ARE SPD

Question 1

Detains water for a while before it enters the sewer system, uses a restrictor

Answer 1

detention pond

Question 2

Retains water in one place as it slowly seeps into the groundwater

Answer 2

retention pold

Question 3

Smaller pipe at the base of a detention pond that restricts the flow of water into the sewer system so that the system is not overwhelmed

Answer 3

restrictor

Question 4

Name the % slope designations necessary for memorization

Answer 4

2% min, 25% grassy max, 50% max

Question 5

How many square feet are in an acre?

Answer 5

43,560 SF

Question 6

The English founder of the Garden City Movement. He published “To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform” (1898), the description of a Utopian city in which people live harmoniously together with nature. The publication resulted in the founding of the movement, and the building of the first Garden City, Letchworth.

Answer 6

Ebenezer Howard (1850 - 1928)

Question 7

Real estate term for any work done to a site

Answer 7

improvement

Question 8

Typical test used by the soils engineer to form their bearing report. Typically uses a split spoon sampler (also called a SPT sampler).

Answer 8

Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

Question 9

Boring test typically used in a Standard Penetration Test (SPT). Uses a hollow tube that is pounded into the ground. The number of blows required to pound the tube into the ground are recorded, as well as the contents of the soil(s) found in each boring.

Answer 9

split spoon sampler

Question 10

On-site geotechnical testing method used to estimate the undrained shear strength of fully saturated clays specifically. The procedure involves rotating a vane through the soil and measuring the torque until the soil fails in shear on a cylindrical surface around the vane.

Answer 10

vane shear test

Question 11

Method used to determine the geotechnical engineering properties of soils and delineating soil stratigraphy. The method consists of pushing an instrumented cone, with the tip facing down, into the ground at a controlled rate. Achieves similar outcomes to the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and can be used interchangeably.

Answer 11

Cone Penetration Test/Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT)

Question 12

Upper surface of the zone of saturation, also known as the water table

Answer 12

saturation point

Question 13

Where the pores and fractures of the ground are saturated with water. A constant water table is good, a fluctuating water table can cause issues and must be understood.

Answer 13

zone of saturation

Question 14

In addition to soils information, the soils engineer’s bearing report will include what?

Answer 14

foundation recommendation

Question 15

A system used to pump groundwater away from a specific area when building below the water table.

Answer 15

de-watering

Question 16

The steepest angle of descent or dip relative to the horizontal plane to which a material can be piled without slumping. The angle is related to the density, surface area and shapes of the particles, and the coefficient of friction of the material.

Answer 16

angle of repose

Question 17

System of temporarily supporting the earth when excavating a site. This process is expensive, so it is only used when necessary (i.e. on tight sites, with consideration for close neighbors)

Answer 17

shoring

Question 18

This is exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. It increases in proportion to depth measured from the surface because of the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above.

Answer 18

hydrostatic pressure

Question 19

System of temporary support during excavation where steel is jammed into the ground and epoxied. It is an alternative to bracing, which gets in the way of work within the excavation.

Answer 19

deadmen

Question 20

System of support during excavation designed for deep foundation applications. They are designed to transfer structural loads away from surface soils, which do not have the mechanical properties to support large buildings, to deeper beating strata soils. They are most commonly used in dense soils or rock where no piling system is better for offering pule resistance at the tip for point bearing capacity.

Answer 20

H-piles

Question 21

Engineering technique used to build reinforced concrete walls in areas of soft earth close to open water, or with a high groundwater table. (typ. for waterfront sites)

Answer 21

slurry walls

Question 22

The notion that the shape of soil will impact its capacity.

Answer 22

containment

Question 23

A phenomenon whereby a saturated or partially saturated soil substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, usually earthquake shaking or other sudden change in stress condition, causing it to behave like a liquid.

Answer 23

liquefaction

Question 24

Used along foundation walls to slope rainwater away from the wall, common materials used are clay and concrete

Answer 24

hard pack

Question 25

Typical parking space dimensions and SF allocation/car

Answer 25

9' x 19', 300 - 350 SF/car

Question 26

Trees having green leaves throughout the year, as opposed to decidious

Answer 26

evergreen

Question 27

A length of pipe, running under a road or other barrier, used to drain or carry water.

Answer 27

culvert

Question 28

The general pattern of movement of the water on, under, and above the earth.

Answer 28

water cycle

Question 29

Trees which shed leaves annually, as opposed to evergreens.

Answer 29

deciduous

Question 30

The rights to the use or control of the air space above a property.

Answer 30

air rights

Question 31

The elevation of the ground surface after completion of all work.

Answer 31

finish grade

Question 32

The length of a lot line along a street or other public way.

Answer 32

frontage

Question 33

The right of an owner to have ingress and egress to and from a property.

Answer 33

access right

Question 34

Clay pipe, usually with open joints, used to convey water away from a footing or to disperse liquid in a septic tank field.

Answer 34

drain tile

Question 35

A fictitious temperature which would produce the same physiological effect as the combined effects of temperature, humidity, and air movement.

Answer 35

effective temperature

Question 36

The surface flow of water from an area.

Answer 36

run-off

Question 37

Describing cone-bearing evergreen trees and shrubs, such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar.

Answer 37

coniferous

Question 38

The process by which water vapor escapes into the atmosphere from plants.

Answer 38

transpiration

Question 39

A parcel of land.

Answer 39

plot

Question 40

A stone guard to prevent damage to a wall; also a freestanding stone post to divert vehicular traffic.

Answer 40

bollard

Question 41

The rate of rise or descent of a sloping surface. Also, to remove and/or add earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile.

Answer 41

grade

Question 42

Earth that is replaced around a foundation or retaining wall after the concrete forms have been removed.

Answer 42

backfill

Question 43

A line, usually parallel to a property line, beyond which a structure may not extend.

Answer 43

building line

Question 44

An ornamental garden arrangement.

Answer 44

parterre

Question 45

An underground geological formation through which water flows.

Answer 45

aquifer

Question 46

The expected maximum depth of frost penetration in the ground in a given area. Foundation footings must be fully below this depth at the perimeter of a building.

Answer 46

frost line or frost depth

Question 47

The height above a known point of reference, often taken as the height above sea level.

Answer 47

elevation

Question 48

An approximately level building area.

Answer 48

pad

Question 49

Earth which is removed (cut) and earth which is added (fill) in grading.

Answer 49

cut and fill

Question 50

An underground pipe or drain used to carry off rain water (storm sewer) or waste matter (sanitary sewer).

Answer 50

sewer

Question 51

A housing pattern in which units face into a common open space.

Answer 51

court pattern

Question 52

A fictitious temperature assigned to a combination of actual temperature and wind velocity which has the same physiological effect as still air at the wind chill index temperature. It is also known as chill factor.

Answer 52

wind chill index

Question 53

A circumferential or loop roadway around an urban area or development.

Answer 53

ring road

Question 54

An excavated, level terrace in a slope used to collect running water.

Answer 54

bench

Question 55

A pit , usually filled with coarse stone, into which water is conducted for leaching out into surrounding soil.

Answer 55

dry well

Question 56

The gradual wearing away or disintegration of land caused by water, wind, and so on running over its surface.

Answer 56

erosion

Question 57

Structures or plants which, because of their form and location, reduce wind velocities.

Answer 57

windbreak

Question 58

The lowest point of the inside of a drain, pipe, channel, or other liquid-carrying conduit.

Answer 58

invert

Question 59

A fictitious temperature assigned to a combination of actual temperature and wind velocity which has the same physiological effect as still air at the chill factor temperature. It is also known as wind chill index.

Answer 59

chill factor

Question 60

In surveying, a direction stated in degrees, minutes, and seconds as an angular deviation east or west from due north or south.

Answer 60

bearing

Question 61

The amount or degree of moisture in an area, a determining element of weather.

Answer 61

humidity

Question 62

The design and arrangement of natural elements on a site.

Answer 62

landscaping

Question 63

A public service, such as telephone, water, gas, or electricity.

Answer 63

utility

Question 64

The natural and manmade things, conditions, and influences surrounding a person, community, or place.

Answer 64

environment

Question 65

The total horizontal area within the boundary lines of a parcel of land.

Answer 65

lot area

Question 66

The percentage of total rainfall which is not absorbed in the ground and, hence, runs off. It must be collected in a system of surface and subsurface drains.

Answer 66

runoff coefficient

Question 67

The climatic characteristics unique to a very small area.

Answer 67

microclimate

Question 68

The digging or removal of earth.

Answer 68

excavation

Question 69

The geographic area from which the participants in an activity are drawn, such as the customers of a shopping center or the employees of a manufacturing plant.

Answer 69

catchment

Question 70

A hole through which a person can enter a sewer, pipe, conduit, and so on for inspection, repair, or maintenance.

Answer 70

manhole

Question 71

The difference of elevation between adjacent contour lines.

Answer 71

contour interval

Question 72

A belvedere or viewing place

Answer 72

gazebo

Question 73

A log showing the types of soil encountered in a test boring and other relevant information.

Answer 73

soil boring log

Question 74

Inclination or slant, especially of the ground surface.

Answer 74

slope

Question 75

The extension of a building into the property of another.

Answer 75

encroachment

Question 76

The intersection of two roads at different levels so that vehicles may move from one road to the other without crossing the stream of traffic. Also called interchange.

Answer 76

grade separation

Question 77

The amount by which the average outdoor temperature at a particular location is below 65 degrees Farenheit for one day. Degree days may also be summed and stated for a month or year.

Answer 77

degree day (dd)

Question 78

The temperature of air at which the water contained in the air begins to condense and form dew. It is therefore the temperature at which the air is at 100% relative humidity.

Answer 78

dew point

Question 79

A road or path reserved for bicycle traffic.

Answer 79

bikeway

Question 80

A horizontal plane elevation used as a reference for other elevations in surveying and mapping.

Answer 80

datum

Question 81

The land surrounding a flowing stream over which water spreads when a flood occurs.

Answer 81

flood plain

Question 82

A type of residential siting in which a series of housing units are grouped closely together and surrounded by open space.

Answer 82

cluster

Question 83

The ratio of the area covered by buildings to the total lot area, expressed as a percentage.

Answer 83

land coverage

Question 84

Land on which buildings have not yet been constructed, but which contains utilities and streets.

Answer 84

improved land

Question 85

A partial obstruction against flow, in a duct or pipe.

Answer 85

baffle

Question 86

The process of controlling, collecting, transporting, and disposing of excess water.

Answer 86

drainage

Question 87

A sievelike device at the entrance to a storm sewer which traps matter that could block the sewer.

Answer 87

catch basin

Question 88

A statement, often required by a governmental body, which assesses the environmental impact of a proposed development.

Answer 88

environmental impact statement

Question 89

A street, alley, or other thoroughfare or easement permanently established for passage of persons or vehicles.

Answer 89

way

Question 90

A semicircular open area, with or without a roof, providing a continuous seat.

Answer 90

exedra

Question 91

The number of degrees north or south of the equator of a point on the earth's surface.

Answer 91

latitude

Question 92

The level below which the subsoil is completely saturated with water. Also called the water table.

Answer 92

groundwater level

Question 93

The study of the pattern of relations between a community or organisms and its environment.

Answer 93

ecology

Question 94

The layer of soil beneath the topsoil.

Answer 94

subsoil

Question 95

Product of designing pathways in the wrong place; also called a cow path

Answer 95

desire line

Question 96

laid the foundations of land policy until passage of the Homestead Act in 1862. It established the basis for the Public Land Survey System, and how new towns in America would be laid out.

Answer 96

Land Ordinance of 1785