ARCH 3260; Building Matters/Exam 1

Wood I-joists enjoy all these advantages over conventional dimensional lumber when used as floor or roof joists except: (A) they use wood more efficiently than conventional dimensional lumber. (B) they are more fire resistant than conventional dimensional lumber. (C) they can span farther between supports than conventional lumber. (D) they don't have the problems of crooks, bows, or twisting that conventional lumber might have. (E) they have greater dimensional stability than conventional dimensional lumber.

(B) they are more fire resistant than conventional dimensional lumber.

What are the actual dimensions of a nominal 2 x 8? (A) 2" x 8" (B) 1-1/4" x 8-1/4" (C) 1-1/2" x 7-1/4" (D) 1-1/2" x 7-1/2"

(C) 1 1/2 x 7 1/4

What are the actual dimensions of a nominal 2 x 4? (A) 2" x 4" (B) 1-1/4" x 4-1/4" (C) 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" (D) 1-3/4" x 3-3/4"

(C) 1-1/2" x 3-1/2"

On a 50,000-square-foot site with a FAR of 2, how many stories will a maximum-sized building be if half the site is set aside for parking? (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5

(C) 4

Foundation design in northern climates can require footings to be as deep as 5 feet [1 500 mm] below grade for which of the following reasons? (A) Protect against snow drifts (B) Rest on undisturbed soil (C) Be below frost level (D) Resist earthquakes

(C) Be below frost level

President Trump recently issued a tariff on which imported materials? (A) Wood and Concrete (B) Plastics and Glass (C) Steel and Aluminum (D) Petroleum and Oil (E) Beef and Chicken

(C) Steel and Aluminum

On a drawing, a building element is referred to as "W10 x 33." This element could be a: (A) footing. (B) building separation joint. (C) beam. (D) mullion in a glass and aluminum curtain wall. (E) two-way slab.

(C) beam.

In the accompanying drawing, identify the rafter. (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) A and C are both rafters. (E) This image does not show any rafters.

(A) A

Hardwoods come from coniferous trees. (A) True (B) False

(B) False

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is an excellent choice for exterior applications. (A) True (B) False

(B) False

Which of the following aspects of a building is controlled by a municipality's zoning ordinance? Check the four that apply. (A) Density of development (B) Project costs (C) Flood impact (D) Land usage (E) Life safety requirements (F) Parking requirements

(A) Density of development (C) Flood impact (D) Land usage (F) Parking requirements

Nails can be fabricated or finished to offer corrosion resistance. Which finish offers the best long-term resistance to corrosion? (A) Hot-dipped galvanized (B) Bright (C) Electro-galvanized (D) All of the above offer the same quality of corrosion resistance.

(A) Hot-dipped galvanized

What is the main difference between balloon and platform framing? (A) In balloon framing, studs extend from the foundation to the rafters. B Platform framing requires added fireblocking. C Platform framing is used only for single-story houses. D Balloon framing uses only 8ʹ long studs. E Attic framing is vastly different

(A) In balloon framing, studs extend from the foundation to the rafters.

Sustainably designed architecture requires attention to which of the following building elements? Choose all that apply. (A) Solar shading devices (B) Urban heat island effect (C) Increased Parking (D) Fenestration and glazing

(A) Solar shading devices (B) Urban heat island effect (D) Fenestration and glazing

The purposes of fire-resistance requirements in the building code include which of the following? Check all that apply. (A) To permit safe evacuation of the occupants (B) To prevent fire damage to the building (C) To reduce the generation of toxic smoke (D) To prevent structural failure for a specified period of time

(A) To permit safe evacuation of the occupants (D) To prevent structural failure for a specified period of time

End nailing is stronger than face nailing or toe nailing (A) True (B) False

(A) True

Softwoods come from coniferous trees. (A) True (B) False

(A) True

Timber frame structures have their own IBC code classification. (A) True (B) False

(A) True

Which of these species is usually used where decay resistance is crucial? (A) Western red cedar (B) Hemlock (C) Spruce (D) Red oak (E) Pine

(A) Western red cedar

If the loads of a proposed structure are high relative to the bearing capacity of the soil, one would likely provide (A) a mat footing. (B) continuous wall footings. (C) combined footings (D) shallow spread footings.

(A) a mat footing.

Compared to conventional spread footings, pile foundations (check all that apply) (A) are more costly. (B) are more permanent. (C) employ a wider range of materials. (D) support greater building loads. (E) can be constructed more quickly.

(A) are more costly. (C) employ a wider range of materials.

Oriented strand board is often used: (A) as wall sheathing. (B) in beams in wood light frame construction. (C) for countertops in newer, expensive homes. (D) at tub and shower enclosures due to its unparalleled moisture resistance. (E) in foundation walls.

(A) as wall sheathing.

Zoning ordinances normally regulate all of the following EXCEPT (A) Land use (B) Emergency exits (C) Building size (D) Population density

(B) Emergency exits

Most foundation failures are attributed to excessive uniform settlement. (A) True (B) False

(B) False

Which of these materials is suitable for building foundations? (A) Peat (B) Gravel (C) Topsoil (D) Organic Soils

(B) Gravel

Which of the following is not true for plainsawed lumber? (A) It is commonly used for framing. (B) It is commonly used for finish flooring, interior trim, and furniture. (C) It produces maximum yield and therefore greatest economy. (D) Annual rings may run at any angle to the face of the sawn lumber. (E) It is susceptible to distortion during seasoning.

(B) It is commonly used for finish flooring, interior trim, and furniture.

Which of these is the highest structural lumber grade? (A) No. 3 (B) No. 1 (C) Stud (D) Utility (E) Dense select structural

(B) No. 1

Joist hangers, rafter anchors, post caps, beam hangers, and framing anchors are often used to connect framing members in wood light frame construction. What material are they usually made of? (A) Hot rolled steel (B) Sheet metal (light gauge steel) (C) Aluminum (D) Cast iron (E) Heavy-duty plastic

(B) Sheet metal (light gauge steel)

The principal purpose of using granular fill beneath concrete slabs on grade is for the control of (A) condensation. (B) ground water. (C) thermal loss or gain. (D) expansion or contraction.

(B) ground water.

Each of the following is a reason why structural wood panels (e.g., plywood, OSB, etc.) are used in lieu of boards for rough framing operations except: (A) panels are more nearly equal in strength in their two principal directions than solid wood boards are. (B) panels have a more pleasing grain pattern than solid wood boards do. (C) panels require less labor for installation than boards. (D) shrinking, swelling, splitting, and checking are reduced in panels (compared to boards). (E) panels make more efficient use of forest resources than solid wood boards do

(B) panels have a more pleasing grain pattern than solid wood boards do.

Moisture content of wood is the: (A) amount of all water in wood. (B) ratio of the water in wood to its dry mass. (C) ratio of wood's dry mass to its contained water. (D) density of wood. (E) amount of bound water.

(B) ratio of the water in wood to its dry mass.

The purpose of the element X (look at phone for the picture) in the diagram above is to (A) increase hydrostatic pressure on the wall (B) reduce hydrostatic pressure on the wall (C) maintain uniform hydrostatic pressure on the wall (D) decrease vapor pressure in the basement room

(B) reduce hydrostatic pressure on the wall

Which of the following deals with strengthening and/or stabilizing foundations of existing buildings? (A) Place the foundation below the water table (B) Modify the contours of the site during finish grading (C) Install drainage tiles adjacent to the bottom of footings (D) Provide a bed of coarse gravel at the perimeter of the foundation

(C) Install drainage tiles adjacent to the bottom of footings

Which of the following will most effectively divert subsurface water away from a building's foundation? (A) Place the foundation below the water table (B) Modify the contours of the site during finish grading (C) Install drainage tiles adjacent to the bottom of footings (D) Provide a bed of coarse gravel at the perimeter of the foundation

(C) Install drainage tiles adjacent to the bottom of footings

A new building is being constructed adjacent to an existing building whose footings are shallower than those planned for the new structure. The foundation for the new building should be constructed (A) in the usual way, as the existing building's footings will be minimally disrupted. (B) to the same depth as the footings in the existing building. (C) after the footings of the existing building have been extended down to the depth of the footings of the proposed building. (D) in two steps: first on the three nonadjacent sides and then on the remaining side

(C) after the footings of the existing building have been extended down to the depth of the footings of the proposed building.

Beams used in Heavy Timber construction are sometimes firecut. This is done to: (A) allow air circulation at the beam's end in an effort to reduce moisture decay. (B) counteract wind uplift forces. (C) allow the beam to rotate out of the wall if it burns through. (D) to ensure that columns will not buckle in the event of a fire. (E) to combat the effects of wood shrinkage.

(C) allow the beam to rotate out of the wall if it burns through.

Trusses used for residential roofs are commonly made with: (A) dimension lumber and glued joints. (B) glulam and bolts. (C) dimension lumber and toothed plates. (D) plywood and structural screws. (E) OSB and glue joints.

(C) dimension lumber and toothed plates.

Open-webbed steel joists are usually used in a commercial steel-framed building to support: (A) loads above relatively wide openings (e.g., overhead doors). (B) stairways. (C) roof decks. (D) joist girders. (E) elevator shafts.

(C) roof decks.

Hips and valleys are associated with: (A) stair framing. (B) exterior shingle siding. (C) roofs. (D) premanufactured wood floor joists. (E) applying stucco.

(C) roofs

A nominal 2 x 6 is shown in cross section. The measured perimeter is most nearly: (A) 8 inches (B) 10 inches (C) 12 inches (D) 14 inches (E) 16 inches

(D) 14 inches

Identify the header in the accompanying sketch. (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E

(D) D

What serves to brace exterior wall studs in a residential house against wracking? (A) Top plates (B) Sole plates (C) Floor joists (D) Exterior sheathing (E) Rafters

(D) Exterior sheathing

Settlement of a building after it is constructed is likely to be the greatest under which conditions? (Choose only one) (A) Foundation is bearing on friction piles. (B) Foundation is bearing on engineered fill. (C) Foundation is bearing on bedrock (D) Foundation is bearing on clay.

(D) Foundation is bearing on clay.

12. Which deep foundations system would you specify if the bearing strata (i.e., bedrock) were very far (say, 300 feet) below the ground surface? (A) Caissons (B) Socketed caissons (C) End bearing piles (D) Friction piles (E) Belled caissons

(D) Friction piles

Arrange the following tasks for a typical project in ascending order of scheduled time, that is, from the task requiring the least time to the most. I. Schematic design phase II. Bidding phase III. Client approval IV. Design development phase V. Construction documents phase (A) II, I, III, V, IV (B) I, III, II, V, IV (C) III, I, IV, II, V (D) III, II, I, IV, V

(D) III, II, I, IV, V

Which of the following framing members is most likely to be preservative treated? (A) Stud (B) Top plate (C) Floor joist (D) Sill (E) Rafter

(D) Sill

Frost line refers to the level of earth (A) at which the soil bearing value is affected by weather. (B) at which the building foundation should be located. (C) below which the footings will not freeze. (D) below which the soil does not freeze

(D) below which the soil does not freeze.

Structural steel: (A) contains roughly 2 percent carbon. (B) is made of carbon with iron as alloy. (C) contains nickel and chromium as alloys. (D) is largely made from scrap automobiles. (E) is exactly what used to be called wrought iron.

(D) is largely made from scrap automobiles.

Stressed skin panels (SSPs) and structural insulated panels (SIPs) are: (A) assembled from wood and insulating material at the job site. (B) always installed horizontally. (C) used to distribute loads evenly on wood I-joists. (D) premanufactured wood building components. (E) highly resistant to flame/fire spread.

(D) premanufactured wood building components.

A heavy timber (type IV-HT) building is primarily fire-protected by: (A) adding paint-on fire protection. (B) specifying wood only for nonstructural elements. (C) using only dense wood species. (D) specifying minimum wood cross-sections. (E) it does not have any usable fire rating.

(D) specifying minimum wood cross-sections.

The number of test borings that should be drilled on a particular site is determined by all of the following, EXCEPT (A) the uniformity of the subsurface conditions (B) the complexity of the building footprint. (C) the ground floor area of the proposed building (D) the depth at which firm strata are encountered.

(D) the depth at which firm strata are encountered.

A system of piles may be appropriate for supporting a structure when (A) moisture in the soil is detected. (B) the piles can be placed below ground water level. (C) dense earth makes conventional excavation difficult. (D) the surface soil has low bearing capacity

(D) the surface soil has low bearing capacity

Lumber that has its smallest dimension greater than 5 inches is called: (A) dimension lumber. (B) glue-laminated lumber. (C) parallel strand lumber. (D) timber. (E) decking.

(D) timber.

Which of the following is not a slope support system for deep excavations? (A) Slurry Walls (B) Steel sheet piling (C) Precast concrete sheet piling (D) Soldier beams and lagging (E) Caissons

(E) Caissons

In heavy timber buildings, building services such as piping and wiring: (A) can be run in a furred layer between structural wall and interior finish. (B) are located inside structural columns and beams. (C) might have to be left exposed if the structure does not provide cavities. (D) all of the above. (E) a and c.

(E) a and c.

Wood strength is affected by: (A) the species choice. (B) the angle between load and grain. (C) defects like knots. (D) the duration of the applied loads. (E) all of the above. (F) none of the above.

(E) all of the above.

Common lateral-force resisting systems in heavy timber structures are: (A) knee braces. (B) elevator shaft enclosure walls. (C) diagonal brace. (D) a and c only. (E) all of these.

(E) all of these.

A member on a steel drawing is identified as L5 x 4 x ⅜. This member is: (A) a channel. (B) a wide-flange beam. (C) a wide-flange column. (D) a precast concrete lintel. (E) an angle.

(E) an angle

1. Anchor bolts are used in wood light frame construction to connect: (A) steel beams to interior steel pipe columns. (B) rafters to top plates. (C) foundation walls to foundation footings. (D) stair stringers to stair treads. (E) sills to foundation walls.

(E) sills to foundation walls.

LVL, PSL, and LSL are all types of: (A) chemical treatments for wood. (B) codes that are part of the grade stamp used on plywood. (C) bolts. (D) heavy timber frame trusses. (E) structural composite lumber products.

(E) structural composite lumber products