Landscape Design Hardscape Design and Construction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does ADA compliance require for the cross-slope of an accessible pedestrian path?
- Maximum 2 percent cross slope (Correct answer)
- Maximum 5 percent cross slope
- Maximum 8.33 percent cross slope
- No slope requirement
Correct answer: Maximum 2 percent cross slope
ADA guidelines require that accessible paths have a maximum 2 percent cross slope perpendicular to direction of travel to prevent wheelchair drift.
Question 2: Which material is most appropriate for a permeable driveway to reduce stormwater runoff?
- Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP) (Correct answer)
- Asphalt
- Standard concrete
- Brick set in mortar
Correct answer: Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP)
Permeable interlocking concrete pavers allow water to pass through joints into an aggregate base, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater.
Question 3: What is the primary function of a swale in landscape drainage design?
- Convey surface water in a shallow, vegetated channel (Correct answer)
- Store water for irrigation reuse
- Prevent soil erosion on slopes
- Filter nutrients from water
Correct answer: Convey surface water in a shallow, vegetated channel
A swale is a shallow, vegetated depression designed to convey stormwater runoff slowly across the landscape while filtering pollutants.
Question 4: What is frost heave and how does it affect hardscape construction?
- Soil expansion from freezing water that displaces pavement (Correct answer)
- Settling of soil after heavy rain
- Cracking caused by thermal expansion
- Erosion beneath paved surfaces
Correct answer: Soil expansion from freezing water that displaces pavement
Frost heave occurs when water in the soil freezes and expands, pushing upward on hardscape surfaces causing cracking, displacement, and uneven surfaces.
Question 5: Which type of mortar joint is most appropriate for brick paving in a wet climate to prevent water infiltration?
- Tooled concave joint (Correct answer)
- Flush joint
- Raked joint
- V-joint
Correct answer: Tooled concave joint
Tooled concave joints compress and seal the mortar, shedding water effectively and resisting moisture infiltration better than open or raked joints.
Question 6: What is the standard minimum width for a two-person walkway in residential landscape design?
- 5 feet (Correct answer)
- 2 feet
- 3 feet
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 5 feet
A 5-foot-wide walkway allows two adults to walk side-by-side comfortably; 3 feet is the minimum for a single-person path.
Landscape Design Hardscape Design and Construction 2
What does ADA compliance require for the cross-slope of an accessible pedestrian path?