COSC 275 FINAL EXAM 2026/27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(GRADED A+)
Estimating - ANSWER-The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials,
labor, and equipment of a proposed project.
take off - ANSWER-The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on
drawings and specifications, of all the material and equipment necessary to construct
a project. The cost estimator uses this list to calculate how much it will cost to build
the project.
quantities - ANSWER-Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their
customary units.
quantification - ANSWER-In estimating an activity to translate project scope
information into resource quantities suitable for costing. In the engineering and
construction industry, a takeoff is a specific type of quantification that is a
measurement and listing of quantities of materials from drawings.
quantity survey - ANSWER-A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to
construct a project.
area - ANSWER-A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid.
area method - ANSWER-A construction cost estimating system employing unit
square foot costs multiplied by the adjusted gross floor area of a building.
length - ANSWER-The longest dimension of an object.
Linear measurement - ANSWER-A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12"
= 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1 yard = 0.9144 meters, 1 mile = 5,280 feet.
dimension - ANSWER-A distance between two points, lines, or planes.
specifications or specs - ANSWER-Documents that define the qualitative
requirements for products, materials,
and workmanship upon which the contract for construction is based.
Drawings - ANSWER-Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and
location of a
project. Generally including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules,
and sections.
Addendum - ANSWER-A document describing an addition, change, correction, or
modification to contract
, documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding
period or prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing
bidders of modifications to the work during the bidding process. Addenda become
part of the contract documents.
Amendment - ANSWER-A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement.
This does not change
the entire existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or
requirements.
Grade - ANSWER-The surface or level of the ground
Level - ANSWER-A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points
at the
same elevation and thus does not tilt or slope.
Site - ANSWER-The location of a project geographically, usually defined by legal
boundaries.
Elevation - ANSWER-A vertical distance relative to a reference point.
Cut and Fill - ANSWER-An operation commonly used in road building and other rock
and
earthmoving operations in which the material excavated and removed from
one location is used as fill material at another location.
Fill - ANSWER-The soil or other material used to raise the grade of a site area.
Foundation - ANSWER-The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or
frame of a building,
including the footing upon which the building rests.
Grade Beam - ANSWER-A horizontal end-supported (as opposed to ground-
supported) load-bearing
foundation member that supports an exterior wall of a superstructure.
Width - ANSWER-the measurement or extent of something from side to side.
Pan Construction - ANSWER-A type of concrete floor or roof in which pan forms are
used to create
intersecting ribs and resulting in a waffle-like undersurface.
Formwork - ANSWER-The total system of support for freshly placed concrete,
including the mold
or sheathing that contacts the concrete, as well as all supporting members,
hardware, and necessary bracing.
PVR - Potential Vertical Rise - ANSWER-Potential Vertical Rise, expressed in inches
(mm) is the latent or potential ability of a soil material to swell, at a given density,
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(GRADED A+)
Estimating - ANSWER-The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials,
labor, and equipment of a proposed project.
take off - ANSWER-The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on
drawings and specifications, of all the material and equipment necessary to construct
a project. The cost estimator uses this list to calculate how much it will cost to build
the project.
quantities - ANSWER-Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their
customary units.
quantification - ANSWER-In estimating an activity to translate project scope
information into resource quantities suitable for costing. In the engineering and
construction industry, a takeoff is a specific type of quantification that is a
measurement and listing of quantities of materials from drawings.
quantity survey - ANSWER-A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to
construct a project.
area - ANSWER-A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid.
area method - ANSWER-A construction cost estimating system employing unit
square foot costs multiplied by the adjusted gross floor area of a building.
length - ANSWER-The longest dimension of an object.
Linear measurement - ANSWER-A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12"
= 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1 yard = 0.9144 meters, 1 mile = 5,280 feet.
dimension - ANSWER-A distance between two points, lines, or planes.
specifications or specs - ANSWER-Documents that define the qualitative
requirements for products, materials,
and workmanship upon which the contract for construction is based.
Drawings - ANSWER-Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and
location of a
project. Generally including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules,
and sections.
Addendum - ANSWER-A document describing an addition, change, correction, or
modification to contract
, documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding
period or prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing
bidders of modifications to the work during the bidding process. Addenda become
part of the contract documents.
Amendment - ANSWER-A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement.
This does not change
the entire existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or
requirements.
Grade - ANSWER-The surface or level of the ground
Level - ANSWER-A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points
at the
same elevation and thus does not tilt or slope.
Site - ANSWER-The location of a project geographically, usually defined by legal
boundaries.
Elevation - ANSWER-A vertical distance relative to a reference point.
Cut and Fill - ANSWER-An operation commonly used in road building and other rock
and
earthmoving operations in which the material excavated and removed from
one location is used as fill material at another location.
Fill - ANSWER-The soil or other material used to raise the grade of a site area.
Foundation - ANSWER-The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or
frame of a building,
including the footing upon which the building rests.
Grade Beam - ANSWER-A horizontal end-supported (as opposed to ground-
supported) load-bearing
foundation member that supports an exterior wall of a superstructure.
Width - ANSWER-the measurement or extent of something from side to side.
Pan Construction - ANSWER-A type of concrete floor or roof in which pan forms are
used to create
intersecting ribs and resulting in a waffle-like undersurface.
Formwork - ANSWER-The total system of support for freshly placed concrete,
including the mold
or sheathing that contacts the concrete, as well as all supporting members,
hardware, and necessary bracing.
PVR - Potential Vertical Rise - ANSWER-Potential Vertical Rise, expressed in inches
(mm) is the latent or potential ability of a soil material to swell, at a given density,
