MArch Master of Architecture Master of Architecture: Building Technology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a rainscreen cladding system, what is the primary function of the air cavity behind the cladding panels?
- To provide additional thermal insulation
- To equalize pressure and allow drainage and drying of any water that penetrates the outer skin (Correct answer)
- To house electrical conduit and mechanical piping
- To absorb impact loads from wind-driven debris
Correct answer: To equalize pressure and allow drainage and drying of any water that penetrates the outer skin
The pressure-equalized cavity neutralizes the driving force that pushes water inward and provides a drainage plane for any moisture that does penetrate.
Question 2: Which concrete mix design strategy is most effective at reducing early-age thermal cracking in mass concrete pours?
- Increasing the water-cement ratio
- Substituting portland cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag (Correct answer)
- Using high-early-strength Type III cement
- Adding polypropylene fiber reinforcement
Correct answer: Substituting portland cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag
SCMs like fly ash reduce the heat of hydration, lowering the peak internal temperature and reducing differential thermal stress in large placements.
Question 3: An egress stair serving occupancies above the fourth floor must have a minimum clear width of how many inches according to IBC?
- 36 inches
- 44 inches (Correct answer)
- 48 inches
- 60 inches
Correct answer: 44 inches
IBC Section 1011.2 requires a minimum clear width of 44 inches for egress stairs serving occupant loads above the threshold for 36-inch stairs.
Question 4: The coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump is defined as the ratio of:
- Electrical input energy to heat delivered to the conditioned space
- Heat delivered to the conditioned space to electrical energy consumed (Correct answer)
- Cooling output to heating output at design conditions
- Refrigerant mass flow to compressor horsepower
Correct answer: Heat delivered to the conditioned space to electrical energy consumed
COP = useful heat output ÷ electrical energy input; a COP of 3 means 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed.
Question 5: Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels achieve structural efficiency in two-way bending because their layers are:
- All oriented in the same direction to maximize grain strength
- Stacked with alternating perpendicular grain directions (Correct answer)
- Bonded with structural steel plates between each layer
- Kiln-dried to zero moisture content before lamination
Correct answer: Stacked with alternating perpendicular grain directions
Alternating perpendicular grain directions distribute load biaxially, similar to plywood but at structural scales.
Question 6: Under LEED v4, which credit category directly addresses reducing light pollution and protecting dark skies?
- Sustainable Sites — Heat Island Reduction
- Sustainable Sites — Light Pollution Reduction (Correct answer)
- Indoor Environmental Quality — Quality Views
- Energy and Atmosphere — Optimize Energy Performance
Correct answer: Sustainable Sites — Light Pollution Reduction
LEED SS Credit: Light Pollution Reduction requires controlling uplight, glare, and trespass to minimize the building's impact on nocturnal environments.
Question 7: A spandrel beam in a steel frame building primarily serves to:
- Transfer column axial loads to the foundation
- Span between columns at floor edges and support facade cladding loads (Correct answer)
- Provide lateral bracing between floor diaphragms
- Transfer shear between composite steel deck and concrete topping
Correct answer: Span between columns at floor edges and support facade cladding loads
Spandrel beams run along the building perimeter at each floor level, carrying facade cladding loads and transferring them to columns.
MArch Master of Architecture Master of Architecture: Building Technology 4
In a rainscreen cladding system, what is the primary function of the air cavity behind the cladding panels?