Level 1,2,3 Questions

Question 1

Can you tell me how you’ve advised a client on the foundation selection?

Answer 1

Outside area of competence BUT:

Soil type
Cost/Time
Type of structure
Buildaibility (access, proximity, site conditions)

Question 2

What is piling?

Answer 2

Where RC concrete is in the ground to take the load of the structure
Typically reinforced
Used on large buildings with heavy load and subsoil is not able to take the load

Question 3

What are the advantages of CFA piling?

Answer 3

Low levels of noise and vibration
High load bearing
Suitable for a wide range of ground conditions

Question 4

What is a typical ground floor slab build up?

Answer 4

Finish
Screed
DPM
Insulation

Slab
Sand/Blinding
DPM below slab

Question 5

Tell me about the two ways basements can be constructed?

Answer 5

1) retaining wall and raft basement
2) Piled basement

Question 6

What are the different basement grades? How might these be achieved?

Answer 6

Grade 1 - Some leakages and damp areas tolerable. Local drainage may be required.
Grade 2 - No water penetration but damp areas tolerable dependant on the intended use. Ventilation may be required to control condensation.
Grade 3 - Dry environment. No water penetration. Additional ventilation, dehumidification or air conditioning appropriate to intended use.
Grade 4 - Totally dry environment. Requires ventilation, dehumidification, or air conditioning appropriate to intended use.

They could be achieved through mastic asphalt tanking, cavity drain installation and waterproofing concrete

Question 7

Tell me the 7 stages of the RIBA Plan of Work

Answer 7

0 - Strategic Definition
1 - Preparation and Briefing
2 - Concept Design
3 - Spatial Coordination
4 - Technical Design
5 - Manufacturing and Construction
6 - Handover
7 - Use

Question 8

When was it (RIBA plan of work) published?

Answer 8

2020 was the latest, 2013 before that

Question 9

How does the RIBA plan of work relate to your role?

Answer 9

It relates to my role as a QS because it sets out clearly what is required as an output from myself at each RIBA Stage, as well as overall project milestones/outputs.

Question 10

What happens in Stage 0 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 10

Client requirements are established and business case is drafted

Question 11

What happens in Stage 1 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 11

1) Project brief is established
2) Undertake Feasibility Studies
3) Agree Project Budget
4) Source Site Information including Site Surveys
5) Prepare Project Programme
6) Prepare Project Execution Plan
7) Discussions around procurement strategy

Question 12

What happens in Stage 2 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 12

1) Prepare Architectural Concept incorporating Strategic Engineering requirements and aligned to Cost Plan, Project Strategies and Outline Specification
2) Agree Project Brief Derogations
3) Undertake Design Reviews with client and Project Stakeholders
4) Prepare stage Design
5) Programme
6) Obtain pre-application Planning Advice and possibly submit planning app

Question 13

What happens in Stage 3 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 13

1) Cost plan
2) Further design coordination
3) Definitely submit detailed planning app

Question 14

What happens in Stage 4 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 14

1) Prepare Construction Phase Plan
2) Submit F10 if applicable
3) Finalise design
4) Tender to contractors or PCSA if two stage
5) Typically a PTE is done

Question 15

What happens in Stage 5 of RIBA plan of work?

Answer 15

Construction

Question 16

How many units was LTH?

Answer 16

54 units

Question 17

How many units was QSL?

Answer 17

110

Question 18

What is MMC?

Answer 18

Modern methods of construction - is a fast way of delivering new buildings, by maximising the efficiency of material and human resources.

Question 19

Which worked out better in terms of cost between Brick Slip and Traditional Brick Masonry

Answer 19

Typically 150/200 more than a traditional brick masonry wall

Question 20

What would have been the build up for brick slip?

Answer 20

brick slip like 25mm
rails that brick slips are hung onto
brackets
then standard wall build up e.g.
minerall wool insulation
breather membrane
Cement board
SFS stud with insulation inside
2 layers plasterboard

Question 21

What is the build up for traditional brick masonry?

Answer 21

Traditional brickwork with brick ties 102.5mm
50mm cavity
120mm rigid insulation,
12.5mm Siniat Weather Defence Board
100mm Metsec with 100mm mineral wool insulation within
Vapour control layer
2nr layers plasterboard
overalll thickness 415mm

Question 22

What was the cost/m2 difference between brick slip and traditional masonry?

Answer 22

ANSWER

Question 23

How would the bathroom pods have been stored?

Answer 23

Offsite typically then just in time delivering for installation

Question 24

How did you account for programme when comparing the two methods (traditional vs MMC)?

Answer 24

Programme for traditional was circa 90 weeks, MMC contractor provided an 82 week programme.

Question 25

Were there any other MMCs you could have considered for LTH?

Answer 25

Bolt on balconies Precast frame precast foundations

Question 26

What is the build up of a green roof for 200BPR?

Answer 26

vegetation layer, filtration layer, protective membrane, insulation, vapour layer, structural layer

Question 27

What is the build up of a blue roof for 200BPR?

Answer 27

either a paving layer or vegetation layer, filtration layer, drainage layer (like eggshell crate system), attenuation layer, waterproofing layer. Also important to note inspection chambers throughout the roof area to attenuate the water.

Question 28

What is a green roof?

Answer 28

A roof covering that is finishes with a layer of vegetation.

Question 29

What is the key performance information for each green and blue roof for 200BPR?

Answer 29

Blue roof is stuff like discharge rate of water, water storage etc

Question 30

What were the budget costs for green and blue roof for 200BPR?

Answer 30

£200 for green roof and £350 for a blue roof per m2

Question 31

What factors influence the choice of green and blue roof?

Answer 31

Planning, loading onto existing structure, aesthetics, cost, drainage strategy

Question 32

What factors influence the cost of green and blue roof?

Answer 32

Actual system used, whether additional strengthening would be required due to additional load, space requirements if another system like an attenuation tank is used.

Question 33

WHBG - How thick was the screed finish to be?

Answer 33

50-70mm depending on the existing level, there was also a requirement for a mesh reinforcement layer for the screed/cement

Question 34

WHBG - What advantages did the composite metal deck have over the precast hollowcore planks?

Answer 34

1) There was no requirement for additional screed as the concrete could be power floated to achieve a flush finish. 2) Easy to handle on site, weight of the steel deck was circa 10kg, there was a requirement for plant to lift the hollowcore planks in place.

Question 35

WHBG - What was the cost difference between composite metal deck and pre cast planks?

Answer 35

Precast hollocore planks circa XX/m2 Composite Deck was Circa 250/m2

Question 36

What were the impacts of programme between composite metal deck and pre cast planks?

Answer 36

No real programme impact for the composite metal deck

Question 37

Were there not economies of scale from concrete for the WHBG floor options?

Answer 37

Na the floor area was circa 180m2 so not really any change for economies of scale i dont think

Question 38

Explain what the original construction was for each of the three? What is the project? What are the houses? Are they the mid-rise buildings?

Answer 38

ANSWER

Question 39

How many storeys are considered mid-rise?

Answer 39

I consider mid rise to be 5-10 stories, however I know other regulations consider high rise to be over 7 stories

Question 40

What was the external wall for the original masonry?

Answer 40

external wall was brick masonry with SFS system, the alternative would be loadbearing masonry

Question 41

What was the cost saving from changing the frame for the maisonettes on Eastfields?

Answer 41

Circa £30k per 4 storey maisonette

Question 42

What was the programme saving from changing the frame for the maisonettes on Eastfields?

Answer 42

It was not considered due to be early on within the Stage 2 design.

Question 43

Loadbearing masonry wall build up?

Answer 43

Brickwork 102.5mm Cavity 50mm Insulation 125mm Blockwork 140mm Plasterboard 25mm