

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19
Q

What are “Sedimentary Rocks”?

A

Sedimentary rocks are erosional debris on the Earth’s surface.

It accumulates in deposition basins such as the Sea.

The strucutre is either: Layered, bedded or bedding planes.

It has variable low and weak in keeping planar weaknesses in check such as cohesion.

It is made primarily of sandstone, limestone and clay.

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20
Q

What are “Metamorphic Rocks”?

A

These are rocks altered by heart/pressure.

They are mostly deep in mountain chains.

It is a mosaic of interlocking crystals.

It is made of schist and slate.

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21
Q

What are Minerals?

A

Minerals are compounds of elements, fixed properties. Most are silicates.

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22
Q

In regards to “Igneous Rocks” what distance is magma usually created?

A

0-100 km within the Earth’s crust.

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23
Q

What is the common temperature band where compositions of rock melt?

A

800-1200 degrees.

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24
Q

What temperatures and pressures are Metamorphic rocks created at?

A

High temperatures up to 600 degrees and high pressures around 500 MPa at a 20 KM depth.

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25
Q

What state does metamorphism take place in?

A

Metamorphism takes place in a solid state.

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26
Q

What is “Regional Metamorphism”?

A

The high temperature and pressure that occurs in mountain chains where plate bounderies collide.

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27
Q

What is “Thermal or contact Metamorphism?”

A

Thermal or contact metamorphism is the involvement of high temperatures only.

Occurs around igneous intrusions where the rock has been baked.

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28
Q

What is “Dynamic metamorphism”?

A

Is where there is only high pressure morphing the rock.

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29
Q

What is “Lithification”?

A

Lithification is weak or loose sediment.

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30
Q

What are the three forms of burial for sedimentary rocks?

A

Compaction, cementation and recrystallisation.

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31
Q

What are “Clastic” rocks?

A

Clastic rocks are made of fragments of prexisting rocks and minerals.

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32
Q

What are “Non-Clastic” rocks?

A

Non-clastic sedimentary rocks refer to any sedimentary rock that does not form as a result of deposited rock fragments in a sediment layer.

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33
Q

What are “Biological” rocks?

A

Organic sedimentary rocks, like coal, form from hard, biological materials like plants, shells, and bones that are compressed into rock.

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34
Q

What are the three forms of Clastic rocks?

A
  1. Rudaceous: coarse grained
  2. Arenaceous: medium grained 0.06-2 mm
  3. Argillaceous: fine grained < 0.06 mm
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35
Q

What are the two forms of non-clastic rocks (chemical)?

A
  1. Carbonates, consisting mainly of calcite
  2. Non-carbonates
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36
Q

What rock types are classified under “Clastic rocks”?

A
  1. Conglomerate - rounded fragments < 2 mm
  2. Breccia - angular fragments
  3. Sandstone and allied rocks
  4. Siltstone - quartz particles
  5. Clay and allied rocks
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37
Q

What rock types are classified under “Non-clastic rocks (chemical)”?

A
  1. Limestone and allied rocks.
  2. Flint and chert - nodular or banded silica.
  3. Coal and lignite – peat/plant material.
  4. Salt and gypsum – evaporites.
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38
Q

What are the two geological structures of Sedimentary rocks?

A

Cross-bedding and Ripple marks.

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39
Q

What is “Cross-bedding” as a geological structure of Sedimentary rocks?

A

Cross-bedding is a good indication of a depositional environment, cross sets:

  • dipping consistently in one direction - deposition in a river system.
  • dipping in opposite directions - deposition in a marine environment.
40
Q

What is “Ripple marks” as a geological structure of Sedimentary rocks?

A

Formed in a shallow marine environment and asymettrical ripples indicate fresh flowing water.

41
Q

What are the properties of Aggregates?

A
  • Rock strength is prime requirement - usually needs UCS> 100 MPa or 10% FV> 100 kPa.
  • Main demand is for particle sizes 5-50 mm; screened at quarry and sold as single size.
  • Quality is specified by aggregate tests.
42
Q

What is the “Field rock strength test”?

A

Hit it with a hammer to gain a piece of the rock.

43
Q

What does the “UCS” acronym mean in relation to testing rocks?

A

Unconfined Compressive Strength Test.

(uniaxial compressive strength) UCS.

44
Q

What are the steps taken to evaluate the strength of a rock sample in a “UCS” test?

A
  • Gain an intact sample of rock.
  • Ensure it is a cylinder 50mm diameter.
  • Make it height to diameter ratio = 2:1.
  • Ensure it ends flat & perpendicular to axis.
  • Load repeatedly in a press until stress at failure (load = UCS [MPa]).
  • Ensure the rate is not too fast or too slow.
  • Ensure it is agreed to international standards.
45
Q

How should mineral grains in a rock be arranged and not arranged?

A

Crystalline rocks interlocking - no spaces = STRONGGGGG.

Granular rocks - pore spaces present = WEAKKKKK.

46
Q

What is the “Triaxial test” for rock strength?

A
  • Sample is confined in all
    directions.
  • Simulates in-ground conditions.
  • Load is applied as in UCS
    sample is same as UCS.
47
Q

How do you test the tensile strength of a rock?

A

Form the rock into a “Brazilian disc”.

Then put into a UCS machine and crush to test strength.

48
Q

How are “Slake rocks” tested for degredability and weatherability?

A
  1. samples dried
  2. samples weighed
  3. tumbled in water
  4. dried
  5. tumbled again
  6. weighed to find % remaining
49
Q

Within rock and aggregate testing, what is considered as good practice?

A

All tests should be repeated at least 3 times to:

  • ensure validity of results.
  • show repeatability.
  • deal with natural variations.

Care is needed in preparation of samples in order to ensure the test conducted in accordance with standards.

50
Q

What are the “Planar weaknesses” in rock?

A
  • discontinuities
  • breaks in rock fabric
  • no tensile strength across
  • low shear strength
  • occur in parallel sets
51
Q

What are the three “Discontinuities” in rock?

A

Joints sit at the top, faults sit in the middle and bedding planes sit at the bottom.

52
Q

What are “Trade groups” in geology?

A

Trade groups are a useful classification that group materials by properties and not geological origin.

53
Q

What are some good examples to represent “Trade groups” in Geology?

A

– Basalt and gabbro show good tar bonding to the iron in their minerals.

– Gritstone and granite have very high PSV and their rough surfaces adhere well to their binders.

– Flint has smooth surfaces which can cause poor bonding, may have sharp edges and are more prone to alkali reaction.

54
Q

What are the 4 specifications of Aggregates?

A
  1. Lightweight aggregate made usually of porous synthetics like volcano ash and volcanic pumice.
  2. Concrete aggregate.
  3. Road wearing course.
  4. Railway ballast.
55
Q

What are the common “Natural aggregates” in Geology?

A
  • Fluvial gravels are the most important resource, from floodplains and terraces.
  • Dredged marine gravels and some glacio-fluvial gravels are also used.
  • Glacial till is too poorly sorted.
  • Rounded gravel particles are better for concrete.
56
Q

What are “Problematic soils”?

A

Problematic soils are soils with properties not conducive to simple solutions.

57
Q

What are the six “Problematic soils”?

A

Expansive soil, the swell and shrink of clays.

Collapsible soils, silts.

Dispersive soils, sodic clays that disprese when wet by water.

Weak soils.

Corrosive soils.

Soluble soils.

58
Q

What is “Glacial till”?

A

Glacial till is a micture of soils deposited by a glacier.

59
Q

What does “Heterogenous” mean?

A

Heterogeneous means made up of parts or elements that are different or unlike.

60
Q

What is “Peat”?

A

Peat is an organic material that is amorphous and predominantly consists of plant remains.

61
Q

Why are organic soils considered problematic?

A

Organic soils are problematic because of:

  • very high compressibility (significant secondary consolidation).
  • low shear strength.
  • low bulk density.
  • very high and highly variable permeability and liquid limit.
62
Q

What 3 methods can be used to construct over peat?

A

Avoiding building over peat layers entirely.

Replacement of surface peat layers with granular fill materials.

Stage construction.

ALSO; piles; geotextile and strip drains; deep in situ chemical stabilisation.

63
Q

What are the 5 options to combating constructions on poor ground conditions.

A

Bypass, remove, design, treat the ground to improve its properties and abandon the project.

64
Q

What are the main purposes of ground treatment?

A
  • Improving bearing capacity.
  • Reducing time, reducing potential for liquefaction.
  • Reducting permeability.
  • Removing or excluding water.
  • Internal drainage.
  • Increasing shear strength.
  • Increasing erosion resistance.
65
Q

What is the primary purpose of reducing a soil mass?

A

To improve its stability, increase bearing capacity and reduction settlements/lateral deformation.

66
Q

What is “Mechanical modification” in relation to ground improvement?

A

The aim of mechanical modification is to increase density usually by compaction.

67
Q

What are the two common forms of mechanical modification in ground improvement?

A

Refilling and preloading are the two best forms of ground improvement.

68
Q

What is “Dynamic compaction” in relation to ground improvement?

A

Repeated impacts of heavy weight onto the ground surface which causes shockwaves that eliminates voids in the soil over wide areas.

(Best for eliminating boulders and rock deposits in soil).

69
Q

What is “Vibro compactions” in relation to ground improvement?

A

A heavy duty vibrating poker is inserted to depth where it forces the soil to settle.

Best for loose sandy materials.

70
Q

What are “Vibro stone columns” in ground improvement?

A

Vibro stone columns use a vibrating poker to displace the in situ soil to compact the imported material.

71
Q

What are “Admixtures” in relation to ground improvement?

A

Where the ground is modified and mixed with selected elements such as; cement, lime or tar to improve the stability of the soil within the ground.

72
Q

What is lime stabilisation within construction?

A

Used to improve the soil quality without removing and replacing it at extra cost.

Quicklime absorbs the moisture in the soil allowing for stronger soil reinforcement.

73
Q

What is “Risk”?

A

The chance or probability of danger, loss, injury or other adverse consequences.

74
Q

What two factors make up the concept of a “Risk”?

A
  • Hazard, something with the potential to do harm.
  • Vunerability, the likelihood that a hazard will have unfavourable consequences.
75
Q

Think of ALL factors that make up “Vunerability”.

A
  • Vulnerability = exposure x resistance x adaptive capacity.
  • Exposure = does the hazard intersect?
  • Resistance = if it does, how much does it hurt?
  • Adaptive capacity = if it does, how well can you bounce back?
76
Q

What are the acceptable definitions of risk?

A
  1. Pure risk - things can only go wrong. (e.g. a landslide).
  2. Speculative risk - uncertain beneficial or adverse consequences
    - based on a commercial decision.
77
Q

What are the types of ground hazards?

A
  • Geological hazards e.g. mass movement, subsidence.
  • Geomaterial hazards e.g. reactive materials (swelling clays), liquids, gases.
  • Geotechnical engineering hazards e.g. instability and loss of function.
  • Land use hazards e.g. made ground, contaminated ground,
    abandoned infrastructure.
78
Q

What 5 ways can risks occur in construction?

A
  • Risk to health and safety.
  • Risk to environment.
  • Risk to quality.
  • Risk to programme.
  • Risk to financial viability.
79
Q

What is a “Risk Register” in relation to construction?

A

A risk register is used to identify and manage those risks that are typically taken by a contractor during construction.

80
Q

What are the four main parts of a “Risk register” in construction?

A

– Identification and cataloguing of geotechnical hazards/risks.

– Estimation of the probability that an identified risk will occur.

– Estimation of the consequences and their impact, should it occur.

– Ranking of risks, and categorisation in terms of actions required.

81
Q

What are the 4 possible responses to risk?

A
  • Avoid the risk – alter design, for example by changing location, or form of construction.
  • Prevent the risk – design to deal with risk, for example by making foundations larger.
  • Mitigate the risk – reduce impact, for example by making superstructure more flexible.
  • Transfer the risk – to a party more able to manage it (e.g. contractor, insurance)
82
Q

What are the three core principles of Design?

A

– Safe, They must not fall down (ultimate limit states).

– Serviceable, They must not move too much (serviceability limit states).

– Economical, They should not be too expensive.

83
Q

What is the definition of “Effective stress”?

A

Effective stress can be defined as the stress that keeps particles together.

84
Q

What are the three main components of “Effective stress” in soil?

A

Solid, liquid and gas.

85
Q

What do the three main components of “Effective Stress” represent in the soil?

A

Water pressure = u

Total stress = o

Airpressure = ua

86
Q

What are the major processes driving water movement?

A

Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, sublimation, infiltration, surface runoff and subsurface flow.

87
Q

What is “Consolidation” in relation to water flow systems?

A

Consolidation is the time-dependent settlement of soils resulting from the expulsion of water from the soil pores.

88
Q

What are the principal aims of Site Investigations?

A
  • To determine the site’s suitability
  • To allow for an appropriate design
  • To enable appropriate construction methods to be applied
  • To enable the right choice of materials
  • To assess the (environmental) effects of changes to the site
  • To identify alternatives
89
Q

What factors influence the outcome of a Site Investigation?

A
  • Initial pressure of time and money
  • Inter-relationships between clients, landowners, designers, SI
    specialists and main contractors
  • Technical aspects i.e. design, execution, and interpretation of the
    results
90
Q

What are the phases of writing a Site Investigation?

A
  • Phase 1: Desk study
  • Phase 2: Preliminary reconnaissance
  • Phase 3: Detailed soils exploration
  • Phase 4: Laboratory testing
  • Phase 5: Write a report
91
Q

Within phase 1 of a SI, what should you aim to discover?

A
  • Has the site been used before? If so for what….and where were any structures etc.
  • What of buried services?
  • Is there any other legacy in the area that might affect the site, e.g. mining, waste
    disposal..?
  • Who owns the site, are there any specific planning constraints – other risks, e.g.
    flooding?
  • What sort of soils and rocks might we expect?
92
Q

Within phase 2 of a SI, what should you aim to discover?

A

To provide a general picture of the topology and geology of the site.

Also:

  • Photographs of the site and its neighborhood
  • Access to the site for workers and equipment
  • Sketches of nearby facilities and utility services
  • Geological features from any exposed area such as a road cut
  • Occasionally, a few boreholes may be dug to explore the site
93
Q

Within phase 3 of a SI, what should you aim to discover?

A

The objectives of a detailed soils exploration are:

  • To determine the geological structure, which should
    include the thickness, sequence, and extent of the
    soil strata
  • To obtain disturbed and undisturbed samples for
    laboratory tests
  • To conduct in situ tests
  • To determine the groundwater conditions
94
Q

Within phase 4 of an SI (excluding laboratory testing), what should you do?

A

WRITE REPORTS!

  • Ground Investigation Report:
  • All factual information, and some evaluation of the data (not for design) stating assumptions.
  • May include derived values (the interpretation of lab test values).
  • WHAT DONE, WHAT FOUND
  • Geotechnical Design Report:
  • Data, assumptions, calculation methods and verification of safety and serviceability. The characteristic soil values for design (interpreted from the ‘derived values’).
  • This requires knowledge of the proposed use and calculations of (partial) factors for design safety (designer input)
  • WHAT DONE, WHAT FOUND, + INTERPRETATION
95
Q
A