LARE LARE Section 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During grading design, a landscape architect needs to direct stormwater away from a building foundation. What is the minimum recommended slope for paved surfaces adjacent to structures?
- 0.5%
- 1.0%
- 2.0% (Correct answer)
- 5.0%
Correct answer: 2.0%
A minimum 2% slope (2 inches per 10 feet) is required for paved surfaces adjacent to buildings to ensure positive drainage away from foundations.
Question 2: Which soil amendment is most appropriate for improving the drainage of heavy clay soils in a landscape planting bed?
- Peat moss
- Compost
- Coarse sand (Correct answer)
- Gypsum
Correct answer: Coarse sand
Coarse sand, when added in sufficient quantity (at least 50% by volume), improves drainage in clay soils by increasing macropore space.
Question 3: A contractor submits a substitution request for a specified plant species. Under AIA contract documents, who has final authority to approve or reject the substitution?
- The contractor
- The owner
- The landscape architect (Correct answer)
- The local building official
Correct answer: The landscape architect
The landscape architect, as the design professional of record, has the authority to approve or reject substitutions during construction administration.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a retention pond in a stormwater management system?
- Temporarily store runoff and release it slowly
- Permanently hold water to reduce peak runoff volume (Correct answer)
- Filter pollutants through soil infiltration
- Convey runoff directly to a natural waterway
Correct answer: Permanently hold water to reduce peak runoff volume
A retention pond permanently holds water, reducing total runoff volume and peak flow rates by capturing and storing stormwater on-site.
Question 5: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), what is the maximum cross-slope allowed for an accessible route?
- 1:12 (8.3%)
- 1:20 (5%)
- 1:50 (2%) (Correct answer)
- 1:100 (1%)
Correct answer: 1:50 (2%)
ADA guidelines require accessible routes to have a maximum cross-slope of 1:50 (2%) to prevent wheelchairs from drifting sideways.
Question 6: Which contour manipulation technique is used to create a swale that directs water around a building pad?
- Contour grading (Correct answer)
- Cut and fill balancing
- Terrace grading
- Benching
Correct answer: Contour grading
Contour grading reshapes the land by bending contours to redirect stormwater flow paths around structures and toward desired drainage channels.
Question 7: A project site has a 100-year floodplain designation. Which federal agency's regulations would most directly govern development within this area?
- EPA
- Army Corps of Engineers
- FEMA (Correct answer)
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
Correct answer: FEMA
FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates development within 100-year floodplains through floodplain management requirements.
LARE LARE Section 2
During grading design, a landscape architect needs to direct stormwater away from a building foundation.
What is the minimum recommended slope for paved surfaces adjacent to structures?