week 2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are the six typical types of loads that buildings are subjected to?
Live loads, dead loads, wind loads, earthquake loads, soil pressure loads, and hydrostatic/hydrodynamic pressure loads
What is the difference between live loads and dead loads in buildings?
Live loads vary over time (e.g., people, furniture), while dead loads are permanent and include the weight of the structure itself.
How do static loads differ from dynamic loads?
Static loads are constant or slow-moving, while dynamic loads change rapidly in size, position, or direction
What is the effect of excessive loads on buildings?
They can cause structural failure, excessive deflection, or settlement
What is the longitudinal axis of a structural element?
It is an imaginary line through the centre of the element, running along its length or height, used as a reference to define stress types.
What is the difference between load and stress?
Load is the external force applied; stress is the internal resistance per unit area within a material caused by that load.
What types of stresses can be induced in building elements?
Axial (tensile and compressive), bending, shear, and rotating stresses
What kind of stresses are induced by axial loading, and in what direction is the load applied?
Axial loading applies force along the longitudinal axis, resulting in tensile or compressive stresses.
What stresses are developed by transverse (perpendicular) loads on beams?
Transverse loading causes both bending and shear stresses
In bending, where do compressive and tensile stresses occur in a beam?
Compressive stresses occur at the top; tensile stresses occur at the bottom. The neutral axis lies between them
What are the main ways airborne sound interacts with building elements?
Airborne sound waves undergo reflection, diffusion, absorption, and transmission when they hit construction elements like walls and floors.
How does the Sound Reduction Index (Rw) relate to sound insulation performance?
Rw measures how well a building component reduces airborne noise. A higher Rw means better sound insulation, with each 1 point increase roughly reducing sound transmission by 1 dB.
What construction methods help reduce impact noise transmission?
Using discontinuous construction, such as double stud walls, and choosing floor toppings like carpet and underlay instead of hard tiles significantly improve impact sound insulation.
How do thermal mass and thermal resistance affect thermal comfort in buildings?
Thermal mass is the ability of materials to absorb and store heat, slowing temperature changes, while thermal resistance (R-value) limits heat flow. Combining materials with high thermal mass and high thermal resistance optimizes indoor thermal comfort
Why is natural light important, and what must be considered when designing for it?
Natural light improves indoor environments but can cause unwanted heat gain, affecting comfort. Building orientation and window design should consider the sun’s path to balance light gain and heat control.
What are the components of Fire-Resistant Levels (FRL) for building elements according to AS 1530.4:2014?
FRL includes Structural Adequacy (load-bearing capacity during fire), Integrity (resistance to flame and hot gas passage), and Insulation (temperature control on the non-fire side).
How does the NCC classify building construction types for fire resistance?
Buildings are classified as Type A (high risk, most fire resistant), Type B (moderate risk), and Type C (low risk, least fire resistant) based on class and storeys, which dictates their fire-resisting requirements.
What are examples of Active Fire Protection Systems?
Active systems respond to fire and include: sprinkler systems (wet and dry), fire extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke detectors/alarms, fire hose reels, thermal detectors, fire escape routes, and firefighter lifts.
How do wet and dry sprinkler systems differ?
Wet systems have pressurized water in pipes and activate immediately upon heat detection, ideal for most climates; dry systems use pressurized air/gas to prevent pipe freezing in cold climates but have slower response and higher maintenance.
What are Passive Fire Protection Systems and key examples?
Passive systems prevent fire spread without mechanical action, such as using fire-resistant materials (e.g., concrete, coated steel), compartmentalisation with fire barriers and walls, and firestop systems for openings (e.g., fire collars, dampers), plus safe access and egress design
