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Construction Diagrams and Foundations Guide

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Ralph Chirayira
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
325 views4 pages

Construction Diagrams and Foundations Guide

Uploaded by

Ralph Chirayira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

GROUP A

Question 1
Suppose NUST is proposing to build a new lecture block on the vast undeveloped
land on campus. You have been assigned to undertake a site investigation before
construction commences. Explain the stages that you will consider to successfully
undertake this task (25 marks)
Question 2
a) Draw a typical section through a double-storied residential structure with fireplaces
positioned directly on top of each other sharing the same chimney but different flues.
Indicate the construction detail for the flues to function efficiently and illustrate the
suspended ground floor and first-floor slab. (15)
b) Using a sketch, illustrate a section through a house roofed with a concrete deck
with a parapet wall edge. Indicate how water collected on the deck is conveyed to the
gutters and on to the rainwater downpipe. (10)
[25 Marks]

GROUP B
Question one
a. With the aid of a clearly labelled diagram s explain the following type of foundation
i. Strip foundation (4 marks)
ii. Pad foundation (4 marks)
iii .Raft foundation (4 marks)
iv. Pile foundation (4 marks)
v. Combined footing cantilever foundation (4 marks)
b. State any 5 conditions which dictate the choice of foundation(5marks)
(25 marks)
Question Two
a) State any four (4) factors that determine the appropriate form of a roof structure

b) State any four (4) ways of reducing air leakage around windows
c) Draw a well labelled diagram to show different parts of a window (7)
d) Draw a well labeled diagram showing the following parts of a roof:

hip, valley, fascia board, barge board, eaves, verge and ridge
e) Outline the reasons for providing support to pitched-roof trusses for domestic dwellings

[25]

GROUP C
Questions one
a. state any five functional requirements of a floor system (5 Marks)
b. Describe with the aid of sketches any four types of floor systems (20 marks)

Question two
a) Briefly explain the functions of the following construction elements in Zimbabwe:
i. Door Frames. (3)
ii. The Cold Deck Roof System. (3)
iii. Vapour retarders. (3)
b) State and draw any five (5) types of doors. (10)
c) Give a detailed cross-section of a window seal. (6)
[25 Marks]

GROUP D
Question one
a). Illustrate any six basic forms of roofs (12 marks)
b). briefly explain any four different loads to be considered in the design of roofs (8
marks)
c). Sketch five types of trusses that can be fixed on a roof span of ten to twenty
meters (5 marks)

Question two
a) State the ways of classifying foundation piles. (4)
b) Explain the importance of reinforcing concrete. (3)
c) Discuss the method of post-tensioning concrete. (10)
d) With the aid of sketches, illustrate how a structural steel column is connected to its
base or foot. (8)
[25 Marks]

GROUP E
Question one
a. Explain what is meant by the term bricks bonding (2 marks )
b. Describe with the aid of sketches, if possible any four common bond types (8
marks )
c. With the aid of diagrams explain any three types of stairs (15 marks )

Question two
a) Outline any five (5) functional requirements of a roof. (5)
b) Show diagrammatically and briefly discuss the following roof forms
(i) Flat roof. (5)
(ii) Monitor roof. (5)
(iii)North light roof. (5)
(iv)Saw tooth roof (5)
[25 Marks]

GROUP F
QUESTION 1

a) State and explain three (3) methods for gathering information about a site. (9)
b) Explain the importance of site investigation to the:
i. Client (2)
ii. Construction Manager (3)
iii. Quantity Surveyor
c) State and explain any four (4) factors to be considered when selecting a site for
a proposed project.

QUESTION 2

a) Define the following terms


i. Foundation
ii. Timbering (3)
b) With the aid of well labelled diagrams, describe the following types of
foundations
i. Pad foundation
ii. Strip foundation

c) Illustrate a section through a suspended timber ground floor


(7)

[25]

Common questions

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Reinforcing concrete increases tensile strength, allowing it to support greater loads without cracking. It is critical in structural design to accommodate dynamic forces and vibrations, making it essential for stability and durability in buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects .

For a roof to be effective, it must provide weather resistance, heat insulation, sound insulation, ventilation, and structural support. These functions ensure protection from environmental elements and contribute to the comfort and safety of a domestic setting .

Parapet walls on concrete deck roofs often include drainage solutions like scuppers and internal drains which direct water to gutters and downpipes. Unlike sloped roofs that use gravity, these systems require careful planning to avoid water pooling and ensure proper discharge .

Post-tensioning enhances concrete strength by tensioning steel tendons within the concrete after curing. This reduces tensile stresses, controls cracking, and allows for longer span slabs with reduced thickness, critical in multi-story buildings for cost-efficiency and performance .

Foundation piles are classified based on function, material, and installation method, including end-bearing piles, friction piles, and drilled shafts. These contribute to stability by transferring structure loads to deeper soil layers or bedrock, bypassing weak surface soils .

Factors determining foundation choice include load-bearing capacity of the soil, presence of groundwater, expected loads on the structure, soil settlement characteristics, and seismic activity in the area. These conditions influence how the foundation will perform over time .

The key stages in a site investigation include preliminary assessment, detailed site survey, geotechnical investigation, and environmental impact analysis. These stages ensure thorough understanding of the site's topography, soil characteristics, and any potential environmental concerns, providing essential data for safe and efficient construction .

A suspended concrete slab in a double-storied building allows structural support for upper floors while housing the flue arrangement for separate fireplaces. The system includes proper insulation and a reinforced concrete base to prevent heat loss and structural compromise, ensuring efficient operation of the shared chimney flues .

Common floor systems include solid ground slabs, beam and block floors, suspended timber floors, and hollow-core slabs. Functional requirements are durability, load support, thermal insulation, noise control, and ease of maintenance, each varying by building type and purpose .

Minimization of air leakage is achieved through the use of weather stripping, caulking, double glazing, and proper sealing techniques. Reducing leakage enhances energy efficiency by maintaining internal temperatures and reducing heating and cooling costs .

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