PA Mix2 Flashcards
What is three phase electric useful for?
Three-phase power is used in some small commercial applications for higher efficiency, especially with certain large motors and other heavier electrical loads.
A three-phase system may be arranged in delta (∆) or star (Y) (also denoted as wye in some areas).
What is a microclimate of a site?
A microclimate refers to the specific local conditions of the site. It’s affected by the vegetation, elevation, slope, water, solar exposure and any manmade structures. The macroclimate includes information on prevailing wind patterns as well as existing site features such as trees and water.
What is a sundial used for?
A sundial may be used to evaluate the effects of existing site conditions, the impacts of building massing alternatives, the extent of sun penetration into buildings and the effectiveness of shading devices.
What is a sun path diagram chart?
Sun path diagrams are a convenient way of representing the annual changes in the path of the sun through the sky on a single 2D diagram. Their most immediate use is for finding the solar azimuth and altitude that can be read off directly for any time of the day and month of the year.
(looks like a circle, with cardinal lines shown, degrees of the on various sun paths from east to west)
What is a wind rose?
The wind rose gives detailed information about wind direction and frequency for specific time periods.
What are the windward and leeward sides of the mountain located?
windward-prevailing winds -high pressure -precipitation towards the top -cool and wet leeward- dry decending air -low pressure -lack of rain causes dry and warm climate -"rain shadow"
What is an Aliquot?
The description of fractional section ownership used in U.S. public land is referred to as its aliquot. A parcel is generally identified by its section, township and range. The aliquot specifies its precise location within the section (for example, the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter).
What is magnetic declination?
also called magnetic variation, is the angle on the horizontal plane between magnetic north and true north. This angle varies depending on position on the Earth’s surface and changes over time.
What is a plat plan?
also called a cadastral map, is a map, drawn to scale, showing the way a piece of land has been sub-divided.
What is the equation for slope?
g=(d/l) x 100%
g=% slope (in a percentage)
d=vertical Distance
l=horizontal Length between two points
Divide vertical distance by Horizontal length and multiply by 100 to get slope in a percentage
What the difference between a detention pond and a retention pond?
Detention ponds are designed and placed on-sites in an effort to slow the flow of stormwater due to increased impermeability of paving and structures on a site. A detention pond will hold water temporarily and slowly discharge to another area.
Retention ponds are permanent structures designed to hold water flow for a short period of time, similar to a dam. In response to a storm, the pond’s water level fluctuates, reducing risk and saving the community from potential flood damage and costly repairs.
What is a check dam?
Check dams are often used in washes or swales and are earthen, rock or log structures that are installed to reduce stormwater velocities and promote sediment deposition. They can enhance infiltration into the soil and reduce erosion.
What are the Ahwahnee Principles?
The Ahwahnee Principles for Resource-Efficient Communities, written in 1991 by the Local Government Commission, paved the way for the Smart Growth movement and New Urbanism. These principles provide a blueprint for elected officials to create compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-oriented developments in their local communities.
What is the specific consultant that researches the distribution, circulation and physical properties of underground and surface waters. He or she may help environmental scientists and other scientists preserve and clean up the environment or may search for groundwater.
Hydrologist
Note: not Hydraulic Engineer (machinery)
What are the basic soil types?
clays silts sands gravels cobbles boulders rock
-and any combination of the above. Most soils usually contain more than one soil type. Not organic soil.
In a soil report, how is the material noted?
Example:
What does GW stand for?
C is for Clay
M is for Silt
G is for gravel
L is for low plasticity-compressibility
H is for high plasticity-compressibility
W for well-graded
P for poorly-graded
Example answer:
GW= well graded gravel
How can bearing capacity of soil be increased?
through:
surcharging,
adding engineered fill
or compaction.
What is a proctor test?
A Proctor test evaluates the native soils in both dry and wet conditions to determine the potential negative qualities of the soil. It is performed by dropping a hammer on a sample of soil several times and then drying for a period of time.
What does a “Boring” test determine?
TYPES of soils
What does a Brownfield redevelopment specialist do?
He/She specializes in environmental cleanup and restoration of the site and soils.
What is a sociopetal space?
-describing environmental conditions that PROMOTE social interaction, such as circular seating arrangements and a comfortable ambient room temperature. A physical environment with these characteristics is termed a sociopetal space.
What is a sociofugal space?
-describing environmental conditions that discourage or prevent social interaction, such as rows of seats facing the same way (e.g., church pews) or ambient noise that interferes with communication. A physical environment with these characteristics is termed a sociofugal space.
What is a conditional use permit?
A permit that grants the ability to use the building for a proposed use even though the Zoning Code normally would not allow it. These are typically granted with certain restrictions, and they may not be transferrable to a new Owner.
How is the 100-year floodplain defined?
1% probability of occurring in any given year
The 100-year flood is also referred to as the 1% flood, since its annual probability of exceeding this level is 1%. For river systems, the 100-year flood is generally expressed as a flowrate based on the expected 100-year flood flow rate.