Building Materials and Construction Flashcards
6 cards from real Architecture and Design practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Building Materials and Construction flashcards as text
Which type of foundation is most appropriate for expansive clay soils?
Answer: Pile foundation
Pile foundations transfer loads past expansive soil layers to stable bearing strata below, mitigating differential movement.
The term 'curtain wall' in construction refers to:
Answer: A non-load-bearing cladding system attached to the structure
A curtain wall is a non-structural cladding system, typically glass and aluminum, that hangs on the building's structural frame.
What is the purpose of control joints in concrete flatwork?
Answer: To create planned crack locations and prevent random cracking
Control joints create weakened planes in concrete slabs so that shrinkage cracking occurs in predictable, planned locations.
Low-E glass coatings on windows primarily work by:
Answer: Reflecting infrared radiation while transmitting visible light
Low-emissivity coatings reflect long-wave infrared radiation (heat) while allowing visible light to pass through, improving energy efficiency.
What is the primary structural advantage of the I-beam shape over a solid rectangular section?
Answer: Material concentrated in flanges where bending stress is highest
The I-beam places most material in the flanges at the top and bottom where bending stress is maximum, making it structurally efficient.
In wood framing, what does 'on center' (O.C.) spacing refer to?
Answer: The distance measured from the center of one framing member to the center of the next
O.C. spacing measures from centerline to centerline of framing members, standardizing layouts for sheathing and finish materials.