3.5 Construction Tech and Env

Question 1

What are the benefits of off-site construction?

Answer 1

-Safety
-Efficiency
-Sustainability
-Speed
-Quality

Question 2

What should you consider before excavation?

Answer 2

-Depth of excavation
-Nature of soil
-Proximity to buildings
-Underground services
-Water table

Question 3

Techniques of waterproofing a basement?

Answer 3

Tanking - using materials such as asphalt, polythene sheeting, bitumen…
Drained cavity - create a cavity wall with drainage in-between to remove the water that seeps.

Question 4

What are SUDS?

Answer 4

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems - help reduce the reliance on existing drainage infrastructure:
-Filter drain
-Rain water harvesting
-Swale
-Green roof
-Permeable pavement

Question 5

Typical road build-up?

Answer 5

Wearing/ surface - 20-40mm
Binder - 50-100mm
Base - 70-150mm
Subbase/type 1 - 100-250mm

Question 6

Typical footpath build-up?

Answer 6

Similar to road build-up but sometimes you don’t need base course.

Question 7

What should be considered when selecting foundations?

Answer 7

-The load of the building.
-Nature of the ground.
-Type of structure
-Cost.
-Construction constraints (proximity to adjacent buildings).

Question 8

What are the different foundation types?

Answer 8

Strip foundations - typically used for masonry linear.
Pad foundations - support columns.
Raft foundations - continuous slab.
Piled foundations - columns into the ground.

Question 9

What are the types of pile foundations and the construction methods?

Answer 9

Types of piles:
-Friction
-End bearing
-Construction methods:
-Driven
-Bored

Question 10

What is the standard size of a brick?

Answer 10

215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm

Question 11

How many standard bricks per m/2?

Answer 11

60

Question 12

How many concrete standard blocks per m/2?

Answer 12

10

Question 13

Can you name two different types of brick bond?

Answer 13

English - alternating between head and stretcher each course
Stretcher - stretcher facing half overlapped

Question 14

What are the main components of concrete?

Answer 14

Cement
Aggregate
Water

Question 15

What is a culvert?

Answer 15

Tunnel structure that allows water to move from one side to the other of an obstacle.

Question 16

What site surveys are required for typical construction?

Answer 16

Topo survey
Asbestos
GPR
Drainage CCTV
Flood risk assessment
CBR test
Archaeologist

Question 17

Name some fire safety provisions for buildings?

Answer 17

Fire alarms
Sprinklers
Compartmentation
Fire Dampers
Fire extinguishers
Fire evacuation plan

Question 18

Fire extinguisher types?

Answer 18

Water - dry solid materials
Foam - flammable liquids
Dry power - flammable liquids
Co2 - electrical
Wet chemical - cooking oil

Question 19

What are building regulations and examples of them?

Answer 19

Ensure buildings are safe, healthy and high performing.
-Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
-Part M - Access to and use of buildings

Question 20

What is an O&M manuals?

Answer 20

Operating and maintenance Manual

Question 21

Construction tech - Level 2 Example?

Answer 21

Review the pavement schedule and see which areas needed narrow widening.

Question 22

Construction tech - Level 3 Example?

Answer 22

Advised on the plane and relay and slip trenching around the industrial estate.

Question 23

What are modern methods of construction with examples?

Answer 23

Innovative ways to build structure. Ways to save time, money, or increase quality.
- Modular building / 3D volumetric construction
- Prefabrication (SIPs)
- Precast concrete

Question 24

Composite materials in construction?

Answer 24

• Reinforced concrete
• Glulam / plywood
• Reinforced plastics

Question 25

Ground improvement methods?

Answer 25

- Grouting - Soil mixing - Geotextiles - Soil compaction

Question 26

What is the ICMS?

Answer 26

Sets international standard for cost management created by the RICS for - latest edition updates life cycle costing and carbon emissions

Question 27

What is the IPMS?

Answer 27

International property measurement standard.

Question 28

At what stage would you appoint your construction team under RIBA stages?

Answer 28

Question 29

What is the difference between Value Management and Value Engineering?

Answer 29

VE - post design exercise to change to solve a problem. VM - design stage, comparison of different options to get to the best mix.

Question 30

Concrete Curing Time

Answer 30

Sets enough to walk on in 24-48 hours 80% of its strength after 7 days Generally 28 days to "finish" curing

Question 31

Advantages and Disadvantages of Steel construction

Answer 31

Advantages: -High Strength to weight -Ductile not brittle -Speed in erection Disadvantages: -Expensive to produce -Fireproofing (1/3 of steel costs on Pershore) -Maintenance

Question 32

Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete construction

Answer 32

Advantages: -High tensile and compressive strength -Fire resistance -Low maintenance Disadvantages: -Hard to store - starts to set as soon as it is mixed -Cost of formwork is high -Thicker structure = bigger foundations

Question 33

Advantages and Disadvantages of Timber construction

Answer 33

Advantages: -Environmentally friendly -Sound absorption -Lightweight structure = lighter foundations Disadvantages: -Shrinkage and swelling -Susceptible to mould and mites.