Walls Flashcards

1
Q

The majority of walls are constructed using what 4 methods?

A
  1. Load bearing masonry
  2. Timber
  3. Steel
  4. Concrete
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2
Q

Name 5 typical thermal bridges you might see in a cavity wall / window detail

A
  1. No insulation at the masonry reveal
  2. Single glazing
  3. Metal window frames
  4. Where there is gaps in the insulation
  5. Where mortar has dropped onto the cavity tie
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3
Q

What are the two types of sound penetration?

A

A. Impact sound

B. Airborne sound

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4
Q

What dimensions are counter battens for timber slate walls?

A

50x25mm

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5
Q

Name two things that can cause render on external walls to crack

A
  1. Temperature changes

2. Moisture Movements

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6
Q

How do we minimise cracking in rendered external walls?

A
  1. By reinforcing the rendering with a mesh securely fixed to the wall
  2. By placing movements joints at no more than 6m centres
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7
Q

How are wall tiles spaced in a wall?

A

900mm horizontally and 450mm vertically

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8
Q

How are wall ties spaced around the sides of openings?

A

Around 300mm around the sides of openings

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9
Q

The cavity in loadbearing masonry construction is typically how thick?

A

50mm

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10
Q

Insulation retaining wall ties usually have what fixed over them?

A

Plastic wheel clips

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11
Q

Name the three types of surface finish for wood

A
  1. Paint
  2. Varnish
  3. Stains.
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12
Q

What is a cavity barrier?

A

A cavity barrier means any construction provided to seal a cavity against the penetration of fire and smoke or to restrict its movement within the cavity.

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13
Q

In order to inhibit fire spread in a cavity, every cavity within a building should have cavity barriers with at least a short fire resistance duration. Name 4 places where these should be installed.

A
  1. Around the edges of the cavity.
  2. Around the head, jambs and cill of an external door or window opening.
  3. Between a roof space and any other roof space
  4. Between a cavity and any other cavity (such as at the wall-head between a wall cavity and a roof space cavity).
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14
Q

What is the standard brick size in the UK?

A

215 x 102.5 x 65mm

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15
Q

What size is the standard brick mortar joint?

A

10mm

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16
Q

What size is the standard blockwork size in the UK?

A

440 x 215 x 100mm

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17
Q

What are non standard bricks called?

A

Specials

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18
Q

Why are special bricks less commonly used in construction?

A

Because they are more expensive and take longer to produce

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19
Q

Name 3 different brick types

A
  1. Clay fired bricks
  2. Calcium silicate bricks
  3. Concrete bricks / blocks
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20
Q

What is the recommended size of movement joint for a clay fired brick?

A

12mm

21
Q

What is the recommended size of movement joint for a calcium silicate brick?

A

7.5 - 9mm

22
Q

What is the recommended size of movement joint for a concrete brick / block?

A

6mm

23
Q

In what two locations does cracking usually occur on the facade due to expansion and contraction in the building?

A
  1. On the short returns of walls

2. Underneath window sills

24
Q

Where is it best to locate movement joints?

A

Where there is lateral support provided by internal walls

25
Q

What two ways are wall tiles placed at locations where there is a movement joint?

A
  1. At 300mm centres where there is lateral support

2. Over the individual masonry leaf

26
Q

There is no way of preventing the absorption of soluble salts from the ground by brickwork below the horizontal dpc level. However, how can we reduce this effect?

A

By using dense bricks below the dpc

27
Q

The height of one concrete block coincides with the height of how many bricks?

A

3 Bricks

28
Q

For non-loadbearing partitions, what are the dimensions of concrete blocks?

A

440x215x75mm

29
Q

What is jointing?

A

The finish of the mortar joints between bricks.

30
Q

Name the 4 most common mortar joints?

A
  1. Flush
  2. Bucket handle
  3. Struck
  4. Recessed
31
Q

Lintels with a clear span of 1200mm or less must have a minimum bearing of what?

A

100mm

32
Q

Lintels with a clear span above 1200mm must have a minimum bearing of what?

A

150mm

33
Q

How do we close the cavity at a wall opening?

A

Using a cavity closer

34
Q

What two things does a cavity closer do?

A
  1. Insulates the cavity

2. Acts as a vertical DPC

35
Q

What is an alternative to solidly filling the cavity at jambs with cavity closer?

A

Using the Window or door frame to cover and seal the cavity

36
Q

When using a metal window frame to seal the cavity, how do we seal the junction between the metal frame and the external masonry?

A

Apply a mastic seal at the point where they meet

37
Q

Most loadbearing brick or block work walls over openings are supported by what?

A

Steel Lintels

38
Q

It has become common practice to build in some form of damp-proof course or tray of flexible, impermeable material to direct any water out to the external face of walls. Where is this DPC typically located?

A

Over the head of windows

39
Q

Every cavity should be divided by cavity barriers. What is the maximum distance between cavity barriers where the cavity has exposed surfaces?

A

Not more than 20m

40
Q

Cavity barriers are not necessary to divide a cavity formed by two leaves of masonry or concrete at least how thick?

A

75mm

41
Q

A timber stud wall is fixed vertically between what two things?

A

A timber stud wall is fixed vertically between what two things?

42
Q

In a timber stud wall the vertical timbers are usual fixed at what two centres?

A
  1. 400mm or

2. 600mm

43
Q

In a timber stud wall, what is used to stiffen the studs against movement that could cause finishes to crack?

A

Noggins

44
Q

What is often applied to both sides of am insulated timber stud panel to provide lateral stability?

A

Plywood Sheathing

45
Q

What is the purpose of breather paper?

A

To act as a barrier to water and at the same time allow the release of moisture vapour under pressure to move through the sheet.

46
Q

Plywood sheathing is used to brace the stud wall in what direction?

A

Diagonally

47
Q

The sole plate of the lower stud frame bears on what?

A

The foundation

48
Q

The head of a timber frame supports what?

A

The floor joists

49
Q

As a barrier to warm moist air what should be fixed on the warm side of the insulation?

A

A Vapour Control Layer