Construction Technology - Level 1

Question 1

What types of soil are you aware of? And what are their properties?

Answer 1

Clay - fine particles, retains water, shrinks and expands so poor for construciton.

Silt - poor drainage, shrinks and expands so not good for foundations.

Sand - good for drainage and therefore foundations.

Loam - mix of sand, silt and clay. Retains mositure well, whilst also being good for drainage, high PH. Good for foundations.

Question 1

What soil tests are you aware of? And what do they meausre?

Answer 1

Plate Bearing Test - measures differential settlement & bearing capacity of the soil.

Shear Vane Test - measures shear strength of cohesive soils using a rod with vanes to measure the torque.

• Shear Strength: stress a material can take before it reaches failure,
  measured in KiloNewtons.
• Torque: rotationay force.

Standard Penetration Test - sampling tube driven into the ground at the bottom of a borehole by force of a 63.5Kg hammer, measures the density of the ground which impacts soils water holding capacity.

PH Test - acidity of the soil.

Question 2

What impact does the soil PH have on foundations?

Answer 2

Acidic Soils: Corrosion of concrete and steel.

Alkaline Soils: led to the formation of expansive clays which swell and shrink causing movement in foundations.

Question 3

What are the 8 GRIP Stages?

Answer 3

1 - Output Definition
2 - Project Feasability
3 - Option Selection
4 - Single Option Development
5 - Detailed Design
6 - Construction, Testing and Commissioning
7 - Scheme Handback
8 - Project Close Out

Question 4

What are the 8 RIBA Stages?

Answer 4

0 - Strategic Definition
1 - Preperation and Briefing
2 - Concept Design
3 - Spaitial Co-ordination
4 - Technical Design
5 - Manufacturing and Construction
6 - Handover
7 - Use

Question 5

What is the purpose of RIBA/GRIP?

Answer 5

It is a project management framework, spliting project stages into clear steps and activities.

Question 6

List some key rail components?

Answer 6

Sand
Geotechnical Membrane
Ballast
Sleepers
Rails
Mast with cantilevers
Overhead Wires

Question 7

What are rail sleepers made from?

Answer 7

Most common sleeper materials are:

• Timber
• Concrete
• Steel

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of timber sleepers?

Answer 8

Advantages:

• Material readily available
• Sustainable
• Realtively low cost

Disadvantages:

• High maintenance cost
• Short life expectancy, upto 20 years depending on conditons
• Subject to decay if not properly treated

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete sleepers?

Answer 9

Advantages:

• Long life expectancy, 40-60 years.
• Strong stability.
• Not subject to decay.

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• No scrap value.
• Extremely heavy and difficullt to lay

Question 10

What is the purpose of ballast

Answer 10

• Helps with drainage
• Keeps vegetation down
• Supports the track and sleepers

Question 11

What is the function of the geotechnical membrane?

Answer 11

• Weed prevention
• Prevents the rise of moisture

Question 12

What are UPS’s and why are they required?

Answer 12

• Uniterupted Power Supply
• Large generator powered off batteries
• Maintains electrical supply to safety critical signaling

Question 13

Can you name some new industry technologies?

Answer 13

• Bi-mode Electrical Trains - electric and battery powered.
• New forms of clamp for supporting railway overhead lines.
• New form of cable troughing that is light weight and more
  sustainable.
• New in cab signalling for trains.

Question 14

How do you keep up to date with the industries emerging technology?

Answer 14

• RICS Modus Articles - reduction of 65% in allotments & Inspiring future professionals , UK requires 244,000 qualified apprentices to plug the gap.
• Internal AtkinsRealis “lunch n learns” - Self-propelled modular transporter.
• Rail Engineer’s website and publications - bi-mode trains.

Question 15

What are the advantages of bored piles?

Answer 15

May not require a piling cap.

Minimal noise and vibrations.

Increased bearing capacity compared to driven piles.

Able to penetrate rocks and boulders.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of bored piles?

Answer 16

Disposal of soil required.

Bad weather conditons and ground water may make drilling and pouring of concrete difficult.

Question 17

What are the advantages of driven piles?

Answer 17

No spoil to be removed from site.

Speed of installation.

Installation not affected by weather conditions.

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of driven piles?

Answer 18

Noisy.

Not suitable for rock strata.

Question 19

What are the different components for drainage?

Answer 19

Drainage Channels.

Culverts.

Pumps.