A soils report has indicated that the water table is 5'-0" above the basement level of a planned three- story building. What type of construction technique most likely will be required?
dampproofing
surcharging
waterproofing
waterstopping
A deep excavation for a high-rise building in an urban area would require:
battered walls
needle beams
steel sheeting
tiebacks
A soils report indicates that bentonite is present below the site of a proposed two-story manufacturing building. What type of foundation system should be used?
drilled piers with grade beams
raft foundation
caissons with pile caps
extended spread footings
For a large building being planned with a two-level basement used for meeting rooms, which of these water-related soil problems would be the most important to solve?
uplift pressure on lowest slab
moisture penetration cause by hydro-static pressure
deterioration of foundation insulation
reduced load-carrying capacity of the soil
Which parking configuration is the most difficult for a driver to maneuver within?
90 degrees
60 degrees
45 degrees
30 degrees
A retention pond manages stormwater runoff by:
slowing it and allowing sediments to settle while letting the water seep into the ground
holding the excess until it can discharge at a controlled rate into the storm sewer system
preventing it from contaminating other portions of the site
retaining it until it can seep into the ground
On a site with extensive development of buildings, roads, and parking, which change in drainage would have the most significant negative impact?
decrease in pervious paving
increase in water held on site
increase in the number of drainage grates
increase in the overall runoff coefficient
Several sites are being considered for the construction of a new community college. The most appropriate site would be the one adjacent to:
two major intersecting highways
libraries and shopping
a technology-oriented office campus
a residential neighborhood and public transportation
With regard to the theories of proxemics, which approach to the design of a plaza would probably accommodate the most people while allowing individuals to maintain comfortable personal space distances.
large, flat, open space with trees defining the perimeter
heavily landscaped area with areas of lawn
amphitheater with bench-type seating in raised tiers
space with various levels, benches, and spaces defined by low walls
The recommended minimum width for a sidewalk is ft.
An architect can best discourage criminal activity in a street-level apartment lobby by applying which of the following design strategies?
separating the lobby and the street with a large expanse of glass
changing the paving texture at the property line
clearly marking the entrance with a "Residents Only" sign
adding a bright light over the entrance door
In regard to blast security, the space between a building and the outermost secure perimeter is called the:
blast reduction zone
perimeter defense area
security setback
standoff distance
An architect is developing a site plan for a developed property with an existing building. The building is in good condition and was used for the same purpose as the client's proposed use of the site. Which of the following four strategies would earn the greatest number of points within (LEED) for New Construction rating system
Maintain at least 50 % of the interior nonstructural elements.
Remove the building and recycle and/ or salvage at least 50% of construction and demolition debris.
Maintain at least 95% of the existing walls, floors, and roof.
Reuse materials from the site that amount to 5%, by cost, of the total value of materials on the project.
Storm runoff is best minimized with the use of:
cisterns
pervious paving
riprap
silt fences
An architects is evaluating the attributes of a particular building product as they relate to sustainability: The architect would most likely use a(n)
environmental impact study
life-cycle assessment
impact assessment
matrix comparison chart
A row of trees of moderate density will reduce the wind velocity on the leeward side by about 30-40% up to about:
three times the height of the trees
five times the height of the trees
seven times the height of the trees
nine times the height of the trees
Potential overheating of a medical clinic in a temperate climate could be minimized by:
design an overhang for the west and east sides of the building
planning a building shape to minimize the surface area of south facing walls
having a landscape architect specify deciduous trees near the south elevation
using reflective glass on the west side of the building
According to model codes, the minimum width of an office exist corridor serving an occupant load of 55 is:
36 in
42 in
44 in
48 in
Which of the following would have the greatest impact on the size and configuration of an accessible restroom?
5 ft clear circular turnaround space
maneuvering space on the outside of the entry door to the room
clear space at towel dispensers and full-height mirrors
minimum 36 in access route into and through the room
An office in a non-sprinklered building has an occupant load of 290. In a non-sprinklered building, the IBC requires a minimum exit width of 0.2 in per person based on the occupant load. Which of the following exit door combinations would most minimally meet the exit width required by IBC?
a pair of 30 in entry doors and a 36 in door remotely located
two 36 in doors remotely located
three 32 in doors remotely located
three 36 in doors remotely located from each other
A three-story speculative office building has a footprint of 6724 SF. The floors are equal in size. The building is sited on a 1.5 ac parcel. The floor area ratio is approximately:
O.1:1
0.3:1
0.6:1
1:1
The maximum allowable area of a building is limited by a combination of:
Floor are ratio and construction type
occupancy group and setback requirements
bulk plane limits and floor area ratio
construction type and setback requirements
The maximum allowable floor area of a building is primarily determined by the:
city planning board
international building code (IBC)
life safety code
zoning ordinance
Which person or entity generally has the final approval in determining where exit signs are located in a building?
field inspector
OSHA
city code plan checker
An architect has been hired to prepare a design for remodeling toilet rooms to make them accessible. The architect finds it is impossible to provide adequate clearance on one side of an entrance door. What is the most economical course of action?
Apply to the building department for a hardship exemption because compliance is not readily achievable.
Tell the client that walls should be demolished and the toilet rooms re planned to provide the necessary clearances.
Specify a power-assisted door opener that meets accessibility standard for the non compliant door.
Plan for accessible toilet rooms in another location in the building where all requirements can be adequately met.
For accessible doors, the minimum dimension for a front approach pull side door is inches
The minimum distance between two entry doors in a vestibule is:
60 in
In a large single- tenant building, a LAN system would most commonly serve
building automation
computers
security
telephones
When designing a research laboratory building, how might an architect provide for extensive mechanical system requirements as well as a programmed requirement for flexibility in changing the layout of the laboratories over time?
Use interstitial spaces
Locate mechanical risers on the outside of the building
Distribute mechanical rooms throughout the building
Design a compact, multistory structure
Which type of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system would be the best choice for a large building where a need for simultaneous heating and cooling is expects?
Direct expansion
Variable air volume
Dual duct
Reheat system
Which of the following domestic water heating systems would yield the lowest operating costs for a duplex residential unit?
active closed-loop solar
direct-fired storage tank
ground-source heat pump
tankless instantaneous
Which of these is the most important concern in relation to a private water supply?
fixture pressure
hardness
friction loss
yield
Which heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system would be the most appropriate choice for a hospital?
multizone
high-velocity dual duct
variable air volume
fan coil with supplementary air
A building in a temperate climate will have some areas that require cooling and others that require heating at the same time. To minimize energy use, the best devices to employ are:
energy recovery ventilators
heat pipes
recuperative fuel economizers
water-loop heat pumps
A seven-story office building is to have a variable air volume system. The building will have 105,000 SF of net space and an estimated 126,000 SF of gross area. About how much space should be the minimum area allowed for HVAC systems?
2500 SF
3800 SF
6300 SF
7600 SF
A power distribution system is to be specified for an open office area. Which of the following is the most flexible and economical alternative?
access floor system
underfloor raceway system
cellular metal floor raceways
ceiling raceway system with pole raceways
High voltages are used in commercial buildings because:
conductors and conduit can be smaller
a wide variety of loads can be accommodated
commercial buildings require more power
transformers can step down voltages to what-ever is required
Which would be the best location for a transformer for a large school building?
on the power pole serving the building
in a seperate room near the exterior wall
outside, on a transformer pad close to the main switchgear
in a protective shed where power from the utility company enters the property
The roof of a building generally subject to what type of wind pressure?
direct (positive) pressure
uplift, or suction
drag forces
combination of direct (positive) pressure and suction
Which of the following types of lamps provides the best color rendition of skin tones?
cool-white fluorescent
incandescent
mercury vapor
metal halide
Problems with veiling reflections in a general- purpose workroom could best be reduced by
substituting ambient light for direct light fixtures
repositioning the light fixtures
reducing the brightness of the light fixtures
changing the type of lamps
Why would high-pressure sodium lamps be favored over low-pressure sodium lamps in a storage warehouse?
They are less expensive
They have a longer lamp life
They can operate at higher, more efficient voltages
They have better color-rendering properties
A material supplier states that adding a certain product to a wall assembly in a critical acoustical situation will increase the noise reduction (STC rating) between two spaces by 3 dB. What is the most appropriate response?
Determine the additional cost and then decide whether or not to use the product.
Thank the supplier for stopping by but explain that the architectural firm probably will not be using the product because the amount of noise reduction does not make it worth the effort or cost.
Specify the product as long as it does not affect the design or construction cost by more than 5%
Inquire whether some modification can be made to the product to increase its rating to 6 dB and say that then the architectural firm might consider it.
Which of the following types of elevators is used for high-rise office buildings?
standard hydraulic
high-speed hydraulic
geared traction
gearless traction
For a three-story department store, the most important variable for selecting an elevator would be its
speed
capacity
control method
machine room location
A geared traction elevator would be most appropriate for a(n)
5-story medical office building
16-story office building
4-story department store
8-story apartment building
What is the optimal location for an elevator machine room?
beside the elevator on the lowest level of the building
adjacent to the electrical room
above the hoistway
adjacent to the mechanical room
A client who has recently moved from NY to southern CA has hired an architect to design a new house in the colonial revival style, which is similar to a former home. The architect should recognize that this building configuration request may be influence by
cultural attitudes
status seeking
symbolism
regionalism
In the design of a manufacturing plant and its associated office space, the primary form determinant is most likely
construction schedule
mechanical systems
structure
sustainability
A client wants a museum to be built with two identically sized stories. The museum must have 74,800 SF net assignable area, with a minimum of 15% of the space dedicated to circulation. The architect estimates that planned efficiency ratio to be 85%. The architect should plan for a building footprint of SF of when doing initial site planning.
A building is being planned for the storage of industrial equipment and machinery. What is the most appropriate reinforced concrete slab system for this building?
flat slab on columns
flat slab on columns equipped with shearheads
flat slab on beams on all four sides
pan joist concrete deck system
What is the primary purpose of the voids in a cored slab?
to allow electrical services to be concealed in the slab
to make a more efficient load- carrying member
to make erection easier
to minimize weight
What is the requirement for a door opening in a masonry partition?
bond beam
arch action
weep holes
flashing
Which mortar joint is recommended for exterior use?
concave
trowel struck
weather struck
raked
Where should weep holes be located in a brick wall? (choose the three that apply)
at the lowest course of brick
above the windows
above the shelf angles
below window sills
under copings
every 15ft vertically
A small building is being designed for a site in Minnesota. If it is desired to minimize reliance on mechanical systems, which of the following design strategies should be incorporated? (Choose the three that apply.)
maximize south-facing windows
incorporate high ceilings
design a compact form
use dark colors for the building exterior
minimize interior thermal mass
use evergreen trees on the south side of the building
Certified contractors are required for handling or abatement of which of the following hazardous materials?
asbestos
lead
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
radon
vermiculite
To determine the required fire resistance for an exterior, nonbearing wall, which factors must an architect consider?
construction type
size of openings in the wall
fire resistance rating of wall materials
percentage of opening area to total area
occupancy
distance from property lines
Which of the following have a significant effect on heat gain?
sunlight
humidity
motors and equipment
people
air movement
fluorescent lighting
Air barriers are designed to stop infiltration and exfiltration caused by which of the following? (choose the four that apply)
stack effect
vapor pressure
HVAC fan pressure
wind pressure
temperature differentials
exhaust vents
Electrical operating costs in a single-tenant commercial building can be minimized by using which of the following techniques? (Choose the four that apply)
daylighting
indirect lighting
load control
multiple metering
occupancy sensors
light emitting diode (LED) lamps
Which of the following structures require some complex wind calculations and possibly some wind tunnel testing? (Choose the three that apply)
commercial building with a total height of 50 ft
residential building with a height of 200 ft
office building with a height of 450 ft
building with a height-to-width ratio of 3
building with a height-to-width ratio of 7
extra-long span suspension bridge
The zonal cavity method of calculating average illuminations and the work surface for a given number of luminaires depends on which of the following variables? (Choose the four that apply)
angle of light
dirt accumulation
efficacy of the lamp
lumens per lamp
room size
wall reflectance
Variables that must be considered when designing for day-lighting include which of the following? (Choose the four that apply)
longitude of the site
glass transmittance
height of the head of the glass
height of space above ground level
outdoor surface reflection
room surface reflection
Which of the following would an architect be most concerned about when designing the lighting for an office space with computer workstations and standard desks? (choose the three that apply)
color rendering index
visual comfort probability
task/ surrounds brightness ratio
veiling reflections
reflected glare
lighting uniformity
Which of the following statements is true?
Spalling occurs when water-soluble salts in masonry units or mortar leach out of the brick.
Tuck pointing is used to finish mortar joints during construction of a new brick wall.
Flashing in a masonry wall should be terminated just before the face of the brick for best appearance.
A concealed flashing in a masonry wall with a concrete backup should terminate in a reglet.
For short spans in a relatively small openings in 8in and 12in thick brick walls, the most commonly used steel lintels are:
angles placed back to back
channels or C-shapes
W-shapes used for beams
structural T-shapes
Galvanic action can be avoided by
using neoprene spacers
increasing the thickness of the materials
reducing contact with dripping water
using a third metal spacer
Which of the following statements about steel connections are true? (choose the four that apply)
Bolts are easily installed, inexpensive, and can be visually checked.
One of the advantages of using welded studs is a reduction in the number of holes to be punched.
The overall cost of riveted construction is usually lower than the cost of using bolted connections.
Welding is more practical for moment connections.
Rivets are still fabricated on a limited basis
Welding is less efficient than bolted construction.
Which of the following would help to minimize oil canning? ( choose the three that apply)
Design attachment hardware that allows panels to move in response to expansion and contraction cause by changes in temperature.
Include information in the specifications that require the installer to transport panels vertically rather than horizontally.
Specify a high-gloss painted finish on the panels.
Carefully coordinate the design of the supporting structure to ensure that it is level and plumb.
Design the panels to allow for a slight bend in the metal.
Specify a thicker panel than would be normally required.
Which of the following statements about sawn lumber joists in wood-framed buildings are true? (Choose the four that apply.)
Joists often have a nominal width of 2 in.
Joists often have a nominal depth of 6 in to 28 in.
For heavy loads, joists may have a nominal width of 3 in to 4 in.
Double joists must be provided under partitions parallel to the joists.
Joists are often spaced at 12 in or 16 in on center.
Joists rarely span more than 10 ft.
Fire- cut joists are required in
platform framing
heavy timber framing
concrete walls
masonry walls
Which of the following defects would most affect a wood joist's ability to resist horizontal shear?
Knot
Split
Wane
Warp
Which of the following engineered products would be best to use in place of traditional wood joists for spans from 16 ft to 20 ft?
wood I-joists
glued-laminated members
medium- density fiber board
parallel- chord wood trusses
In order to minimize the space required for wood floor framing, the architect would most likely detail the connections to show the use of
hurricane straps
post caps
saddle hangers
splice plates
The straightest, most uniform grain appearance in board lumber is achieved by specifying
plain sawing
quarter sawing
rift sawing
rotary sawing
In order to get a counter-top or cabinet to fit snugly against a slightly irregular partition, which of the following should be specified or called out on the drawings?
astragal
extended frame
scribe
shoe molding
Many problems associated with exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) can be solved using which of the following design techniques?
Design the wall using the rain screen principle
Use expansion joints at a maximum spacing of 10 ft 0 in
Increase the thickness of the finish coat.
Provide extra flashing at window and door joints.
Which of the following materials provides the highest insulation value (R-value)?
expanded perlite
expanded polystyrene
fiberglass
polyisocyanurate
Heat loss in a building can be minimized by selecting wall materials with high
conductance
enthalpy
permeability
resistance
The greatest degree of protection from cold winter winds can be achieved with
airlocks
earth sheltering
green roofs
landscaping
In wood door frame construction, the function of the shim is to
provide the required space for hardware
prevent sound from leaking through the opening
hide the gap between the frame and partition
provide for adjust-ability in setting the frame plumb
Which of the following types of glass is the strongest?
laminated
annealed
tempered
heat-strengthened
What type of glass would be appropriate for a 10-story building? (choose the four that apply)
heat- strengthened
fire-rated
float
Which of the following flooring types has the highest resilience
asphalt
cork
linoleum
vinyl composition
Which paint type would serve best as an anti-graffiti coating?
acrylic
alkyd
oil
urethane
In order to achieve the most uniform, straight-grain appearance in wood paneling, which of the following should be specified?
plain slicing
rotary slicing
quarter slicing
half-round slicing
Which for the following is the most important consideration in detailing a wood strip floor?
frame-spread rating
expansion space at the perimeter
nailing method
moisture protection from below
Ceramic mosaic tile in a public shower room is best installed over
water-resistant gypsum board
bed of portland cement mortar
concrete block wall coated with waterproofing membrane
rigid cement composition board made for this purpose
A tactile finish should be applied to hardware on a door that leads to a building's
fire stairs
boiler room
restrooms
exterior
When specifying a hardwood floor over a concrete slab on grade, which of the following should the architect also specify?
3/4 in plywood subflooring and 15# building felt
3/4 in tongue-and-groove plywood placed over a layer of mastic
treated wood sleepers on mastic and a layer of polyethylene vapor barrier
15# building felt
Which of the following factors accounts for the highest cost of a lighting system over time?
lamps
luminaires
installation
operation
During design development for a small corporate head-quarters building, the client informs the architect that, due to poor sales in the previous quarter, the budget for the project must be reduced. Which of the following actions should the architect ignore in order to reduce initial construction costs?
reducing the number of pieces in the details
eliminating high maintenance finishes
suggesting changes that would make custom finishes closer to industry standards
reducing the number of different details involved in the project
A company is considering replacing its HVAC system witha new system at a total cost of $55,000. It is expected that the new, more efficent system will save the company $460 per month in utility costs. The simple payback period of their investment will be years.
Which of the following are true about life-cycle costs analysis? (choose the four that apply)
Higher up- front costs often lead to lower operational costs.
Costs presented in the analysis are the only factors that should be considered when making a decision about a material or system.
It is economical to complete a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) if two items have similar installations costs but differing operational costs or projected lifespans.
LCCA evaluates all costs based upon their present value
An LCCA is similar to a life-cycle assessment (LCA)
Salvage fess may be included in an LCCA
An architect is considering general planning concepts for a veterinarian hospital and kennel, both owned by the same company. Which is the best design approach for both?
combine both functions into one structure to allow sharing of common functions
make the hospital two levels to provide more site space for outdoor runs
design two separate buildings that share the same parking area
develop two wings for different functions but share a common entry suite
