Construction Technology and Environmental Services Flashcards
(43 cards)
What are the 5 phases of construction projects?
- Project inception.
- Pre-construction design.
- Procurement.
- Construction.
- Post Construction.
What is the meaning of ‘Modern Methods of Construction’
The use of innovative and off-site manufacturing techniques to construct buildings. e.g. precast panels and foundations.
What is the meaning of ‘traditional’ methods of construction?
Traditional methods of construction relate to on site building processes.
What are the benefits of modern methods of construction?
Cost effective.
Sustainable.
Precise.
Reduced waste.
Better quality control.
Allows for streamlined construction.
What are the benefits of traditional methods of construction?
Allows for more flexibility for onsite changes.
What are the drawbacks of traditional construction methods?
Traditional construction relys on onsite labour and materials which can often lead to inefficiencies and delays.
It is also suceptible to weather conditions and inconsistencies in quality.
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is a buried, watertight container that holds wastewater and partially treats it.
A septic tank has two main elements.
1. The underground tank.
2. A drainage field.
How does a septic tank work?
The raw sewage flows into the tank where it then seperates into three layers; scum, sludge and effluent.
The effluent is the liquid wastewater which exits the tank and travels into the drainfield for further treatment.
The drainfield is a shallow excavation in unsaturated soil that allows the wastewater to filter through the soil and disperse into groundwater.
For the rural house in chorleywood, which septic tank did you use and why?
As the property was a 6 bedroom house, it required a 4000 litre septic tank, and one from the Klargester brand was chosen.
What is substructure?
The elements below the DPC, that provides the base for the superstructure to be constructed on.
What are British Standards?
They give recommended minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction practices.
What is a superstructure?
All internal and external work items above the damp proof course, which are made up of:
External walls, stairs, roof, structural walls, suspended ceilings, raised floors.
What are site investigations for and what is included in them?
The objective is to collect and record data to help with the design and construction process including matters that may impact the development.
Boundary hedges & fencing.
Existing trees
location and size of services
existing buildings
ground water conditions
soil investigations
trial pit info
What isthe purpose of soil investigations
To determine the suitability of the site for the proposed works and determine adequate and economic foundation design.
The investigation should determine the potential difficulties associated with the ground conditions and assist with identifying a suitbale foundation solution.
What is shoring?
A form of temporary support given to existing buildings.
It provides precaution against damage or injury due to collapse of the structure.
What are the main components of concrete?
Water, cement and aggregate.
What are the different types of piles?
Sheet piles.
Secant piles (interlocking)
Bored (auger) piles.
Precast driven piles.
When are piled foundations most suitable?
On shrinkable clays or in areas with new or felled trees.
Where a firmer layer of ground is at considerable depth, i.e. where strip foundations would be uneconomical.
Where the water table is close to the surface.
When are strip foundations most suitable?
On rock, gravel dense sand or stiff clay (narrow strip foundations are common).
On soft clay or soft sandy clay. (Wider strip foundations are required)
When are raft foundations most suitable?
On grounds with low bearing capacity, such as soft clay or silt.
In mining areas, where subsidence is a risk.
On deep areas of fill, where piling would be uneconomical.
What are the technical advantages of steel frame?
Quick to assemble.
Lighter than concrete which can mean a cheaper foundation method.
100% recyclable.
Highest strength to weight ratio.
Do not expand or contract depending on wether conditions.
What are the disadvantages of steel frames?
Require fire protection to be retrospectively installed.
Price of steel fluctuates and can result in a lack of certainty.
Specialist builders required.
What are the technical advantages of a conrete frame?
Fire protection is often part of the structure.
The initial constrcution is slow, so can result in reduced cashflow expenditure early on in the development.
Maintenance requirements for concrete frames are relatively low.
Can provide good sound and heat insulation in comparision to steel.
What are the technical disadvantages of concrete frames?
They are more time consuming to install, than steel frames.
The weather conditions during installation can also slow down construction.
The need for steel reinforcement can lead to issues with price fluctuations and therefore price uncertainty.
They are heavy and require larger foundations.
