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JT Revision > Technical - Construction Technology and Environmental Services > Flashcards

Technical - Construction Technology and Environmental Services Flashcards

1
Q

What are the RIBA stages?

A

Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work. Gateways to take a construction project from inception through to design, construction and handover.
0 – Strategic Definition
1 – Preparation and Briefing
2 – Concept Design
3 – Spatial Coordination
4 – Technical Design
5 – Manufacturing and Construction
6 – Handover
7 – Use

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2
Q

What is buildability?

A

The extent to which the design of the building facilitates the ease of constructing it.

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3
Q

What are the benefits of off-site construction over in-situ?

A

Modular products can be made, reducing waste.
Not hampered by weather.
Speed – components built off site at the same time can be transported to site and erected at a faster pace.

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4
Q

What are temporary works?

A

Temporary works that facilitate the permanent works being completed, such as scaffold, propping, formwork, excavation support, access roads and temp lighting.

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5
Q

What are hoists?

A

Mechanisms that lift materials or people vertically.

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6
Q

What is substructure?

A

Lower portion of the building situated in the ground. Transmits the load of the building to the ground. Examples are foundations, retaining walls and basements.

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7
Q

What is ground heave?

A

Usually clay soil that swells when wet and forces the ground upward.

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8
Q

What techniques can be used to improve the ground?

A

Vibro compaction and vibro stone columns.
Vertical drains and vacuum consolidation.
Soil mixing.
Dynamic compaction or dynamic replacement.

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9
Q

Name some different forms of excavation.

A

Site clearance.
Stripping topsoil.
Reduced level dig.
Cut and fill.
Foundations.

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10
Q

What must be considered before excavating?

A

The soil type and ground moisture.
Method of excavation.
Whether ground support systems are required.
How close are neighbouring buildings.
Depth of excavations.
If there are any buried services or drainage.

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11
Q

How can you waterproof a sub-terranean area?

A

Tanking – waterproof material such as bitumen is applied to provide a continuous membrane down the walls and to the base.

Drained cavity – water enters but it trapped behind a waterproof cavity. The moisture then seeps to the floor and must be drained or pumped away.

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12
Q

What is SUDS?

A

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Designed to manage surface water drainage and to mimic natural drainage. Stops the fast release of water into out capacitated sewer systems.

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13
Q

What is a typical road build up?

A

Compacted sub-base (250mm)
Base course (150mm)
Binder course (100mm)
Surface course (40mm)

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14
Q

What is a typical lime floor build up?

A

Geotextile
Foamed Glass Gravel
Clip rails for underfloor heating
Geogrid
Geotextile
Lime Screed

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15
Q

What is the purpose of foundations?

A

To spread the load of the building to the ground and bear the load of the superstructure.

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16
Q

What must be considered when selecting what foundations to use?

A

Ground/ soil conditions.
The total load of the building.
Type of structure.
Construction constraints.
Cost.

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17
Q

What are the different type of foundations?

A

Strip, Pad, Raft and Piled.

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18
Q

What is a raft foundation?

A

A continuous slab that extends over the entire footprint of the building. Spreads the load over a wider area than the other foundations so the stress on the ground below is reduced.

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19
Q

What are pad foundations?

A

Pads of concrete, or reinforced concrete, that support columns.

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20
Q

What are strip foundations?

A

Linear foundations usually used to support masonry.

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21
Q

What are pile foundations?

A

A column that is driven deep into the ground in areas where ground conditions are poor or the loads are very heavy.
Two types:
1. End bearing
2. Friction
Piles can either be bored or driven concrete.

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22
Q

When would a pile foundation be most suitable for a project?

A

When the structure is heavy and the ground is weak.
If there are settlement problems.
If the water table is high.
If the load distribution of the superstructure is not even.
If there are horizontal forces.

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23
Q

What are end bearing piles?

A

Bottom of the pile is driven down until it rests on a strong layer such as rock. The load then transfers through the pile and onto the rock.

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24
Q

What are friction piles?

A

Do not rest on a strong layer, instead there are shear stresses along the side of the pile that transfer the forces to the soil.

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25
Q

What are bored piles?

A

A pile manufactured on site.

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26
Q

What are driven piles?

A

A pile manufactured off site in factory controlled conditions.

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27
Q

What are the advantages of driven piles?

A

Precast to required specifications.
Can be a multitude of sizes and lengths.
A driven pile can compact the soil as it is forced downward, increasing the bearing capacity.
Fast and neat.

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28
Q

What are the disadvantages of driven piles?

A

Needs heavy equipment to transport and install.
Installation is noisy and make vibrations.
An expensive mistake if the dimensions are incorrect.

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29
Q

What are the advantages of bored piles?

A

Can be made on site to any shape and size.
Won’t get damaged during delivery.
Less noisy and vibration than driven.

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30
Q

What are the disadvantages of bored piles?

A

Need to coordinate multiple trades to be present at the same time.
More waste than driven.
Can’t improve the bearing capacity of the ground.
Never certain of their depth until you start – cost uncertainty.

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31
Q

What are secant pile walls?

A

Pile foundations are used to make a retaining wall by interlocking them to create a solid barrier.

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32
Q

What is underpinning?

A

Repair and strengthening of existing foundations.

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33
Q

When would underpinning be required?

A

Stabilise foundations impacted by settlement, movement, erosion or vibration damage. Or to increase the load capacity and accommodate new, adjoining buildings or adjacent alterations.

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34
Q

What is the superstructure?

A

The building above ground level – typically above the damp proof course.

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35
Q

What is the envelope of the building?

A

The external shell of a building between the interior and exterior.

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36
Q

What is a retained façade?

A

When the front of an old building is preserved but the building behind is remodelled or a new structure is built. Usually applies to listed buildings.

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37
Q

What are the key considerations when designing external walls?

A

Weather.
Fire.
Structural requirements.
Lifespan and maintenance.
Thermal and sustainable qualities.
Noise control/ acoustic.
Appearance.

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38
Q

What are the standard brick dimensions in the UK?

A

215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm. Plus 10mm with mortar.

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39
Q

How many UK standard bricks are there in a m2?

A

60.

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40
Q

What is the standard dimension of a block?

A

440mm x 215mm x 100mm.

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41
Q

How many UK standard size blocks are required per m2?

A

10.

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42
Q

What are weep holes/ air bricks?

A

Small openings in the outer layer of masonry construction. Allows moisture to drain out and are in to ventilate.

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43
Q

Name two different types of brick bond.

A
  1. English – alternating courses of headers and stretchers.
  2. Stretcher – The most common. Vertical joints staggered each time by half a brick.
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44
Q

What is a curtain walling system?

A

Aluminium frame onto which glazing can be fixed.

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45
Q

What is a movement joint?

A

It absorbs the expansion and contraction of the construction materials.

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46
Q

Why are movement joints needed?

A

Buildings move and if there’s no flexibility then the forces will impact on each other and the building will break.

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47
Q

What are the main components of concrete?

A

Cement
Aggregate
Water

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48
Q

What is a dead load?

A

Static forces that remain constant – like the construction materials.

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49
Q

What is a live load?

A

Things that have weight and can be easily moved in a building – people, furniture, equipment.

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50
Q

What is a retaining wall?

A

A wall that holds back a load, typically soil. So the pressure of the soil behind the wall is transferred to it and doesn’t spill forward.

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51
Q

What is reinforced concrete?

A

Concrete that usually has a steel element added to it. The combination of both materials make it stronger and able to take heavier loads.

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52
Q

What is pre-tensioned concrete?

A

The reinforcement is stretched across the formwork before the concrete is poured. When hardened, the tension is released and transferred into the concrete giving it a greater compressive force.

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53
Q

What is a glulam beam?

A

Glue laminated timber. Multiple layers of solid wood bonded together with a strong adhesive to make a structural beam.

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54
Q

What’s are the advantages of timber frames?

A

Faster to erect than concrete.
Relatively lightweight.
Looks good.
Sustainable if grown and harvested responsibly.

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55
Q

What the disadvantages of timber frames?

A

Need skilled craftsman for a high quality finish.
Timber susceptible to rot and woodworm.
Fire protection required.

56
Q

What are the advantages of steel frames?

A

Faster to erect than concrete.
Recyclable.
High strength to weight ratio.
Beams can span long distances.

57
Q

What are the disadvantages of steel frames?

A

Lower load bearing than concrete frames.
Fire protection required.
Steel prices fluctuate.
Lower acoustic and thermal properties than concrete.

58
Q

What are the parts of a steel beam?

A

Flange
Web
Root

59
Q

What is a steel table?

A

Standard information on steel sections

60
Q

What does RHS and SHS mean?

A

Round hollow section
Square hollow section

61
Q

How would you fireproof steel?

A

Intumescent painting
Fireproof boxing in

62
Q

What is powder coating and what are its advantages?

A

Factory applied coating on metals.
Stops corrosion / abrasive damage.

63
Q

What are UBs and UCs?

A

Universal beams
Universal columns

64
Q

What is a portal frame?

A

A steel beam or rafter supported at either ends by columns on pad foundations. Usually long spans that make them good for wide open spaces like warehouses and factories.

65
Q

What are the advantages of concrete frames?

A

No need for extra fire protection.
Can fit finishes directly to the frame.
Good sound and heat insulation.
High compressive strength.

66
Q

What are the disadvantages of concrete frames?

A

Need formwork.
Slower to construct.
Bulky.
Doesn’t span as far as steel.
Long curing time.

67
Q

What is formwork?

A

Temporary structure created to pour the concrete into and mould into the required shape/dimensions. This is usually removed once the concrete has set and can support itself.

68
Q

What should be considered when choosing a type of frame?

A

Programme.
Fire protection.
Acoustic and thermal requirements.
Cost and availability.
Site constraints.
End user requirements.
Sustainability requirements.
M&S strategy.
Future use.

69
Q

What is slipform construction?

A

Pouring concrete into a continuously moving formwork. Usually for stair cores, towers and lift shafts.

70
Q

What must be considered when designing internal partitions?

A

Fire rating.
Acoustic and thermal requirements.
Placement of doors and windows.
Heights.
The ability to fix things to the wall.

71
Q

What is a Cat A fit out?

A

A basic level of finish – providing a blank canvas for the client or designers to complete. A shell.

72
Q

What is a Cat B fit out?

A

A level of finish that enables the end user to move in and start using the building.

73
Q

What are different types of plasterboard?

A

Standard (white or grey).
Fire (pink).
Acoustic (blue).
Moisture resistant (green).

74
Q

What is raised access flooring?

A

Floor that sits on pedestals above the slab so that services can be routed underneath it.

75
Q

What is a single phase electrical supply?

A

One live electrical wire. Older system not really used anymore but common in older buildings.

76
Q

What is a three phase electrical supply?

A

Three live wires that delivers a more constant, reliable current.

77
Q

Why would you install a generator?

A

To ensure a building has electricity if the main power supply fails.

78
Q

What is a UPS?

A

Uninterruptible Power Supply. Ensures there is no loss of power should the primary supply fails. Usually in hospitals.

79
Q

What is HVAC?

A

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

80
Q

What is natural ventilation?

A

Supplying fresh air to a room or building by natural means – opening a window.

81
Q

What is mechanical ventilation?

A

Using machines to supply a building with fresh air.

82
Q

What is rainscreen cladding?

A

Cladding on a building that manages the flow of rainwater. Isn’t waterproof itself but provides a screen and protection to the rest of the building.

83
Q

What is the purpose of a parapet?

A

An extension of the external wall above roof level. Can provide edge protection for people on the roof doing maintenance. Can hide roof top plant behind it. Older building have a gutter behind them.

84
Q

What site surveys might be required prior to construction beginning?

A

Asbestos.
Topographic.
Site survey.
Ecological.
Archaeological.
CCTV on the drainage.
Utilities.
Flood risk assessment.
Transport assessment.

85
Q

Why do we need a site investigation?

A

To find out what type of foundation structure is best suited to the site.
To find out if the ground is contaminated.

86
Q

What is a CBR test?

A

California Bearing Ratio. Tests the load bearing capacity of the ground.

87
Q

What fire safety provisions might be included in a new building?

A

Fire alarms.
Extinguishers.
Sprinkler systems.
Fire barriers in cavities.
An evacuation plan.
Evacuation chairs.
Signage.
Emergency shut down of plant.

88
Q

What is fire compartmentation?

A

Subdivide the building into sections and install fire barriers to limit the spread of fire and smoke throughout the building.

89
Q

What is intumescent paint?

A

A fire protection measure. A paint usually applied to steel. It expands in extreme heat to protect the structure from being destroyed.

90
Q

How are fire sprinklers activated?

A

When the heat of the fire hits the head of the sprinkler, the soldered nub will melt and release the water onto the fire.

91
Q

What are the different types of fire extinguishers?

A

Water – for wood, cardboard and textiles.
Foam – for flammable liquids.
Dry powder – for flammable liquids and electrical fires.
Carbon dioxide – for electrical fires.
Wet chemical – for cooking oil fires.

92
Q

What are Building Regulations?

A

Regulations to ensure that our buildings, whether old or new, are safe and (if possible) high performing.
Regulations set out the following:
What qualifies as building work.
Types of buildings that are exempt.
Notification procedures.

93
Q

Name some of the Building Regulations Approved Documents.

A

Part A – Structure.
Part L – Conservation of fuel and power.
Part M – Access to and use of buildings.
Part P – Electrical safety.

94
Q

What are the types of building regulation applications?

A

Large project – full plans application.
Smaller project – building notice.

95
Q

Who makes sure the design and construction is compliant with Building Regulations?

A

The Building Control Officer or Approved Inspector.

96
Q

What are British Standards?

A

The minimum standards allowed for materials, components, design and construction practises in the UK. Not legislation but considered best practise.

97
Q

Can you give me an example of a British Standard?

A

BS 7913 – Guide to the conservation of historic buildings.
BS 9999 – Code of practice for fire safety.

98
Q

How does the Equality Act 2010 affect buildings?

A

Must ensure the building is accessible to all where this is reasonably practical. This is sometimes difficult to achieve with listed buildings or scheduled ancient monuments.

99
Q

What is the Party Wall Act?

A

A framework for preventing and resolving disputes between people that share a boundary. Particularly relevant during construction if excavations are taking place near or next to a neighbour’s property.

100
Q

What are O&M manuals?

A

Operation and Maintenance Manuals.
Handed to the client at completion and contains all the information about how the building has been constructed and how it should be maintained, cleaned and decommissioned. It should contain all As Built drawings and specifications.

101
Q

What is construction technology?

A

Processes and methods used in the construction industry.
Importance of achieving building regulations.
Inter-related systems and assemblies work together.

102
Q

What do you understand by the inter relationship between construction technology?

A

Off-site construction
Mobile and software apps
AI and machinery
Safety and training
Labour shortages
Programme / lead times

103
Q

Name the main components of a timber roof structure.

A

Purlins, battens, trusses, tiles or slates, insulation, barge board

104
Q

What is an MF ceiling?

A

Lightweight metal framing system for use with plasterboard.

105
Q

What are the advantages of using suspended ceiling?

A

Insulation
Allows services to run in the void
Cost

106
Q

What are the different types of lift available?

A

Platform
Cantilevered
Passenger
Dumb waiter
Freight

107
Q

Main site considerations for contractor setting up on site?

A

Access / egress
Storage / plant
Temporary services
Fencing / security
Health and safety

108
Q

What is landfill tax?

A

Brought in by Government in 1996.
To reduce landfill waste and promote recycling / reuse.
Applies to all waste disposed of at licences landfill sites unless specifically exempt.

109
Q

What is active waste?

A

Substances that either decay or contaminate land which includes household waste.
Expensive to dispose of.

110
Q

What is inactive waste?

A

Biologically or chemically inactive. Don’t give out harmful residue.
Cheap to dispose of.

111
Q

What is a scaffold?

A

Temporary working platform erected to ensure provide sage working place.
Usually required for working above 1.5m.

112
Q

What is aggregate?

A

Natural stone / crushed rock / gravel.

113
Q

What is power floating and why?

A

Hand operated machine on concrete to achieve a smooth finish.

114
Q

What is A182 mesh?

A

Mesh used to reinforce concrete.

115
Q
  1. What is a damp-proof course?
A

Material to stop moisture rising from the ground up.

116
Q

In a masonry wall, how are window openings dealt with structurally?

A

Lintels

117
Q

What are the different faces of a brick called?

A

Stretcher
Header
Solider

118
Q

What is a ridge?

A

Beam running across top of roof.

119
Q

What is a hip rafter?

A

Rafter extending from wall plate to ridge forming the hip.

120
Q

What are wall plates?

A

Top of external wall to receive rafter feet.

121
Q

What are the principles of rafters?

A

Main roof structure.
Ridge to eaves.

122
Q

What are purlins?

A

Horizontal beams support structure.

123
Q

What are battens?

A

Timber that run between rafters.
Roof cover is fixed to battens.

124
Q

Elements of a flat roof?

A

Joists
Particle board
Felt

125
Q

What is a single layer membrane?

A

One layer of felt.

126
Q

What is built up felt?

A

Three layers of a single membrane.

127
Q

Features of a 30-minute fire rated door?

A

Intumescent strips
Intumescent paint
6mm thick glass

128
Q

What is a switch board and distribution board?

A

Switch board – board that directs electricity from one source to supply several smaller currents.
Distribution board – board that divides electrical power feed into circuits.

129
Q

What is an AHU?

A

Air handling unit.
Used to regulate and circulate air.

130
Q

What is cladding?

A

Components that are attached to a primary structure to form a non-structural external surface.

131
Q

What is curtain walling?

A

Non-structural cladding system for external walls.

132
Q

What is prefabricated construction?

A

Assembling of components of a structure off site.
Complete or sub-assemblies.

133
Q

Features on a historic façade?

A

Carved stone.
Buttresses.
Parapet gutters.
Terracotta.
Chimney stacks.

134
Q

What is a yard gully?

A

Drain in ground for rainwater to fall into.

135
Q

What is a waste pipe?

A

Pipe that drains waste water from shower, bath and sink etc.

136
Q

What is an attenuation tank?

A

Flood management system.
Overflow of water in underground drainage overflows into perforated pipe.

137
Q

What is grey and brown water?

A

Grey water from sinks, taps etc.
Brown water from toilets.

JT Revision (16 decks)

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