Sustainable Construction and Environment

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Questions and Answers

What factor is NOT mentioned as affecting construction?

Weather

Government regulations (correct)

Availability of labor & materials

Site conditions

Which material can be made from recycled content?

Ceramic tiles

Vinyl

Glass

Wood (correct)

How long does the construction of a typical subdivision house take?

20 to 30 weeks

3 to 6 weeks

5 to 8 weeks

8 to 16 weeks (correct)

Which stage of construction involves plumbing, heating & electrical rough-in?

Plumbing, heating & electrical rough-in Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement contributed to the decrease in construction time in the last 20 to 50 years?

Factory built components Signup and view all the answers

What does sustainability in the built environment primarily aim to achieve?

Minimize ecological damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 'eco-' derived from Greek?

House Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes greenhouse gases?

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in North America?

Burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'carbon footprint' refer to?

The total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our actions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ecology, what does the term 'house knowledge' imply?

Study of the relationships within ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the principles of sustainable housing?

Maximizing land use Signup and view all the answers

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's atmosphere?

They limit the planet's temperature fluctuations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum compressive strength required for interior concrete slabs?

20 MPA Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials is NOT part of a typical concrete mix?

Steel Signup and view all the answers

What is the 10-20-30-40 rule regarding concrete mix proportions?

10% cement, 20% water, 30% sand, 40% gravel Signup and view all the answers

How should concrete be placed to ensure clean edges?

In forms Signup and view all the answers

What can occur if concrete is allowed to fall over a height of 8 feet during placement?

Segregation of materials Signup and view all the answers

Which type of trowel should be used for smooth concrete finishes?

Steel trowel Signup and view all the answers

What is included in Division 14 of specifications?

Elevators Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of control joints in a basement wall?

To control cracking and allow for movement Signup and view all the answers

Which material contributes the least percentage in a typical concrete mix?

Cement Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended thickness of the combined inner and outer strips in relation to the wall thickness?

One-fifth of the wall thickness Signup and view all the answers

What materials can be used to create expansion joints in concrete slabs?

Asphalt-impregnated sheeting or compressible foam Signup and view all the answers

How do expansion joints function in relation to structural elements?

They allow the slab to move unrestrained horizontally and vertically Signup and view all the answers

When should expansion joint material be placed in relation to the concrete slab?

Before the slab is poured Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum requirement for vapour retarder placement between a wall and slab?

It should wrap around the top of the foundation Signup and view all the answers

What issue does proper installation of control joints help prevent?

Cracking due to temperature variations Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to caulk the outside face of a wall at control joints?

To prevent air infiltration at the joints Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum distance that bridging and strapping should be from joist support?

6 feet 11 inches Signup and view all the answers

What shape does a floor joist with a slight bow edgewise need to be placed?

Crown on the top Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if interrupted joists have a header spanning more than 4 feet?

It must be doubled Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials is NOT typically used for flooring joists?

Steel beams Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of joist hangers?

To hold wood joists in place Signup and view all the answers

What kind of subfloor materials are typically used?

Plywood or OSB Signup and view all the answers

What is a cantilever in floor framing?

A floor joist projecting beyond a load bearing wall Signup and view all the answers

Which of these dimensions can a '2x10' joist cantilever?

Up to 24 inches Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmentally Responsible Construction

Sustainable construction aims to minimize ecological damage and conserve resources.
"Eco" originates from the Greek word "oikos" meaning "house", referring to the local environment.
"Nomy" means "management" and "-logy" means "knowledge".
Economics focuses on resource management while ecology studies relationships in the environment.

Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Fossil fuel combustion is the primary source of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions in North America.
Carbon footprint quantifies greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities.

Construction Waste & Sustainable Building Materials

Building materials with recycled content: wood, engineered wood products, plastic, cardboard, paper, metals, asphalt shingles, drywall.
Sustainable housing is based on five fundamental principles: resource rows, minimum requirements, adequate ventilation and humidity control, reduction of energy consumption, and the use of recycled content.

Factors Affecting Construction

Factors influencing construction: professional builder or DIY, single house or subdivision, weather, site conditions, availability of labor and materials.

Single-family House Construction Timeline

Construction time for a subdivision house is typically 8-16 weeks, a significant decrease compared to the past due to advancements in technology.
Technologies influencing reduced construction time: sheet and panel materials, factory-built components, plastic piping, power tools, multi-house construction.
Custom houses generally have a longer construction timeline.

Stages of Construction

Construction stages: plans, financing & permits, layout, excavation & footings, framing, doors & windows, plumbing, heating & electrical rough-in, exterior finishes, insulation, air, and vapor barrier.

Specifications

Construction specifications organized by divisions: furnishings, special construction, conveying equipment, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, earthwork, exterior improvements.

Concrete Fundamentals

Concrete and reinforced concrete are commonly used in construction for applications such as columns, pier footings, foundation walls, and floor slabs.
Concrete strength is measured in mega Pascals (MPa).
Minimum concrete strength requirements for different applications: 15 MPa for footings and foundation walls, 20 MPa for interior slabs, 32 MPa for exterior slabs, driveways, sidewalks, porches, patios, and garage floors.

Concrete Ingredients

Four basic ingredients of concrete: cement, sand, aggregate, and water.
The typical mix ratio is 10% cement, 20% air and water, 30% sand, and 40% gravel, known as the 10-20-30-40 rule.

Concrete Placement

Concrete should be placed in forms for straight edges.
Concrete should not be poured from a height exceeding 8 feet (2.4 meters) to prevent material segregation.
Concrete should be spread and leveled.

Concrete Finishing

Steel trowels are used for smooth concrete finishes.
Aluminum-magnesium trowels are used for textured concrete finishes.

Expansion Joints at Concrete Slabs

Expansion joints prevent cracking and allow movement of concrete slabs.
They should be used between walls and slabs, and can be made of asphalt-impregnated sheeting, compressible foam, or other materials.

Floor Framing and Joists

Joists are structural members that support floors.
Load transfer can be via ledger strips attached to wood beams, supporting on top of wood beams, or built-up wood beams.
Joists must be treated for decay prevention if situated in contact with masonry or concrete walls.

Joist Hangers

Joist hangers are designed to secure wood joists in place when a thinner floor structure is desired.

Floor Joist Bridging, Strapping, and Blocking

Bridging, strapping, and blocking increase strength and prevent joist twisting.
Bridging and strapping should not be spaced greater than 6 feet 11 inches (2.108 meters) from joist support.

Ceiling Finish Furring

Furring is similar to strapping but used for attaching ceiling finishes.

Floor Joist Framing at Openings

Interrupted joists should be headed off to transfer loads to adjacent joists.
Headers spanning more than 4 feet must be doubled and loads transferred to double trimmer joists.

Floor Joist Framing at Cantilevers

A cantilever is a structural element projecting beyond a support.
Floor joists projecting beyond a load-bearing wall can cantilever up to 16 inches (406 millimeters) for '2x8' (38x184) or up to 24 inches (610 millimeters) for '2x10' (38x235).

Floor Joist Materials

Dimensional lumber: '2x6', '2x8', '2x10', '2x12'.
Engineered wood products (EWP): wood I-joists, open web joists.

Subfloors

Subfloors are commonly made of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board).
Standard sheet size: 4 feet x 8 feet.
Sheets should be installed perpendicular to floor joists with staggered end joints.

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Description

Explore the principles of sustainable construction and the importance of minimizing ecological damage. This quiz covers topics like greenhouse gases, resource management, and construction waste. Test your knowledge on environmentally responsible building practices and materials.