PPD Practice Exam #2 With Correct
Solutions,2025.
What is the maximum vertical travel distance of a hydraulic elevator. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔70'
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In the programming phase, the project team is calculating the usable area of a project based on interior layout efficiency. The rentable area
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is 60,000 square feet. The owner wants a 75% layout efficiency.
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What is the interior usable area in square feet? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔60,000 net area / 0.75 layout efficiency = 80,000 gross area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
In the programming phase, the project team is calculating the usable area of a project based on interior layout efficiency. The rentable area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
is 60,000 square feet. The owner wants a 75% layout efficiency.
j j j j j j j j j j j
What is the interior usable area in square feet? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔60,000 net area / 0.75 layout efficiency = 80,000 gross area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
An architect is designing a passive solar building which will take advantage of an adjacent south-facing slope. The slope will have a
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
specially designed collector where air will be warmed by the sun and then rise to serve as the heat for the building. Cooler air will
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
simultaneously be pulled from a chamber below the floor, creating a convection loop.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
How is this type of passive solar system identified? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Isolated gain systems collect and store solar radiation
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
away from the space to be heated
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Sunspace - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔separated from the main living space by a thermal storage wall.
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Direct gain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Direct gain systems collect heat directly within an interior space.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Indirect gain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Indirect gain systems control heat gain at the exterior skin of a building, utilizing a Trombe
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
wall or a drumwall of water-filled barrels or tubes.
j j j j j j j j j
An architect is performing code analysis for a new building that will be located in the densely populated business district of a large urban
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
area.
j
Where should the architect look to find the regulations on building heights and setbacks? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Zoning ordinance
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An architect is hired to prepare plans for the treatment of an existing historic structure. The client would like the project to have the highest
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level of historic accuracy.
j j j j
Which treatment option should the architect recommend? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Preservation is defined as the act or process of
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applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property. Work, including preliminary
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
features, rather than extensive replacement and new construction.
j j j j j j j j
A homeowner has recently installed a new pool, and they have asked the architect to design a small covered open-air pavilion next to the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
, pool for guest entertainment and cooking.
j j j j j j
What must the architect include in the design? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔All electrical outlets prone to wetness need to have ground
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fault interrupters.
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Which of the following exemplify the purpose of zoning? Check the four that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Protect local residents
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from undesirable types of business, Protect the amount of open space for local residents, Protect the access to direct sunlight and fresh air,
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Ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturb residents
j j j j j j j j j j
The soil survey determines the proposed building location is not suitable for construction.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Which soil condition is most likely to have been discovered at the building site? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Highly organic soils are rich
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
in organic matter and undecomposed plant material. The composition of these soils provides very little strength and makes them high
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
compressible, making them not suitable for construction.
j j j j j j j
An architect is researching methods to protect fasteners from corrosion.
j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following types of metal fasteners would provide the best cathodic protection? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Stainless steel
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
is the most cathodic of these options, and it is made so by adding chromium directly to molten steel.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
A historic inn has recently been vandalized. A few of the original historic window panes were broken. The owner has since repaired the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
damage, but is considering further alterations to secure the property against future incidents.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
According to the Department of the Interior's historic preservation standards, which of the following options represents the most sensitive
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
option to achieve the stated objective while maintaining the historic character of the inn? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔impact-resistant
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windows will provide stronger resistance to vandalism, and a faithful representation will maintain the historic character in accordance
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
with the guidelines.
j j j
After bidding a project for a new office tower, the design team discovers the project is over budget. To reduce costs, the project architect
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
decides to engage the team in a value engineering exercise.
j j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following strategies can assist in the process of value engineering? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Creating mock-ups of
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
systems and assemblies can help open the door to innovative design discussions and solutions. Mock-ups offer the design team a chance to
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
interact with and better understand a system or assembly. By better understanding the item, the design team can then search for cheaper
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
solutions to achieve the same or similar results.
j j j j j j j j
The architect is reviewing a current geotechnical report for the site of a newly proposed shopping mall in a seismically active site. The
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
boring report lists from top to bottom: 6 inches of topsoil, 6 feet of fine sand and clay, 4 feet of clayey sand, 5 feet of dense sand and silt, 5
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
feet of stiff clay, and 10 feet of coarse gravel. The preliminary structural analysis indicates a foundation pressure requirement of roughly
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
2,000 psi, and the structural engineer has proposed a deep foundation system using piles.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Based on the proposed building type, where should the ends of the building's piles be located? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Extend to the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
layer of coarse gravel
j j j j
An architect is planning a new rural residence in a temperate climate on a predominantly flat site. The prevailing winds come from the east.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Due to the size of the property, the owner has requested a retention pond to collect stormwater runoff.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Where should the architect position the retention pond relative to the house, if they wish to aid in naturally cooling the house during the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
summer? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The prevailing winds come from the east, which means that positioning the pond to the east of the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
house will allow the cooler surface temperatures of the pond to be carried toward the residence.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
The architect is finishing their code research by reviewing the local energy code. In their state, that code is the 2015 International Energy
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Conservation Code. In order to specify all of the insulation and fenstration values the architect will need to know which of the following 4
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
pieces of information?
j j j
Use the image below to select the item with the four pieces of information that will determine the insulation and fenestration values. -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Commercial/Residential Classification, Climate Zone, State, County
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An architect is designing a super-insulated, energy-efficient home in Alaska that utilizes winter passive solar heating through triple-pane
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
windows and implements shading strategies to eliminate unwanted heat gain in the spring, summer, and fall.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following is the best option for the solar heat gain coefficient of the insulated glass units at the south-facing windows? -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The extreme cold climate of Alaska has a long and demanding heating season and typically no summer
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
cooling demand. The solar heat gain coefficient should be the highest available for triple-pane units, which is approximately 0.55. This
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
allows the window unit to fully utilize winter passive solar heating.
j j j j j j j j j j j
Solutions,2025.
What is the maximum vertical travel distance of a hydraulic elevator. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔70'
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
In the programming phase, the project team is calculating the usable area of a project based on interior layout efficiency. The rentable area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
is 60,000 square feet. The owner wants a 75% layout efficiency.
j j j j j j j j j j j
What is the interior usable area in square feet? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔60,000 net area / 0.75 layout efficiency = 80,000 gross area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
In the programming phase, the project team is calculating the usable area of a project based on interior layout efficiency. The rentable area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
is 60,000 square feet. The owner wants a 75% layout efficiency.
j j j j j j j j j j j
What is the interior usable area in square feet? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔60,000 net area / 0.75 layout efficiency = 80,000 gross area
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
An architect is designing a passive solar building which will take advantage of an adjacent south-facing slope. The slope will have a
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
specially designed collector where air will be warmed by the sun and then rise to serve as the heat for the building. Cooler air will
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
simultaneously be pulled from a chamber below the floor, creating a convection loop.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
How is this type of passive solar system identified? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Isolated gain systems collect and store solar radiation
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
away from the space to be heated
j j j j j j j
Sunspace - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔separated from the main living space by a thermal storage wall.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Direct gain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Direct gain systems collect heat directly within an interior space.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Indirect gain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Indirect gain systems control heat gain at the exterior skin of a building, utilizing a Trombe
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
wall or a drumwall of water-filled barrels or tubes.
j j j j j j j j j
An architect is performing code analysis for a new building that will be located in the densely populated business district of a large urban
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
area.
j
Where should the architect look to find the regulations on building heights and setbacks? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Zoning ordinance
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
An architect is hired to prepare plans for the treatment of an existing historic structure. The client would like the project to have the highest
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
level of historic accuracy.
j j j j
Which treatment option should the architect recommend? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Preservation is defined as the act or process of
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property. Work, including preliminary
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
features, rather than extensive replacement and new construction.
j j j j j j j j
A homeowner has recently installed a new pool, and they have asked the architect to design a small covered open-air pavilion next to the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
, pool for guest entertainment and cooking.
j j j j j j
What must the architect include in the design? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔All electrical outlets prone to wetness need to have ground
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
fault interrupters.
j j
Which of the following exemplify the purpose of zoning? Check the four that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Protect local residents
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
from undesirable types of business, Protect the amount of open space for local residents, Protect the access to direct sunlight and fresh air,
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturb residents
j j j j j j j j j j
The soil survey determines the proposed building location is not suitable for construction.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
Which soil condition is most likely to have been discovered at the building site? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Highly organic soils are rich
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
in organic matter and undecomposed plant material. The composition of these soils provides very little strength and makes them high
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
compressible, making them not suitable for construction.
j j j j j j j
An architect is researching methods to protect fasteners from corrosion.
j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following types of metal fasteners would provide the best cathodic protection? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Stainless steel
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
is the most cathodic of these options, and it is made so by adding chromium directly to molten steel.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
A historic inn has recently been vandalized. A few of the original historic window panes were broken. The owner has since repaired the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
damage, but is considering further alterations to secure the property against future incidents.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
According to the Department of the Interior's historic preservation standards, which of the following options represents the most sensitive
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
option to achieve the stated objective while maintaining the historic character of the inn? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔impact-resistant
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
windows will provide stronger resistance to vandalism, and a faithful representation will maintain the historic character in accordance
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
with the guidelines.
j j j
After bidding a project for a new office tower, the design team discovers the project is over budget. To reduce costs, the project architect
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
decides to engage the team in a value engineering exercise.
j j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following strategies can assist in the process of value engineering? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Creating mock-ups of
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
systems and assemblies can help open the door to innovative design discussions and solutions. Mock-ups offer the design team a chance to
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
interact with and better understand a system or assembly. By better understanding the item, the design team can then search for cheaper
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
solutions to achieve the same or similar results.
j j j j j j j j
The architect is reviewing a current geotechnical report for the site of a newly proposed shopping mall in a seismically active site. The
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
boring report lists from top to bottom: 6 inches of topsoil, 6 feet of fine sand and clay, 4 feet of clayey sand, 5 feet of dense sand and silt, 5
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
feet of stiff clay, and 10 feet of coarse gravel. The preliminary structural analysis indicates a foundation pressure requirement of roughly
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
2,000 psi, and the structural engineer has proposed a deep foundation system using piles.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Based on the proposed building type, where should the ends of the building's piles be located? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Extend to the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
layer of coarse gravel
j j j j
An architect is planning a new rural residence in a temperate climate on a predominantly flat site. The prevailing winds come from the east.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Due to the size of the property, the owner has requested a retention pond to collect stormwater runoff.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Where should the architect position the retention pond relative to the house, if they wish to aid in naturally cooling the house during the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
summer? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The prevailing winds come from the east, which means that positioning the pond to the east of the
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
house will allow the cooler surface temperatures of the pond to be carried toward the residence.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
The architect is finishing their code research by reviewing the local energy code. In their state, that code is the 2015 International Energy
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Conservation Code. In order to specify all of the insulation and fenstration values the architect will need to know which of the following 4
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
pieces of information?
j j j
Use the image below to select the item with the four pieces of information that will determine the insulation and fenestration values. -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Commercial/Residential Classification, Climate Zone, State, County
j j j j j j j
An architect is designing a super-insulated, energy-efficient home in Alaska that utilizes winter passive solar heating through triple-pane
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
windows and implements shading strategies to eliminate unwanted heat gain in the spring, summer, and fall.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
Which of the following is the best option for the solar heat gain coefficient of the insulated glass units at the south-facing windows? -
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The extreme cold climate of Alaska has a long and demanding heating season and typically no summer
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
cooling demand. The solar heat gain coefficient should be the highest available for triple-pane units, which is approximately 0.55. This
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
allows the window unit to fully utilize winter passive solar heating.
j j j j j j j j j j j
