CONSTRUCTION | Building Technology | 18 Questions (EASY)

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

(18 Questions, Difficulty Level: EASY)

by Raison John J. Bassig

Q#1: A lengthwise separation of wood across the annual rings, caused by uneven or rapid shrinkage during the seasoning process.

a. Check
b. Wane
c. Shake
d. Pitch Pocket

Note that:

Checks = ACROSS the grain
Shakes = ALONG the grain

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Check.

Q#2: An opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.
a. Scupper
b. Shoe
c. Arris gutter
d. Lear board

Shoe:
"The base of a downspout, curved outward to direct the flow away from the wall."

Arris gutter:
"A gutter having a V-shaped section, fixed to the eaves of a building."

Lear board:
"A board laid next to the gutter on a sloping roof to receive the turned-up edge of the metal lining. Also called layer board."

Scupper:
"An opening in the side of the building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater."

(Page 209, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D.K. Ching)

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Scupper.

Q#3: A hand saw which has a stiffening rib on the edge oppposite the cutting edge, allowing for better control and more precise cutting than any other types of saw. The teeth's cutting edges are usually closely spaced.
a. Back Saw
b. Hack Saw
c. Compass Saw
d. Crosscut Saw

Note that:

Back Saw = Stiffening rib on the opposite edge of the cutting side
Hack Saw = C-shaped frame holding disposable blade in tension

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Back Saw.

Q#4: Identify this type of truss.

a. Pratt Truss
b. Fink Truss
c. Howe Truss
d. Warren Truss

Therefore, the correct answer is b. Fink Truss.

Q#5: Given the following PVC pipe fittings, identify which is the coupling.

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D

From the illustration above,

A = Male adapter
B = Coupling (Straight Coupling)
C = Coupling Reducer
D = Femal adapter

Therefore, the correct answer is b. B.

Q#6: Heavy construction equipment consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-part articulated arm.
a. Backhoe
b. Trencher
c. Bulldozer
d. Tractor

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Backhoe.

Q#7: The Filipino construction term "kantero" means what?
a. Mason
b. Welder
c. Laborer
d. Timekeeper

Most Filipino vernacular construction terms were derived from Spanish words:

Welder = Soldador (from the Spanish, soldador), Taga-hinang

Laborer = Piyon (from the Spanish, peon), Manggagawa

Timekeeper = Kronometrahisto (from the Spanish, cronometrador), Tagapag-tala ng oras

Mason = Kantero (from the Spanish, cantero), Masón

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Mason.

Q#8: A concentric frame in which braces located either above or below a beam is connected to a single point within the clear beam span.
a. V-Braced Frame
b. K-Braced Frame
c. Chevron
d. Y-Braced Frame

As per National Structural Code of the Philippines (2015) - Chapter 5, Definitions:

Therefore, the correct answer is a. V-Braced Frame.

Q#9: Irregular stones made with roughly squared blocks leveled 12" up to 18" thick layers.
a. Broken Ashlar
b. Course Ashlar
c. Rubble Stones
d. Course Rubble

Note that:

Ashlar = Smoother and Almost Square-Cut Stones
Rubble = More Irregular Shaped Stones

(Simplified Methods of Building Construction by Max Fajardo)

Therefore, the correct answer is d. Course Rubble.

Q#10: A movable shelter, supported entirely from an exterior wall of a building and of a type which can be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building.
a. Marquee
b. Canopy
c. Awning
d. Balcony

This is a direct and verbatim definition in the Glossary of our National Building Code of the Philippines (PD1096) and its 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Take note of the two definitions of a "Balcony" in PD1096.

MARQUEE:
(Same definition as in Canopy.)
(Glossary, 2004 IRR of PD1096)

CANOPY (or Marquee):
"A permanent roofed structure above a door attached to and supported by the building and projecting over a wall or sidewalk."
(Glossary, 2004 IRR of PD1096)

AWNING:
"A movable shelter supported entirely from an exterior wall of a building and of a type which can be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building."
(Annex A of PD1096, and Glossary of the 2004 IRR of PD1096)

BALCONY:
"A portion of the seating space of an assembly room, the lowest part of which is raised 1.20 meters or more above the level of the main floor."
(Annex A, of PD1096)

BALCONY EXTERIOR EXIT:
"A landing or porch projecting from the wall of a building, and which serves as a required means of egress. The long size shall be at least fifty percent open, and the open area above the guardrail shall be so distributed as to prevent the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases."
(Annex A, of PD1096)

Therefore, the correct answer is c. Awning.

Q#11: Identify this hand tool used in construction:

a. Scratch Awl
b. Spackle Knife
c. Chisel
d. Planer

Chisels are hit by a hammer. Its handles are usually solid wood and/or metal. Since the photo in my question shows a plastic or seemingly softer handle material, it is NOT a chisel.

My question above pertains to a Spackle Knife (which can be used for puttying, hence, it is sometimes referred to as a Putty Knife). However, the normal putty knife has a blade width that is significantly narrower than the Spackle Knife. Since spackle knives have wider blades, they are mostly used for scraping (hence, it is more often referred to as a Scraper).

Therefore, the correct answer is b. Spackle Knife (or Scraper).

Q#12: A metal plate or box which is set in a door jamb and is placed and recessed to receive the bolt or latch of a lock fixed on the door.
a. Hasp
b. Escutcheon
c. Strike
d. Lockset

Therefore, the correct answer is c. Strike.

Q#13: A brick is given a classification or name based on how it is laid and how the exposed face is oriented relative to the face of the finished wall or structure. Identify the name given for a brick laid on the long narrow side with the broad face of the brick exposed (see BM.91.01).

a. Sailor
b. Stretcher
c. Shiner
d. Soldier

Names of the brick orientations:

BM.91.01 --> Shiner
BM.91.02 --> Header
BM.91.03 --> Sailor
BM.91.04 --> Stretcher
BM.91.05 --> Rowlock
BM.91.06 --> Soldier

Therefore, the correct answer is c. Shiner.

Q#14: For frameless cabinets, what type of concealed hinges will you specify for cabinet doors located in the middle of a row of cabinets?
a. Full Inset Hinges
b. Half Inset Hinges
c. Half Overlay Hinges
d. Full Overlay Hinges

The overlap of the cabinet door located in the middle of a row of cabinets should be just a little less than half of the cabinet's siding/partition - since there is still another door to be overlapped adjacent to the considered cabinet door. Hence, a half overlay hinge should be used.

For cabinet doors located at the extreme ends (i.e., no other cabinet doors overlapping on the same siding/partition the end cabinet door is hinged), full overlay hinges can be used.

If one uses inset hinges, the siding/partition will become visible, making the partitions the "frame" of the cabinet door.

Since my question pertains to frameless cabinets, the inset concealed hinges can never be specified.

Here is an illustration of the hinge detail installation:

Therefore, the correct answer is c. Half Overlay Hinges.

Q#15: What is the nominal diameter of a #6 Steel Reinforcing Bar?
a. 10mm
b. 12mm
c. 16mm
d. 20mm

In Steel Rebars, the designated # is equal to the numerator of the diameter of a fraction of an eight inch.

For example:

#3 Rebar has a diameter of 3 / 8 "
#4 Rebar has a diameter of 4 / 8 " or simplifying, 1 / 2 "
#5 Rebar has a diameter of 5 / 8 "
#6 Rebar has a diameter of 6 / 8 " or simplifying, 3 / 4 "
and so forth...

So, to get the diameter in millimeters of a certain rebar #, just divide that # by 8" then multiply by 25.4mm/1".

For example:

#3 Rebar = 3/8" x 25.4mm = 9.5mm (or a nominal dia. of 10mm)
#4 Rebar = 1/2" x 25.4mm = 12.7mm (or a nominal dia. of 12mm)
#5 Rebar = 5/8" x 25.4mm = 15.8mm (or a nominal dia. of 16mm)
#6 Rebar = 3/4" x 25.4mm = 19mm (or a nominal dia. of 20mm)
and so forth...

Therefore, the correct answer is d. 20mm.

Q#16: A basecoat applied to reduce the absorption of subsequent coats of paint or varnish, or to prevent bleeding through the finish coat.
a. Sealer
b. Glaze Coat
c. Primer
d. Thinner

Primer is used to provide ADHESION to the base material so that the next coats of paint (topcoats) on top of the primer will not peel off, crack, or flake easily. It also provides color uniformity and prevents discoloration of the topcoat. Primers usually contain pigments (typically white, but also available in other colors).

Sealer is used, as my question above states, REDUCES ABSORPTION (or "seals") the base material from soaking the succeeding coats (especially on wood and concrete surfaces, because they are porous). Usually, sealers are transparent (but some sealers are available that also act as a primer).

Since in my question, VARNISH is to be applied (a clear/transparent protective finish), then, sealers should be used instead of primers. One primary purpose of varnishing wood is to highlight/emphasize the natural wood grains. If you use primer on wood, the grains will not be seen as the primer is opaque and will totally cover them.

Therefore, the correct answer is a. Sealer.

Q#17: Which among the following is not a brand or supplier of piping materials in the Philippines?
a. KOTEN
b. EMERALD
c. CROWN
d. ATLANTA

EMERALD is known for their PVC products, which includes PVC pipes and PVC doors. They also sell vinyl flooring.

CROWN is also known for their PVC products, particulary for plumbing/pipes but they also sell PVC roofing.

ATLANTA is another brand well-known for their diversified PVC products, which includes pipes, trims, moldings, concrete cover, doors, windows, flooring, etc. They also sell other piping materials such as PPR and HDPE.

KOTEN is known for their electrical products such as panel boards and circuit breakers.

Therefore, the correct answer is a. KOTEN.

Q#18: A U-shaped fastener secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the ends of the two arms.
a. U-bolt
b. Turnbuckle
c. Molly
d. Clevis

U-bolt:
"A metal rod bent in the shape of a U and threaded at each end."

Turnbuckle:
"A metal link or sleeve internally threaded at each end, used for coupling and tightening two parts, as the threaded ends of two rods or stays."

Molly:
"Trademark for a brand of expansion bolt having a split, sleevelike sheath threaded so that turning the bolt draws the ends of the sheath together and spreads the sides to engage a hole drilled in masonry or the inner surface of a hollow wall."

Clevis:
"A U-shaped fastener secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the ends of the two arms."

(Page 84, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D.K. Ching)

Therefore, the correct answer is d. Clevis.