PPD exam Questions & Answers Solved 100%
Correct.
think of large outdoor equipment and where it should go on a site
dumpster (out of view, far from noses, not near quiet-room windows)
transformer (b/t muncipal service and in-building switch gear. could be on pole, on ground near
bld but 4' from the road, underground. ugly and sometimes buzzes, so out of view if possible. if
it is inside, a non-flammable coolant is needed.)
cooling tower (these are large, want to be out of view and they need access to the atmosphere so
they cannot be indoors. they are often near the chillers they serve, but can be remote if needed)
generator (loud, but if it is a backup, it will be rarely used and noise will not be issue. must
exhaust outside, so typ is outside placement.)
how do you decide what is the least expensive construction technique?
what you see most often is gen. the least expensive option.
OSB sheathing is more common, and less expensive, than plywood sheathing. - plywood is more
common as formwork, and less expensive than insulated concrete forms (ICFs), etc.
what is a right hand reverse-bevel door?
how can we shade windows in the northern hemisphere?
,South Facing - deciduous trees, horizontal louvers, light shelves, shade with other adjacent
building masses
East/West Facing - deciduous trees, vertical louvers, light shelves, shade with other adjacent
building masses
North Facing - shading not req.
shading lower southern sun req. longer horizontal overhangs
fact
shading higher southern sun req. _______________ (shorter or longer) horizontal
overhangs
SHORTER
position the vertical louvers on the east / west face so that the "cut-off" angle of each fin
shades direct sun.
the geometry of the fins vary relative to the position of the sun...
position the vertical louvers on the east / west face so that the "cut-off" angle of each fin
shades direct sun.
the geometry will vary based on specific location of the sun.
design a light shelf. draw it in section. try to get the proportions and materials correct.
A: height of light shelf should be such that is shades room occupants from sky view
,B: height of top light should be as high as possible (with A in mind)
C: extension of light shelf should be 1.4x b if light shelf faces due south (1.7 times b if light shelf
faces more than 20* to east/west of south)
x: to get light deep into the room (and therefore mitigate glare) sunlight should reflect off top of
light shelf and then off light-colored ceiling
R: because view to the sky is shaded, area close to the window have less glare
what is the difference b/t passive and active radon mitigation
passive system: seal the foundation cracks and where slab meeting wall. continuous airtight pipe
extends from below slab to above roof, allowing a easy path for underground radon to escape
without entering the house. no fan is needed.
active system: fan pulls air (and radon) through a contin. pipe from below the slab or crawlspace
to the atmosphere. typ. just needed for high levels of radon.
seismic - whent he shear wall is overly-perforated with apertures or does not continue
uninterrupted all the way from roof to foundation:
you will have issues of building collapsing.
what is the "soft story" problem?
, flexible first floor
discontinuity: indirect load path
heavy superstructure
but what is the PROBLEM with a "soft story"
the soft story disgrunts the load pathing during seismic event and collapses.
there are urbanistic and programmatic reasons why you want to design a tall or flexible
first floor, what is the solution to a soft story?
high first floors with slender columsn do not always bring about a soft story issue. the problem
happens when the columns are the primary resistors of lateral loads.
you can add more columns, add bracing, and add external buttresses.
calculating code stair width
you calc based on the floor with HIGHEST occupancy load.
OCCUPANT LOAD
1-500: 2 stairs
501-1000: 3 stairs
1000+:4 stairs
that floor width controls the entire stairs up and down.
<50 = min 36" width
Correct.
think of large outdoor equipment and where it should go on a site
dumpster (out of view, far from noses, not near quiet-room windows)
transformer (b/t muncipal service and in-building switch gear. could be on pole, on ground near
bld but 4' from the road, underground. ugly and sometimes buzzes, so out of view if possible. if
it is inside, a non-flammable coolant is needed.)
cooling tower (these are large, want to be out of view and they need access to the atmosphere so
they cannot be indoors. they are often near the chillers they serve, but can be remote if needed)
generator (loud, but if it is a backup, it will be rarely used and noise will not be issue. must
exhaust outside, so typ is outside placement.)
how do you decide what is the least expensive construction technique?
what you see most often is gen. the least expensive option.
OSB sheathing is more common, and less expensive, than plywood sheathing. - plywood is more
common as formwork, and less expensive than insulated concrete forms (ICFs), etc.
what is a right hand reverse-bevel door?
how can we shade windows in the northern hemisphere?
,South Facing - deciduous trees, horizontal louvers, light shelves, shade with other adjacent
building masses
East/West Facing - deciduous trees, vertical louvers, light shelves, shade with other adjacent
building masses
North Facing - shading not req.
shading lower southern sun req. longer horizontal overhangs
fact
shading higher southern sun req. _______________ (shorter or longer) horizontal
overhangs
SHORTER
position the vertical louvers on the east / west face so that the "cut-off" angle of each fin
shades direct sun.
the geometry of the fins vary relative to the position of the sun...
position the vertical louvers on the east / west face so that the "cut-off" angle of each fin
shades direct sun.
the geometry will vary based on specific location of the sun.
design a light shelf. draw it in section. try to get the proportions and materials correct.
A: height of light shelf should be such that is shades room occupants from sky view
,B: height of top light should be as high as possible (with A in mind)
C: extension of light shelf should be 1.4x b if light shelf faces due south (1.7 times b if light shelf
faces more than 20* to east/west of south)
x: to get light deep into the room (and therefore mitigate glare) sunlight should reflect off top of
light shelf and then off light-colored ceiling
R: because view to the sky is shaded, area close to the window have less glare
what is the difference b/t passive and active radon mitigation
passive system: seal the foundation cracks and where slab meeting wall. continuous airtight pipe
extends from below slab to above roof, allowing a easy path for underground radon to escape
without entering the house. no fan is needed.
active system: fan pulls air (and radon) through a contin. pipe from below the slab or crawlspace
to the atmosphere. typ. just needed for high levels of radon.
seismic - whent he shear wall is overly-perforated with apertures or does not continue
uninterrupted all the way from roof to foundation:
you will have issues of building collapsing.
what is the "soft story" problem?
, flexible first floor
discontinuity: indirect load path
heavy superstructure
but what is the PROBLEM with a "soft story"
the soft story disgrunts the load pathing during seismic event and collapses.
there are urbanistic and programmatic reasons why you want to design a tall or flexible
first floor, what is the solution to a soft story?
high first floors with slender columsn do not always bring about a soft story issue. the problem
happens when the columns are the primary resistors of lateral loads.
you can add more columns, add bracing, and add external buttresses.
calculating code stair width
you calc based on the floor with HIGHEST occupancy load.
OCCUPANT LOAD
1-500: 2 stairs
501-1000: 3 stairs
1000+:4 stairs
that floor width controls the entire stairs up and down.
<50 = min 36" width
