T013 Construction Technology And Environmental Services - Rics Apc

Front 1

What is substructure?

Back 1

All structure below the superstructure i.e. all structure below ground level including the ground floor bed

Front 2

What is superstructure?

Back 2

All internal and external structure above the substructure
Made up of primary (ext walls, stairs, roof, structural walls) and secondary (suspended ceilings / raised floors, balustrades, doors) elements and finishes (tiles, paint, stair nosings)

Front 3

What is the external envelope?

Back 3

The materials and components that form the external shell or enclosure of a building
May be load or non-load bearing

Front 4

What are the Building Regulations?

Back 4

Statutory instruments that sets out the minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings
Supported by the Approved Documents A to P and other codes of practice

Front 5

What are the approved documents?

Back 5

Structure
Fire safety
Site preparation
Toxic substances
Sound resistance
Venitation
Hygiene
Drainage and waste disposal
Heat producing appliances
Protection from falling, collision and impact
Conservation of fuel and power
Disabled access and facilities
Glazing
Electrical safety

Front 6

What are British Standards?

Back 6

Publications issued by the British Standards Institution – prefixed BS
They give recommended min standards for materials, components, design and construction practices

Front 7

What are international standards?

Back 7

Prepared by the International Organisation for Standardisation – prefixed ISO
Compatible with and complement BS’s

Front 8

What are the typical components of site investigations?

Back 8

Objective is to systematically collect and record data to help in design / construction
Should include anything on adjacent sites that may impact and:
Boundary hedges / fencing
Existing trees
Size, depth and location of services – gas, telephone, electricity, water, drains
Existing buildings
Ground water conditions
Soil investigations – trial pits etc

Front 9

Tell me more about soil investigations?

Back 9

Purpose is to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed works and determine adequate and economic foundation design
Should determine the potential difficulties
The method chosen will depend on type of building – function, size etc

Front 10

What are the main site considerations?

Back 10

Access considerations – approach roads etc
Storage considerations
Accommodation
Temporary services
Plant
Fencing / hoarding
Safety and health

Front 11

What is a retained façade?

Back 11

The facade of the building is retained whilst everything behind the front wall is demolished.

Allowance needs to be made for a temporary support structure and also cleaning/ restoration works to the retained façade. Often listed.

Front 12

What are temporary works?

Back 12

Temporary works do not normally appear on construction drawings but demonstrate methods that might be appropriate and resources necessary to ensure safe construction i.e. propping.

Front 13

What is landfill tax?

Back 13

Landfill Tax was brought in by the Government on 1 October 1996, to help reduce the amount of waste landfilled in the UK and to promote the reuse and recycling of waste, and research into waste practices.
The tax, administered by HM Customs & Excise, applies to all waste disposed of, at a licensed landfill site, unless specifically exempt.

Front 14

At what rates is landfill tax charged?

Back 14

Landfill Tax is charged at 2 rates:
£2 per tonne for all inert waste
£38 per tonne for all other taxable waste

Front 15

What is a tower crane and how do you erect one? What would stop a tower crane from working?

Back 15

A tower crane is a tall crane used for lifting objects into high places. The boom allows a longer reach with 360 access. A longer boom reduces the payload capability.
You would usually use a smaller crane to erect a tower crane
Weather conditions could prevent it from working, in particular high, strong winds.

Front 16

What is a scaffold?

Back 16

Temporary working platform erected around the perimeter of a building or structure to provide a safe working place at a convenient height
Usually required for work above 1.5m above ground

Front 17

What is shoring?

Back 17

Form of temporary support given to existing buildings
Purpose is to provide a precaution against damage or injury for collapse of structure

Front 18

What are hoists?

Back 18

Designed for the vertical transportation of materials or people

Front 19

What is a foundation?

Back 19

Function is to safely sustain and transmit to the ground on which it rests the combined dead, imposed and wind loads of the structure

Front 20

What are the main components of concrete?

Back 20

Cement, aggregate (natural rock, crushed stone, gravel) and water

Front 21

What is a borehole?

Back 21

A borehole can be used for soil investigation or for geothermal heating solutions.
Boreholes are the most suitable method of soil investigation when foundations are over 3m deep
Geothermal boreholes are permanent boreholes that use the Earth’s natural heat to raise the temperature of circulated water. This is a closed system and can be used to heat the building above. It’s seen as a sustainable technology.

Front 22

What are piles?

Back 22

A series of columns constructed or inserted into the ground to transmit the load of a structure to a lower level of subsoil
Used where no suitable foundations conditions near ground level or high water table

Front 23

What are sheet piles?

Back 23

Sheet piles – a deep trench is excavated and concrete is poured in situ. The piles can be used to form basement walls or act as retaining walls.

Front 24

What are secant piles?

Back 24

Secant piles – interlocking piles (male and female, often different diameters and hardness) are bored to provide a combination of foundations and basement walls. They go someway in providing a waterproof structure. Secant piles are often seen when a top down construction method is used.

Front 25

What are bored piles?

Back 25

Bored Piles – an auger is used to excavate the soil and then concrete is poured in once complete. A variation to this is CFA (Continuous Flight Augered) where the piles are bored, Bentonite slurry is pumped in to stop the core collapsing and then concrete (which is denser than Bentonite) is poured in. Bentonite is environmentally harmful and is not C21st.

Front 26

What are pre-cast piles?

Back 26

Pre-cast piles – pre-cast piles are brought to site and hammered into the ground. Not often favoured due to the high noise levels associated with installation and the lack of flexibility in terms of depth required.

Front 27

What are the different ways that the piles transfer their load to the surrounding ground?

Back 27

End bearing piles
Friction piles
Settlement reducing piles
Tension piles - tall chimneys, transmission towers and jetties
Laterally loaded piles - bridge piers, trestles to overhead cranes, tall chimneys and retaining walls

Front 28

What is the difference between bored/pre-cast piles?

Back 28

Bored piles remove the spoil to form the hole by a boring technique. Used in cohesive subsoils forming friction piles and when close to existing buildings where the allowable amount of noise and/or vibration is limited.
Pre-cast Concrete piles are used where soft soil deposits overlie firmer strata. These piles are driven using a drop or single action hammer.

Front 29

What are the problems to the PQS regarding cost control with piling? Whose risk is the piling?

Back 29

The end depth of the piles are never a certainty and the procurement route used determines who takes the risk (traditional/ D&B = the main contractor; management contracts = employer)

Front 30

What is a raft foundation?

Back 30

Used to spread the load of the superstructure over a large base and reduce the load per m2 of the area
Useful in low bearing capacity soils and heavy individual column loads
Can be a solid raft slab or beam and slab raft – ground beam system and suspended PC concrete ground floor

Front 31

Under what conditions would you expect a raft foundation to be used for a substructure?

Back 31

A raft can be used for lightly loaded buildings on sites with poor soils
Heavy loads to the raft have the potential to cause the raft to move sideways as a result of raft foundations not being very deep.

Front 32

What is a strip foundation?

Back 32

Suitable for most subsoils and a light structural design, usually reinforced

Front 33

What are pad foundations?

Back 33

Provide a base for reinforced concrete or steel columns
Usually constructed from reinforced concrete

Front 34

What are retaining walls?

Back 34

They act as an earth retaining structure for the whole or part of their heights

Need to consider water pressure and pressure of the retained earth in their design

Front 35

What are the main types of excavation?

Back 35

Open – use battered excavation sides cut back to a safe angle (no temp. supports), can easily construct basement walls BUT extra excavation costs and need a lot of free site space
Perimeter Trench Excavation – trench dug wide enough to form basement walls, support as required – basement walls are constructed then the inside of the basement is excavated.
Complete Excavation – used in firm subsoils. The Centre of the basement is excavated first, then the basement slab cast while the sides of the excavation are supported by struts

Front 36

What is a basement?

Back 36

A storey below the ground storey

Front 37

What are the 3 different types of basement construction?

Back 37

Retaining wall and raft (monolithic) – slab raft foundation (basement floor) that distributes the load, basement walls are retaining walls
Box and Cellular raft – Like above but internal structural walls spread load over the raft, divides basement into cells
Piled – load is carried to the basement floor by columns and transmitted via pile caps and bearing piles (basement has columns in it)

Front 38

What are the main methods of waterproofing a basement? (part A)

Back 38

Dense monolithic – this is where the basement is designed and built to form a watertight space using high quality reinforced concrete, needs good workmanship and strict control. Success will depend on water / cement ratio and degree of compaction. Joints need to be carefully designed
Tanking – e.g. asphalt, polythene sheeting, bitumen, epoxy resins. These can be applied internally or externally to provide a continuous membrane to the base slabs and walls. Externally is better as it protects the structure as well.

Front 39

What are the main methods of waterproofing a basement? (part B)

Back 39

Drained Cavity – can be used for new or refurbishment work. It accepts a small amount of water seepage will occur, and collects and drains this away. Builds an inner non-load bearing wall to form a cavity. The floor is laid to falls, moisture drains to a sump and is discharged direct or pumped
N.B. Basements are rated as to their final use e.g. habitable, plant, storage and the waterproofing solution is often influenced by this.

Front 40

What is scabbling?

Back 40

Scabbling utilizes piston driven carbide tipped heads which impact the surface at a rapid rate pulverizing concrete or brittle coatings. Scabbling can be very effective in the removal of slightly bonded coatings or where the coatings are impossible to be removed by the shot blasting process. It can also remove level inconsistencies in concrete floors

Front 41

What are the technical advantages of steel frames?

Back 41

Quick to assemble,
100% recyclable - inorganic - will not warp, split, crack or creep –
Highest strength to weight ratio of any building material –
Not vulnerable to termites or any type of fungi or organism
Dimensionally stable - does not expand or contract with moisture or temperature changes.Consistent material quality - produced in strict accordance with national standards, no regional variations
Light steel components are always straight
Steel is non-combustible so it will not contribute to the spread of a fire.
Lighter therefore poor soil conditions will need steel over concrete

Front 42

What are the technical disadvantages of steel frames?

Back 42

Needs fire protection
Parts may need replacing
Price of steel is variable
Need experienced builders – additional cost
Even though steel components will not burn they will actually fail (collapse) before a wood component in a fire.

Front 43

What are the technical advantages of concrete frames?

Back 43

Examining the impact of the steel price rises has found that the whole project costs for concrete framed buildings are marginally less than for steel framed buildings.
Fire protection as part of structure
Slower form of construction at this early stage will reduce the cash flow early on
Maintenance of an insitu concrete frame is low
Cladding can be fixed to it and replaced easily.
It also provides good sound and heat insulation.
Insitu allows for alteration at late stage of construction
Can deal with complex geometry better than steelwork

Front 44

What are the technical disadvantages of concrete frames?

Back 44

More time consuming. Slower to construct
Edges may not be as square and surfaces not as flat as steel
The need for steel reinforcement leads to some of the cost issues associated with steel
Heavier so requires larger foundations

Front 45

What are the different parts of a steel beam?

Back 45

A simple I Beam is made up:
Flange (Top and Bottom of the vertical steel)
Web, which is the vertical steel part of the I
Root, which is where the Flange and the Web join.

Front 46

What is a Steel Table?

Back 46

They provide standard information on steel sections in a tabulated form. For each serial size and Universal beam number.

Front 47

What is the weight of steel?

Back 47

1 cubic inch of steel weight .283 lbs.
10mm cubed of steel weight is 0.0078kg

Front 48

What is powder coating?

Back 48

A tough durable factory applied organic coating on metals, such as aluminium or galvanized steel, available in many colours.
E.g. polyester, polyurethane, acrylic, and epoxy which are sprayed on, followed by heat curing to give a film thickness of 50 to 100micorns.
Any holes should be made and any cutting done before the coating is applied.

Front 49

What is an RHS / SHS?

Back 49

RHS = Rectangular Hollow Section
SHS = Square Hollow Section

Front 50

What is intumescent paint? How do you apply intumescent paint?

Back 50

Fire Resistant paint, sprayed on in the factory. Touched up by hand on site.

Front 51

What are connections (in relation to steel) and what percentage would you expect them to be?

Back 51

Plates, bolts or welding. Usually 5% by weight.

Front 52

What is an upstand?

Back 52

A vertical strip or skirting, such as the weatherproofing where roofing meets an abutment wall.
It can be the roofing itself, particularly for mastic asphalt, the top part of a one-piece apron flashing, a mortar skirting or an upstand flashing, and either stepped, raking or level.

Front 53

What is power floated and why?

Back 53

Concrete is power floated in order to maintain a flatter surface of lightweight concrete that has been applied at a faster rate i.e. in commercial offices.

Front 54

What is post tensioned concrete?

Back 54

This method is usually employed where stressing is to be carried out on site after casting an insitu component or where a series of pre-cast concrete units are to be joined together to form the required member.
In post-tensioning, concrete is cast around ducts or sheathing in which the tendons are to be housed.
Stressing is carried out after the concrete has cured by means of hydraulic jacks operating from one of both ends of the member.

Front 55

What is formwork?

Back 55

Anything that holds fresh in-situ concrete in place until it hardens, such as plywood shutters, steel pan forms, fibreglass moulds or profiled decking, as well as its supporting props, centering or falsework, plus accessories like wedges and clips for tightening joints and to make stripping easy.

Front 56

What is slip forming?

Back 56

A method for constructing a repetitive structure such as a core, lift shaft or stairwell.
The formwork is constantly moving upwards, approx. 1” every 10mins.
The concrete that becomes exposed must be cured enough to support.

Front 57

What is jump forming?

Back 57

Jump forming is where a significant height of concrete is cast and left to cure.
The whole formwork module is then moved up and repeated.
It works in a similar principle to slip forming but is slower and cheaper in process terms.

Front 58

What is an A182 mesh?

Back 58

The mesh used to reinforce concrete slabs (generally). The mesh is laid down and the concrete poured over it.

Front 59

In a brick/block cavity wall, how are window openings dealt with in terms of closing the cavity, preventing water penetration and structurally?

Back 59

Cavity Tray – A damp proof course that crosses the 50mm wide cavity of a cavity wall, stepping up at least 150mm between the outer and inner leaves, to form a gutter that leads to a weephole in the outer leaf. DPC – (Damp Proof Course) – A strip of impervious material the same width as brickwork or blockwork wall to stop moisture rising from the ground up the external leaf.
Structurally: Lintel – A small beam over a window/door head to carry a wall load only.

Front 60

What is the size of a brick?

Back 60

Standard bricks are 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm

Front 61

What is the frog and which side does it go on?

Back 61

The frog is an indentation in one of the bed faces of a brick, usually the top.
Bricks with two frogs are known as ‘double-frogged’, though these are less common. Unless specifically stated, bricks should be laid frog (or larger frog) facing up, and with mortar filling the frog.
This gives a stronger wall and superior sound insulation.

Front 62

How many bricks are in a m2?

Back 62

There are about 60 bricks per m2.

Front 63

What are the different types of brick bond?

Back 63

Stretcher – most common, walls just a half brick wide
English – alternating courses of headers and stretchers

Front 64

What is a rain-screen cladding system?

Back 64

It is a cladding that manages the flow of rainwater on a building.
It is not necessarily waterproof itself, but more serves as a screen and protection against rain for the rest of the building.

Front 65

How is composite metal cladding fixed to a steel frame?

Back 65

Bolted
Riveted
Welded.

Front 66

What other elements will be affected by the type of cladding systems used?

Back 66

Frame
Roof
M&E.

Front 67

What is an air brick?

Back 67

A perforated brick to allow for ventilation into a room or an underfloor space. NOT a weep hole.

Front 68

What are the factors that might affect the choice materials for internal partitions?

Back 68

Fire rating requirements,
Restriction for noise (Db rating),
Visually – Opaque/Transparent
Fixed or movable
Strength - If anything is to be fixed to the wall

Front 69

How do you construct a glass partition?

Back 69

The glass is ‘glazed’ or fixed into a frame, be it either a wooden or a steel frame.
The glass is placed in a rebate and secured with putty or beading.
This frame is then mounted between the walls / columns required and usually secured with a putty.

Front 70

What are bonded and unbonded types of screed?

Back 70

Bonded Screeds - Laid on to a ready prepared rough, cleaned concrete base
Unbonded Screeds - Laid on to a sound, clean Bitumen damp proof membrane to BS4483

Front 71

What are floating and resin bonded types of screed?

Back 71

Floating Screed - Laid with steel or fibre reinforcements on to the insulating board, which in turn can be laid on to a suitable damp proof membrane. Sound, clean prepared base.
Resin Bonded Screed - Laid on to a clean, rough pre-prepared concrete base. The resin acts as a ready installed damp proof membrane to the top screed.

Front 72

What is the purpose of a threshold strip?

Back 72

A lightly rounded metal strip over the joint between the floor finishes or coverings that meet under the door leaf.
Prevents fraying, looks better and interrupts combustible flooring under fire doors

Front 73

What are the main components of a hipped end pitched timber roof structure?

Back 73

Front 74

What are the elements of a flat roof?

Back 74

Joists – fixed to wall plates to provide support
Furrings – fixed to joists to give required incline
Particle board – fixed to top of furrings to give flat surface
Felt – 3 layers bonded with bitumen to give waterproof covering
Stone chipping – To give protection to felt and to reflect sunlight

Front 75

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the single layer membrane flat roof coverings?

Back 75

Single layer membrane – one layer of felt consisting of a base sheet of a base sheet of glass fibre or polyester reinforcement impregnated with hot bitumen during manufacture. It is then coated both sides with a weatherproof bitumen compound. It is then dusted with sand on one layer and a thin layer of polythene on the other and left to cool. After cooling it is cut into strips ready for use.

Single layer membrane is too thin and are easily punctured are rarely used. But form the cheapest option.

Front 76

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the built-up membrane system flat roof coverings?

Back 76

Built up felt – is constructed using three layers of the above felt. The first is laid at right angles to the fall commencing at the eaves. The next is laid parallel to the fall and the final layer at right angles. It is then covered with stone chippings.

Built up felt is more common but can be easily punctured if proper care is not taken.

Front 77

What are the advantages and disadvantages of asphalt roof coverings?

Back 77

Mastic Asphalt roofing has an aggregate with a bituminous binder cast block, reheated in cauldrons to 200*C, two coats are required.

Reduces defects as it is poured on site rather than rolls which can be damaged in transport.
Cools quickly, heat close to the roof. 200*C is dangerous, proper H&S drills in place. Hard wearing and can design to allow for transit over them. 60-year guarantee on them.

Front 78

What items would you expect to find on a timber or part glazed door that was required to have a half-hour fire rating?

Back 78

3 hinges
Intumescent strip on door or edge of frame
Self-closing devise
If glazing panel is present it must be 6mm thick, wired glass to a max of 1.2m2 with 13mm x 13mm wood beads encased with non-combustible materials

Front 79

What is an MF ceiling?

Back 79

Mineral Fibre plasterboard suspended ceiling.

Front 80

What is a metal grid ceiling – what are the benefits?

Back 80

Suspended ceiling system formed by a square grid.
Quicker to construct.
Allows for service runs through the void above thus allowing greater floor to ceiling height.
Easy access for service/repairs
Damaged tiles can be replaced rather than whole ceiling.

Front 81

What is the difference between rolled and tiled carpet tiles and why do we use each type?

Back 81

Rolled carpets generally better quality and more expensive. Used in dwellings.
Carpet tiles – harder wearing, lower quality cheaper and individual tiles can be replaced therefore easier to maintain. Used in offices, hospitals etc. Also where raised flooring systems are used carpet tiles allow for easier access to services that run in the void below.

Front 82

What is top down construction?

Back 82

“Top down” is used to speed up the construction process of a building with basement levels. The ground floor slab is cast with an access hatch. The ground below is excavated and another slab is formed. If there is another level, the process is repeated. Piles are usually used as foundations and also act as retaining walls. It allows the building above and basement to be constructed at the same time .

Front 83

What is bottom up construction?

Back 83

“Bottom up” forms the basement and then works upwards in a traditional manner. Simpler but a longer programme.