T-Levels Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. What is the difference between a 'lump sum' contract and a 'remeasurement' contract?

   A lump sum (fixed price) contract sets an agreed total price for defined works; a remeasurement contract pays based on the actual quantities of work carried out, measured against agreed rates.

2. What is a 'cost plan' and at what stage is an 'elemental cost plan' typically used?

   A cost plan is a structured estimate that allocates the project budget across elements to control cost as design develops; an elemental cost plan is used during the design stages (after concept) to break the budget down by building element.

3. Differentiate between 'preliminaries', 'measured works' and 'provisional sums' in an estimate.

   Preliminaries are site-wide costs not tied to a specific item (e.g. site set-up, management, plant); measured works are quantified items of construction work; provisional sums are allowances for work not yet fully defined at tender.

4. What does a Gantt chart show in construction programming?

   A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart showing each activity's start, duration and finish against a time scale, illustrating sequence and overlap of tasks across the programme.

5. In critical path analysis, what is the 'critical path'?

   The longest sequence of dependent activities through a network that determines the shortest possible project duration; any delay to a critical activity delays the whole project (zero float).

6. Define 'float' (slack) in a project network and give its formula.

   Float is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project. Total float $= \text{Latest Finish} - \text{Earliest Finish}$ (equivalently $\text{LS} - \text{ES}$).

7. What is 'value engineering' (value management)?

   A systematic review of a design or process to achieve the required function at the lowest whole-life cost without sacrificing quality, performance or safety — maximising value, not just cutting cost.

8. Give the basic qualitative risk formula used in construction risk assessment.

   $\text{Risk} = \text{Likelihood} \times \text{Consequence (severity)}$ — used to rank and prioritise risks for mitigation.

9. Name the four common risk responses in project risk management.

   Avoid (eliminate the risk), reduce/mitigate (lessen likelihood or impact), transfer (e.g. insurance or to another party), and accept/retain (tolerate the risk).

10. What is a 'site appraisal' and name three factors it assesses.

    A site appraisal is a systematic evaluation of a site's suitability for development. Factors include: ground/soil conditions, topography and levels, access and services, contamination, drainage, and surrounding context/constraints.

11. What is the purpose of a 'desk study' before a site investigation?

    To gather existing information about a site (historical maps, geological records, previous uses, services, flood risk) to identify likely constraints and hazards and to plan the physical site investigation efficiently.

12. In levelling, state how a reduced level is found using the height of collimation method.

    $\text{Reduced Level} = \text{Height of Collimation} - \text{Staff Reading}$, where Height of Collimation = known RL of benchmark + backsight reading.

13. Define a 'benchmark' and a 'temporary benchmark (TBM)' in surveying.

    A benchmark is a fixed point of known reduced level (height above Ordnance Datum); a TBM is a stable reference point set up on or near a site with a value transferred from a benchmark, used as a local height datum.

14. What is the difference between a 'backsight' and a 'foresight' in levelling?

    A backsight is the first staff reading taken on a point of known level (looking back to the datum); a foresight is the last reading on a point before moving the instrument (the point whose level is being determined).

15. What is a design 'concept' (proposal) and what should it communicate to a client?

    A concept is an early design idea expressing the overall form, layout and character of a scheme; it should communicate how the brief, site constraints, function and aesthetic intentions are addressed, usually via sketches, plans and visuals.

16. In building measurement, what is a 'bill of quantities' (BoQ)?

    A document that lists and describes the measured quantities of materials, labour and works required for a project, against which contractors price to tender; it provides a basis for comparison and payment.

17. Calculate the volume of concrete for a strip foundation 0.6 m wide, 0.3 m deep and 20 m long.

    $V = 0.6 \times 0.3 \times 20 = 3.6\ \mathrm{m^{3}}$.

18. In the UK, which standard governs the rules for measuring building works for bills of quantities?

    The New Rules of Measurement (NRM), published by RICS — NRM1 for order of cost estimating/cost planning and NRM2 for detailed measurement for works procurement.

19. Name three documents typically included in a set of technical construction documentation.

    General arrangement and detail drawings, specifications, schedules (e.g. door/window/finishes), and the bill of quantities — supported by structural calculations where relevant.

20. In civil engineering, what is the difference between a 'cutting' and an 'embankment'?

    A cutting is formed by excavating ground to lower the level for a route to pass through high ground; an embankment is built up with fill material to raise a route above the surrounding (low) ground.

21. What is a 'mass-haul diagram' used for in civil works?

    It plots cumulative cut-and-fill volumes along a route's chainage to balance earthworks, optimise the movement of material, and minimise the haul distance and need for import/export of soil.

22. Compare 'in-situ' concrete and 'precast' concrete construction.

    In-situ concrete is cast in its final position on site using formwork; precast concrete is manufactured off-site in controlled conditions and transported for installation, giving faster erection and consistent quality but requiring lifting plant.

23. For a simply supported beam of span $L$ carrying a central point load $W$, state the maximum bending moment.

    $M_{max} = \frac{WL}{4}$, occurring at mid-span.

24. For a simply supported beam of span $L$ with a uniformly distributed load $w$ per unit length, state the maximum bending moment and maximum shear force.

    Maximum bending moment $M_{max} = \frac{wL^{2}}{8}$ at mid-span; maximum shear force $V_{max} = \frac{wL}{2}$ at the supports.

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