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APC Consolidated - Cores > Construction Technology > Flashcards

Construction Technology Flashcards

(73 cards)

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1
Q

Q. What are the differences between steel and concrete frames?

A

Steel Concrete
Faster to erect – longer lead in Longer installation
Greater span lengths Less volatile in price
Not naturally fire resistant Can be recycled
Volatile in price Naturally a good performance for acoustics, thermal and fire

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2
Q

Q. For a residential block of flats what would you recommend?

A

Each project should be considered in isolation, however if a residential building concrete would provide better sound insulation, in a residential building span distances are unlikely to be desirable, therefore concrete potentially.

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3
Q

Q. What types of steel frames are you aware of?

A

Portal,
Skeletal

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4
Q

Do you know any other materials used for structural frames?

A

I understand timber can be used as a frame; however there are limits to its use in high rise buildings.

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5
Q

What types of foundations are you aware of?

A

Raft foundations – Spreads the load across whole area, good for poor ground conditions, measured in m²
Strip foundations – Carries the load from load bearing walls, suitable on most ground conditions, measured in m
Pad foundations – Provides a base for concrete or steel columns
Piled foundations.

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6
Q

Q. Apart from the piled foundations mentioned on Superstore Cressex Island, what other type of piled foundations are there?

A

Driven = Displacement
Bored = Replacement
CFA = Replacement
Sheet = Displacement
Secant = Displacement
Contiguous = Displacement

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7
Q

Q. How would you measure piles?

A

Nr of piles (Stating depth and diameter)
Piling mat,
Piling rig,
Removal of excavated material,
Breaking through obstructions,
Reinforcement,
Cutting off top of pile,
(Pile caps)
Sundries (sub-contractor costs)

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8
Q

Q. What other types of curtain walling are you aware of?

A

Curtain walling is a type of façade used for the external envelope of a building. It can be used as:
Stick system, that is delivered to site as separate components and build on site
Unitised system that is prefabricated off site and fixed to the frame on site
Rain screen system that incorporates panels in front of the actual curtain walling to reduce wear and tear, reduce exposure to the elements and improve performance
Structural glazing, this is a load bearing structure

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9
Q

Q. Why would you recommend one system over another?

A

It will be dependent on the project specific requirements and the Client’s preference, i.e. if the curtain walling will need to take structural loads it will need to be structural glazing. If the site is very congested i.e. central London and access for large pre-fabricated units is not possible a stick system may be required.

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10
Q

Q. What is the difference between fixing to concrete or steel?

A

Steel will often need to be pre-fabricated with fixings; whilst concrete is very easy to retro fit to as you can simply drill into the slab and create a new fixing.

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11
Q

Q. What is structural glazing?

A

Structural glazing is a system of bonding glass to a building’s structural framing members utilizing a high strength, high performance silicone sealant specifically designed and tested for structural glazing. In structural glazing applications, dynamic wind loads are transferred from the glass, by the structural silicone sealant, to the perimeter structural support.

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12
Q

Q. Why was CFA piling used on GE3B?

A

Lower bearing capacity of the buildings
Fairly high rise (7 storeys in some blocks)
CFA was used as opposed to a driven pile as this would cause disturbance to the surrounding buildings.

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13
Q

Q. What other solutions could have been adopted and why were they not?

A

Driven piles = As above, not feasible given the proximity to other buildings in the area

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14
Q

Q. Why would you use steel over concrete or vice versa?

A

Steel frames typically used if the building requires large spans and areas without columns (for example a supermarket)
Concrete frames typically used on higher rise buildings and residential units, given their capabilities when dealing with acoustics, thermal and fire.

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15
Q

Q. Can you tell me the difference between a boiler and a heat interface unit?

A

Boiler: A boiler is a standalone unit that heats water directly using gas or electricity. This hot water is then circulated through radiators, underfloor heating, or other systems to heat a single property, like a house.
HIU: A Heat Interface Unit doesn’t generate heat itself. Instead, it transfers heat from a central source (like a communal boiler or district heating system) to individual units within a larger building, such as apartments. This means each apartment gets its heating and hot water from the central system via the HIU.

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16
Q

Q. What is the difference between CAT A and CAT B?

A

CAT A = Raised access floor, distribution of services, suspended ceilings etc.
CAT B = Takes it a step further for floor finishes, wall finishes and FF&E.

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17
Q

Q. What are other ways to make sustainable concrete apart from using GGBS?

A

Pulverised ash is another way of substituting traditional

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18
Q

Q. You outlined the embodied carbon for the frame on Quad Three. What is the difference between embodied and operational carbon?

A

Embodied carbon is the carbon emitted during the construction and development of a building
Operational carbon refers to the carbon emitted during the operational use of the building.

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19
Q

Q. Can you define what a deleterious material is? Can you name a few others apart from lead paint?

A

Any material or substance that can cause harm or damage to health, the environment or the performance of the structure.
Asbestos is another one
Dusts (silica)

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20
Q

Q. Why did you advise your client to adopt a pad foundation over mini piles, as requested by your design team?

A

Ultimately this was due to the commercial savings (no piling rig required for the mini piles)
Structural engineer ultimately made the advise for the design.

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21
Q

Q. What is embodied carbon? You mention ways of reducing it in the frame. Can you think of any other ways to reduce it?

A

Recycled materials (recycled steel, timber, etc)
Reclaimed bricks etc
Pre-fabricated off-site solutions can also contribute to lowering embodied carbon

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22
Q

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using GGBS?

A

Advantages
More sustainable than just 100% concrete
Can also increase the workability of the concrete mix
Disadvantages
More expensive
Takes longer to cure

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23
Q

Q. Can you talk me through the build up to the curtain walling system on one of your projects.

A

Quad Three
Stick-built curtain walling system
Comprised of
Mullions (vertically)
Transoms (horizontally)
Framing
Glazing
Structural fixtures for fixing back to the frame

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24
Q

Q. Why was a district heating network used on GE3B?

A

o Already an existing District Heating network that could be connected onto
o Allows for the use of HIU’s for the apartments using the system already in place.

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25
Q. Lab enabled office - what factors did you have to consider to ensure the lab enabled office was produced e.o to a normal office? (additional MEP equipment)?
o MEP suitable pipework to deal with lab waste o Larger risers required o Increased thickness of slabs o Gas storage facilities externally to the building in an enclosed area.
26
Q. How was ground contaminants dealt with on site during enabling works? i.e. if hazardous materials are perceived to be discovered what is the process?
o The contractor would photograph the obstruction that has been encountered o This photograph would also show a measure of the obstruction for a m3 assessment to be made o If taken off-site, then this was shown with a ticket note to show this.
27
Q. What was the heating strategy for this building?
o Powered using air source heat pumps on the roof, providing flow and return o Air to water heat pumps o Serving Air Handling units, radiators and fan coil units.
28
Q. What were some of the fire mitigation strategies considered in the design for the building?
o One that comes to mind is the increased fire rating of the glazed partition of the stairwell. This had to be uplifted to fire rating of 90 mins. o Also increased fire resistance to the external wall that was closest to the next building on the plot.
29
Q. The Harwell campus sells itself as a sustainable campus for top tier science - what health and wellbeing considerations were considered in the project?
o Road included to facilitate further use of the campus’ transportation service they provide for workers. o Showers o Vehicle charging points o Changing facilities
30
Q. What needs to be delivered as part of a S+C development?
o Envelope of the building o MEP and services, capped off at tenant demise o Landlord area’s completed
31
Q. What gets installed as part of Cat A fit out?
o RAF o Suspended ceilings o Internal partitions o Perhaps the distribution of services to work with the intended layout.
32
Q. How did the value of contestable and non contestable works differ for Thames Water?
o £150k
33
Q. What items did you have to reconcile / add for Option A?
o The introduction of a statutory provider completing all of these works is a relevant event under the contractor should they cause any delays
34
Q. You mention using recycled steel and concrete (GGBS) on quad 3 - what % of the steel and concrete was recycled?
o Just GGBS o 67% of the concrete was GGBS.
35
Q. What was the cost uplift to get to xx % recycled from "normal"?
o Around £15/m2
36
Q. Can you use 100% recycled content?!
o No. Typically the maximum amount that can be used is 70%.
37
Q. What are some of the considerations required to achieve BREEAM excellent from very good for example?
o PV panels installed to the roof o Electric vehicle charging o Materials Recycled frame elements and GGBS.
38
Q. Can you tell me how you incorporate Part M - accessibility considerations into a design?
o Power automated doors o No requirements for ramps as there was a no step access
39
Q. How was BS9991 considerations impacted a project you have been working on? (second stair)
o They have not yet significantly affected one of my projects. o Although I am aware that they will impact the requirement for a second stair case for higher risk buildings, increased fire ratings of doors and containment and extinguishment of fire.
40
Q. Residential development - through wall detail?
o Facing brickwork o Cavity o Insulation o Blockwork o Internal finish o Brick ties o Cavity trays
41
Talk me through construction process CFA pile on GE3B?
o Mobilisation of the piling rig o Creation of the piling mat o Marking / setting out of piles o Excavation of pile o Simultaneous filling with concrete o Rabar inserted o Cured and tested o Cropping piles o Construction of the pile caps
42
How does it obtain its load?
o A CFA pile obtains its load using friction bearing as the concrete bonds with the conditions of the ground, normally clay.
43
Key benefits of concrete over steel?
o Naturally fire resistant o Performs well acoustically o Performs well thermally o Can be altered on site as opposed to steel that needs to be developed in advance of coming to site.
44
Quad three talk me through external wall build-up?
o For a solid panel o Associated framing bracketry and fixing back to the slab o Insulated panel with external metal cladding, insulation and backing panel for internal finish to be completed, (plasterboard)
45
On GE3B how did the district heating network work?
o Energy centre located in barking o Provides the heated water to the localised pump room where it meets a plate heat exchanger o Water is heated again using the heat plate exchanger and distributed to the blocks o Once at the blocks it is provided to the HIU’s which heat the water and use the underfloor heating to do this.
46
Q. Why was a district heating network used on GE3B?
o Already an existing District Heating network that could be connected onto o Allows for the use of HIU’s for the apartments using the system already in place.
47
Q. Lab enabled office - what factors did you have to consider to ensure the lab enabled office was produced e.o to a normal office? (additional MEP equipment)?
o MEP suitable pipework to deal with lab waste o Larger risers required o Increased thickness of slabs o Gas storage facilities externally to the building in an enclosed area.
48
Q. How was ground contaminants dealt with on site during enabling works? i.e. if hazardous materials are perceived to be discovered what is the process?
o The contractor would photograph the obstruction that has been encountered o This photograph would also show a measure of the obstruction for a m3 assessment to be made o If taken off-site, then this was shown with a ticket note to show this.
49
Q. What was the heating strategy for this building?
o Powered using air source heat pumps on the roof, providing flow and return o Air to water heat pumps o Serving Air Handling units, radiators and fan coil units.
50
Q. What were some of the fire mitigation strategies considered in the design for the building?
o One that comes to mind is the increased fire rating of the glazed partition of the stairwell. This had to be uplifted to fire rating of 90 mins. o Also increased fire resistance to the external wall that was closest to the next building on the plot.
51
Q. The Harwell campus sells itself as a sustainable campus for top tier science - what health and wellbeing considerations were considered in the project?
o Road included to facilitate further use of the campus’ transportation service they provide for workers. o Showers o Vehicle charging points o Changing facilities
52
Q. What needs to be delivered as part of a S+C development?
o Envelope of the building o MEP and services, capped off at tenant demise o Landlord area’s completed
53
Q. What gets installed as part of Cat A fit out?
o RAF o Suspended ceilings o Internal partitions o Perhaps the distribution of services to work with the intended layout.
54
Q. How did the value of contestable and non contestable works differ for Thames Water?
o £150k
55
Q. What items did you have to reconcile / add for Option A?
o The introduction of a statutory provider completing all of these works is a relevant event under the contractor should they cause any delays
56
Q. You mention using recycled steel and concrete (GGBS) on quad 3 - what % of the steel and concrete was recycled?
o Just GGBS o 67% of the concrete was GGBS.
57
Q. What was the cost uplift to get to xx % recycled from 'normal'?
o Around £15/m2
58
Q. Can you use 100% recycled content?!
o No. Typically the maximum amount that can be used is 70%.
59
Q. What are some of the considerations required to achieve BREEAM excellent from very good for example?
o PV panels installed to the roof o Electric vehicle charging o Materials Recycled frame elements and GGBS.
60
Q. Can you tell me how you incorporate Part M - accessibility considerations into a design?
o Power automated doors o No requirements for ramps as there was a no step access
61
Q. How was BS9991 considerations impacted a project you have been working on? (second stair)
o They have not yet significantly affected one of my projects. o Although I am aware that they will impact the requirement for a second stair case for higher risk buildings, increased fire ratings of doors and containment and extinguishment of fire.
62
Q. Residential development - through wall detail?
o Facing brickwork o Cavity o Insulation o Blockwork o Internal finish o Brick ties o Cavity trays
63
Talk me through construction process CFA pile on GE3B?
o Mobilisation of the piling rig o Creation of the piling mat o Marking / setting out of piles o Excavation of pile o Simultaneous filling with concrete o Rabar inserted o Cured and tested o Cropping piles o Construction of the pile caps
64
How does it obtain its load?
o A CFA pile obtains its load using friction bearing as the concrete bonds with the conditions of the ground, normally clay.
65
Key benefits of concrete over steel?
o Naturally fire resistant o Performs well acoustically o Performs well thermally o Can be altered on site as opposed to steel that needs to be developed in advance of coming to site.
66
Quad three talk me through external wall build-up?
o For a solid panel o Associated framing bracketry and fixing back to the slab o Insulated panel with external metal cladding, insulation and backing panel for internal finish to be completed, (plasterboard)
67
On GE3B how did the district heating network work?
o Energy centre located in barking o Provides the heated water to the localised pump room where it meets a plate heat exchanger o Water is heated again using the heat plate exchanger and distributed to the blocks o Once at the blocks it is provided to the HIU’s which heat the water and use the underfloor heating to do this.
68
Benefits of this approach rather than an individual system in each apartment?
o This is beneficial as it allows for recycling of the energy o Once used, the same network is linked back to the energy centre where the water is heated again and the process is repeated. Allows it to be more sustainable.
69
Difference between shell & core and cat B?
o Shell & Core = Envelope of the building and tenant areas, services capped of at the tenant demise. o CAT-B = Fully developed spaces for tenants as per their specifications, floor finishes, wall finishes, ceilings, services, FF&E etc.
70
On Quad three roughly what % of total embodied carbon did the frame make up?
o 50-60%
71
Following your exercise what framing option did you recommend?
o In-situ concrete o Similar in terms of embodied carbon when assessed against and steel and concrete mix but would perform better with thermals, acoustics and lab experiments.
72
Talk me through building reg updates?
o Update of Part B – Fire safety for the building safety act o Part O – overheating o Part S – Infrastructure for electric vehicle charging
73
Implication of the future homes standard that’s due to be introduced this year?
o Carbon emission reductions – Future homes standard targets 70-80% less carbon emissions o Fabric first approach in the way buildings are built and operate moving towards Passivhaus standards o Updates made to Part F (ventilation) and Part L (Fuel and power) to align with these. o Ultimately the impact is not completely known yet but will see increased costs for better performing buildings and a key focus on the sustainability of those buildings.

APC Consolidated - Cores (7 decks)

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