Raup PPD Replace
Temperature for hot water for: Commercial kitchens and industrial laundry Shower Hand washing
140 110 105
What are the most important items while designing HVAC systems in relation to human comfort?
Air temperature Relative humidity Mean radiant temperature Air motion Air purity Sound vibration Light
3 important things that keep sound out
Airtight, Massive, Structurally Discontinuous
Reverberation Time
Amount of time at a specific frequency that a sound in an enclosed space takes to decrease 60 decibels in level after the source sound has stopped
Halogen Lights
In the Incandescent family. They burn filament, and usually used for car headlights
The runoff coefficient (C)
Is a the ratio of the amount of runoff to the amount of precipitation received. Areas with low infiltration and high runoff, such as pavements, have high runoff coefficient numbers and permeable areas, such as grass or vegetated areas have lower runoff coefficient numbers. It is important to factor it in for storm management.
Turbidity
The name of visible pollutants that are in roof runoff, rivers and streams and expected to be in harvested rainwater.
Most to least expensive to build a rigid connection
steel, wood, concrete
Liquid Limit
the moisture content at which a soil will flow and not retain its shape
Size of Modular Brick (most common)
2 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 Or 4 x 8 x 8 for three courses with mortar
Egress doors can have a minimum of what width
32" and a maximum of 48"
1 acre
43,560 sqft
Turning in a wheelchair requires how many inches clearance?
60"
What is the typical thermal comfort zone for occupants?
68-78% Air Temperature 20-80 Relative Humidity
In climates with more cooling degree days, do you want a high or low SHGC?
A location with more cooling degree days means the building is in warm/hot climate. You want a lower SHGC so that more solar heat gain will be blocked
Ideas for minimizing site disturbance
A long span system by minimizing the site penetration due to lack of supporting elements. Prefabricated elements that will be manufactured off-site which will significantly reduce on-site construction activity and disturbance of site. A steel or heavy timber frame system which will limit the excavation and site interference.
Commercial kitchens have three potential occupancy types
A-2: if it is associated with a restaurant with seats B: If it is take-out place with no seats F-1 : The code now places a threshold of 2,500 sf for F-1 food-processing establishments and commercial kitchens.
What type of building performs better in potential earthquakes?
According to Newton's Second Law of Motion the inertial force (F) = mass (M) x acceleration (A). The mass is equal the weight of the building and as equation above states the heavier the building the forces are greater on it. Therefore, wood frame houses, tend to perform better in earthquakes compared to rest of the answers because it is the lightest of them all.
Machine Room-less Elevator
Are traction elevators that do not have a dedicated machine room above the elevator shaft. More efficient than geared elevators are less efficient when it comes to energy consumption. Maximum travel distance is 250 ft at about 500 fpm. They are becoming the most popular choice for mid-rise buildings. Regarding initial cost and maintenance cost, they are comparable to geared traction elevators, however their life-cycle cost is much lower than geared traction elevators
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
Average absorption coefficient at the middle frequencies of a material Higher=more absorptance
We want how many cfm/sf of skin from a blower door test?
Barrier: <0.004 Opaque Skin Assembly (everything but glass): <0.04 Whole Building (when completed): <0.04
What are re-entrant corners?
Buildings that have the shape of L, T, H are susceptible to this issue under excessive lateral loads like earthquake. The different wings of the buildings with this shapes create different torsional stress which causes failure. Also the different movement on the wings of the buildings, creates a stress concentration at the most stiff part of the building which is usually tend to be the corner or connection point of the wings.
What species of wood is naturally decay resistant?
Cedar
advantages of central HVAC systems compared to local HVAC systems
Central systems are generally quieter Central systems are more energy efficient Central systems equipment last longer Maintenance of the central systems does not interrupt the daily activities of the users
Cold climate
Compact building form to minimize heat loss (with a little longer in the east-west dimension), insulation, low-u-value windows, air-tightness, plant evergreen trees on the windy side of the building as a buffer, 1/4 of the way up a hill and the north side of a pond are the best sites to build on. Vapor control layer on the inside (warm side) of the insulation
Three main strategies to deal with liquefaction
Compacting site Excavating, existing liquefiable soil and replacing it with stronger soil types Building wells accompanied by infiltration barriers around the foundation to pump out existing ground water level and to prevent new water infiltration.
Types of refrigeration process that produce chilled air or water
Compressive Refrigeration Cycle: In this system the heat is circulated from hot to cold by the help of a refrigerant being condensed or evaporated. To evaporate the refrigerant the heat is received from the space and give to the refrigerant which makes the space cool down and when compressing the gaseous refrigerant the heat is released back. Absorption Refrigeration Cycle: Uses water as the main refrigerant and lithium bromide as the absorber. It is less efficient.
Two common joints in masonry for outdoor use
Concave and Vee
What is the difference between these excavation types: Contiguous bored piles Anchored Soldier Piles Soldier Piles with Lumber Lagging Benched Terraced excavation
Contiguous bored piles: preferred where anchoring to the adjacent property is not possible. In this system augers with hollow centers are screwed in to the ground and later filled with concrete while auger is withdrawn which creates concrete piles to support excavation area. Anchored Soldier Piles: This system requires tie-backs which penetrates to the adjacent property and not preferred in dense urban areas. Soldier Piles with Lumber Lagging also only preferred where adjacent buildings are further away from property line due to the requirement of recessed Bench Terraced excavation is a self supporting excavation method which can not tolerate tight property conditions like this.
Which structural beam below has the deepest beam depth
DLH - 52″ to 72″ depth and can span max 144 feet. Then Single Tee at 120' LH at 96' Double Tee at 60'-80'
What is a Diaphram?
Diaphragm is the horizontal structural element that receives loads from vertical elements and transfers them to the ground. They are part of the structural systems but cannot resist lateral loads on their own
To find the approximate period
Divide the number of floors by 10
Water distribution systems: up feed vs. down-feed
Down-feed: typically used for high rise buildings Up-feed: Buildings that are smaller, static pressure from city main is basically enough to provide water to the fixtures through out the building. Need a pump for taller buildings.
Types of Rebar and when to use them
Epoxy Coated Rebar: When extreme corrosion exist such as a marine structure, epoxy coated steel bars are preferred due their resistance to corrosive environments. Also used in parking garages Steel rebars: are the most typical and most common rebars but cannot resist corrosive environments as long as epoxy-coated steel bars. Glass-fiber reinforced polymer rebars (GFRP): are used when non-ferrous/ non-magnetic, reinforcement required, such as an MRI facility. Stainless steel rebars: are very expensive, they have the highest durability and usually used in buildings like nuclear facilities.
Appearance Grade for Facing Brick
FBS: STANDARD. Most common, some variation in size &chippage FBA: ANOMALY. Even more variation in size & chippage than FBS, but intentionally for a less machine look FBX: XACTING. More dimenstionally uniform & less chippage, higher appearance grade
Riparian Corridors
Filter run-off water before entering the lakes and rivers and protects water quality. Hence they contribute wildlife as well. Prevent erosion onto stream banks Provide storage space for flood water Provide open space and aesthetic
What is Flanking?
Flanking is unintended pathways of sound that penetrates through construction. Important flanking paths may include, plenum spaces, attics, continuous walls and floors, air ducts and pipe penetrations, joist and crawl spaces, and so on.
What type of mortar should be used in the cavity walls where high velocity winds are expected?
For high velocity winds (velocity exceeds 80 miles/hour) Type S mortar should be used. If the wind velocity is lower than this, Type N mortar may also be used. In general Type S mortar is recommended where bond and lateral strengths are more important than compressive strength. Therefore, Type S mortar is usually preferred for load bearing exterior or interior walls and cavity walls.
mechanical systems with minimal penetrations in the roof
For small to mid size buildings, choosing an HVAC system that does not burn fuel in building is the solution to not to have a chimney on the roof top: Heat pump furnace Active solar heating Single-packaged and split-packaged systems Small packaged heating and cooling units Electric heating Wall furnace and direct-vent space heaters Passive solar heating
Lateral loads vs. Gravitational loads
Gravitational loads: the weight of a building acts down on a building. Typically the live loads on building like equipment and people are gravitational loads. Lateral loads: however for a bridge, the live loads, vehicles on the bridge, move horizontally on the bridge which adds lateral stress on the structure on a daily basis. Lateral loads are typically wind or earthquakes
Need GCFI receptacles where?
Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter: Bathrooms Garages Outdoors Crawl Space Kitchen
Gearless Traction Elevator
Have a high initial cost, medium level maintenance costs, but they use energy a little more efficiently compared to geared traction elevators. They are the ONLY choice for high-rise buildings. They travel the fastest, at 2,000 fpm
Hydraulic Elevators
Have a low initial and maintenance cost compared to other elevator types, however their their life-cycle cost is much higher. Used for low rise applications, 2-8 stories and travel at around 200 fpm. The environmental risk of liquid leaking and their high energy use are the main reasons they are not used as often anymore.
Geared Traction Elevator
Have medium level initial cost, maintenance cost and life-cycle cost. Can only go up to about 250 ft. Speed is about 500 fpm.
What HVAC system has the capacity to reverse the refrigeration cycle?
Heat pumps. Heat pumps have the capacity to reverse refrigeration cycle, which gives the same system both heating and cooling feature.
Electric light sources (lamps) can be grouped in 3 broad categories
Heating filament - Incandescent Solid-state lighting - LED Gaseous discharge - Fluorescent
What is a plastic limit?
How much water a soil can absorb before starting to expand
Hydraulic Elevators
Hydraulic elevators, in general, are better solution for low to mid rise buildings. They don't require a penthouse like traction elevators which are run by motor. Instead of motor, there is plunger in hydraulic elevators. They are also slower and have lower initial cost compared to traction elevators but they are costly to operate and they can travel around only maximum 65 feet high.
Why is a hydraulic elevator advantageous?
Hydraulic elevators, in general, are better solution for low to mid rise buildings. They don't require a penthouse like traction elevators which are run by motor. Instead of motor, there is plunger. They are also slower and has lower initial cost compared to traction elevators but they are costly to operate and they can travel around only maximum 65 feet high.
Convection
In convection air molecules transfer heat to our body by contacting us. Convection only occurs in gasses and liquids.
Egress shall not pass through:
Kitchens, storage rooms or closets.
LED
LEDs are the most sustainable light option. They have the highest efficacy, one of the longest long lamp life in market and their color rendering is great as well.
Shortest & Longest Lamp Life: HPS LPS Fluorescent Incandescent Metal Halide
Lamp life per lamp types: High Pressure Sodium (HPS) (16,000H to 24,000H) > Metal Halide (15,000H - 20,000H) > Low Pressure Sodium (LPS (12,000H to 18,000H) > Fluorescent (7,000H to 15,0000H) > Incandescent (1,000H)
Metal Halide Lamps
Many advantages like long lamp life, good color rendering and high efficacy and they are great for outdoor application in cold weather. They are also used in schools, warehouses, stores and offices. They have a bit warm up time in the beginning so they don't deliver light as fast as fluorescent lights.
Altitude of the Sun at Solstices & Equinox
Maximum (June 21), Summer Solstice: = 90º − Latitude + 23.5º = max Equinox (Mar/Sept 21) = 90º − Latitude − 0º = E Minimum (Dec 21), Winter Solstice = 90º − Latitude − 23.5º = min
Transmission Loss (TL)
Measured at every octave band to measure the robustness of a material or assembly. Keeping sound out from one side to another. Higher=better
What does it mean for metal to be ductile?
Metal is ductile, so it can bend further without breaking. Brittle means it shatters easily
High Albedo
More reflective, like a white roof
Incandescent Lights
No longer used in general lighting, but they have the highest Color Rendering Index (CRI). They are preferred as accent lighting in a retail display or a painting display at a museum. Their initial cost is low but operational cost is very high
P-Delta effect
P-Delta effect is a potential problem for tall and slender columns under both gravitational and lateral loads
What are pole foundations?
Pole foundations are created by elevating timber structures above ground therefore they are preferred where buildings sit on steep slopes or located in areas subject to periodic flooding.
Smoke Detectors
Projected Beam Photoelectric Smoke Detector are the best smoke detection devices for places with high ceilings. Their performance can be obstructed by pendant light fixtures and exposed ceiling elements. Laser Beam Photoelectric Detector: depends on a very high sensitive laser technology, therefore are best applied in clean environments. It is expected that the possibly high ceiling of an auditorium to collect dust and cleaning can not be done on regular basis. Ionization Smoke Detectors: mostly preferred for spaces less than 15 feet or less and typically used in offices and residential projects. Video Smoke Detection: is a system that based in computer analysis of CCTV footage to detect fires. Usually used in outdoors, historical buildings , roads and tunnels.
Bilateral Lighting
Providing windows on both walls of a space
One way systems vs. two way systems for square or rectangular geometries
Rectangle = one-way Square = two-way
4 Renovation Terms
Repairs: just maintaining Level 1: removing or replacing something for the same use Level2: reconfiguring a space, eliminating a door/window, or making something new Level 3: removing more than 50% of the buildings interior
Different Grades of Brick Structurally
SW Brick: SNOW BRICK. Used for underground applications, acceptable for any climate, acceptable underground, toughest brick MW Brick: MIAMI BRICK. Next toughest, weather resistant, for exterior use but only in warm (negligible) areas NW Brick: NTERIOR BRICK. Only for interior use
Efflorescence
Salt comes out if there are no weep holes
Ways to resist lateral forces
Shear Wall System: Out of all three, shear walls are the stiffest and heaviest option. They receive lateral loads like earthquake or wind and transfer it to the horizontal elements, aka: diaphragm, aka: slab. Braced Frame System: Braces transfer lateral loads to diaphragm. They are usually made of steel. Moment (Rigid) Frame System: Out of all three, the most ductile option is moment frames. This system is simply a frame system combined of beams and columns that are connected to each other rigidly. Therefore they are also called as rigid frame. They can be made of reinforced concrete, steel or wood but typically reinforced concrete is the most common solution.
Sound Transmission Class (STC)
Similar to transmission loss, but it's a single number rating across all frequencies. Higher the number the more robust an assembly
Noise Criteria (NC)
Single rating criteria to describe background noise For classrooms, less than 35
Are smaller buildings or larger buildings more likely to be a skin-loaded building?
Small buildings are skin or envelop loaded, their cooling need or heating need is mostly dictated by climate they are in however, internal-load buildings tend to be larger and inner parts of the building usually have no contact to the climate around them. Larger buildings also tend to have more equipment, people and lighting which dictates heating or cooling needs.
Typical Electrical power voltages supplied in the US
Small scale and residential projects: 120/240 volt single-phase 3-wire Most commercial projects: 120/208 volt 3-phase 4-wire Large-scale projects: 277/480 volt 3-phase 4-wire
How is steel a passive fire protection strategy?
Steel is considered non-combustible structural material by IBC. So fire-proofing is achieved by the material itself
Best finishes for graffiti resistance
Surface finishes that are urethane based
Construction Types
TYPE I-A - Fire Resistive Non-combustible - high-rise buildings TYPE I-B - Fire Resistive Non-Combustible - mid-rise office + Group R. TYPE II-A - Protected Non-Combustible - main vertical structural elements are masonry or concrete TYPE II-B - Unprotected Non-Combustible - main structural elements are unprotected steel. TYPE III-A - Protected Combustible - masonry/concrete walls + combustible roof/floors TYPE III-B - Unprotected Combustible - same as type III-A. combustible roof/floors are non-protected TYPE IV - Heavy Timber. TYPE V-A--Protected Wood Frame. TYPE V-B--Unprotected Wood Frame
Structural systems that reduce floor thickness
To reduce the floor thickness, architect should prefer a structural system that doesn't have joists, or ribs in slab. Typically site cast and not post-tensioned slabs are thicker than, precast, prestressed or site-cast post tensioned slabs.
Two-way flat slab Two way flat plate Two way slab Waffle Slab
Two-way flat slabs: are mostly preferred and are good choices for heavy loads such as parking garages. Their span range can be between 20-40 ft. One-way slabs (especially with post tensioning) is also another good choice for parking garages and other buildings where long span in one direction is needed. Their span range can be between 10-20 ft. Two way flat plate: Is ideal for moderate spans and loads. It is a very economical solution for hotels, apartments, dormitories and such. Two way slab: The formwork is costly but can tolerate higher spans. It is not very appealing unless heavy concentrated loads exist. Waffle slab: Is good at carrying heavy loads and can tolerate long spans however form work is very costly and usually incorporated in a project for it is visual effect. Typically not preferred for parking garages.
Types of Cement used in Mortar
Type 1: normal cement Type 2: moderate sulfate resistance Type 3: high early strength
List Mortar Types from highest to lowest strength
Type M: highest strength, used below grade, high loads both lateral and compressive, can be used in climates with severe frost Type S: exterior reinforced masonry, exterior load-bearing masonry, veneers subject to seismic or high wind loads Type N: general purpose mortar, balance of workability&strength, non-load bearing veneers&chimneys, interior load bearing walls Type O: low-strength, for interior non-load bearing ex. Interior/decorative chimney Type K: lowest strength&barely every used
Fluorescent Lamp
Type of discharge lamp. low lamp cost, good color rendering and long lamp light Efficacy is not as high as Metal Halide (70 as compared to 80)
Hot-humid climate
Use large openings for breezes, long east-west dimension, orientation to breezes, tall ceilings, ceiling fans, sprawling building form, the top of a hill and the south of a pond are the best locations to build. Vapor control layer on the outside (warm side) of insulation
Temperate climate
Use long east-west dimension, insulation, south-facing windows, buffers for winter winds, minimize north face of the building and maximize south face of the building, plant deciduous trees on the south side of the building. 3/4 of the way up a hill is the best location to build.
Hot-arid climate
Use thermal mass, shade, small windows, thick walls, water features, courtyards, low-e windows, the bottom of a valley and the south of a pond are the best locations to build
the cost of open web steel joists depend on:
Weight of the joist: if the only consideration is cost, weight should be considered carefully Standardization: the manufacturing of standard design will bring the cost down
Damping
absorbing the vibrations, typically from earthquakes. A heavy concrete structure will provide more damping than a light steel frame. For typical structures, engineers generally use a value of 5 % critical.
Coupled shear wall effect
causes X cracking damages
Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)
measured in Kelvin (K). A warm (yellow) light typically has a Kelvin degree around 2000 K and more white to neutral lights has a Kelvin degree of 4000 K and above.
What structural system should we not use if we want to structurally modify a building in the future
one way slab structures, either site cast or precast are great choices for the flexibility of structural modification that client is looking for unless the system is post-tensioned. Besides concrete; any wood + masonry system or structural steel framing system are also good for structural modifications.
