Geotechnical Factors and Building Envelopes: Exam Questions and Learning Outcomes

Identify geotechnical factors and substructures.

1. Identify geotechnical factors and substructures.

2. Compare building types and structures

3. Compare building envelope material selection and design

4. Discuss interior linings, joinery and fitment

1. Using your free hand, sketch and label a typical section of a cantilever concrete foundation wall with reinforced concrete slab on ground. Identify the following elements in your diagram:

• DPC under bottom plate
• waterproofing to cover both horizontal and vertical faces of rebate steps
• wall ties set into mortar
• stud
• masonry veneer wall
• 50mm cavity space between structural frame and veneer wall
• mortar providing bond between masonry unit
• weep hole for drainage and venting at bottom of cavity, and 
• 50mm rebate for base of veneer wall.    (10 marks). 

2. RibRaft Floor Systems can be constructed for all slab-on-ground concrete foundations for domestic or residential buildings that fall within the scope of Identify five (5) installation processes in the construction of a RibRaft Floor System (10 marks).

3. (a) Timber weatherboards are prone to thermal movement, face splitting and moisture absorption. Explain how these three factors affect timber weatherboard cladding construction (6 marks). 

(b) Explain four (4) areas where flashings may be required for use in buildings (4 marks).

4. (a) A bond is the pattern in which bricks and blocks are laid. Different types of bonding systems exist in the construction of buildings. Compare with diagrams, three (3) bonding systems used for brick and block walls. (6 marks). 

(b) Explain three (3) purposes that bonding is desired to achieve in brick and block work (3 marks).

(c) Explain one (1) implication of un-bonded brick and block work (1 mark).

5. Timber used for residential building construction requires different levels of treatment. 

(a) Describe the minimum required level of treatment used in the following situations:

(i) Veranda post in ground (1 mark)
(ii) Wall framing weather exposed (1 mark)
(iii) Deck piles in ground (1 mark)
(v) External wall framing E2/AS1 cavity cladding (1 mark)

(b) The performance of wall cladding depend on their degree of exposure to rain and weather. There are three known exposure classifications. In your own words, compare using diagrams, two (2) exposure classifications (6 marks).

6. (a) Design features and the owner’s aesthetic and performance expectations usually have a major influence on the choice of cladding material. However, for each particular building location and style it is also important to consider the cost of the material to be used. Compare two (2) cost implications of timber and brick wall claddings in the construction of small residential buildings (4 marks)

(b) Wall underlay must be installed to form a water-resisting drainage plane that stops water getting to timber frames. Describe three (3) functions of wall underlay according to ES/AS1 (6 marks)

7. (a) The inclusion of drained and vented cavities will not stop water leaking through a cladding but will help to remove water. Explain two (2) reasons why drained and vented cavity is important during the installation of wall claddings (4 marks)

(b) Explain three (3) design and performance requirements for drained and vented cavities (6 marks)

8. The external walls of all buildings should be designed and built according to the basic concepts of managing water on walls knows as ‘4Ds’.

(a)Explain each of the elements that make the 4Ds’ concept (6 marks)

(b)Describe the concept of 4Ds’ by using a well annotated diagram (4 marks)

9. Compare two different cladding systems in terms, appearance, availability, durability, construction time and weathertightness (10 marks)