2007~2008
BE225 Construction Methods & Technology
s
School of Environment & Technology
Semester 2 Examinations 2007-2008
BE225
CONSTRUCTION METHODS
& TECHNOLOGY
Instruction to candidates:
Time allowed: TWO hours
Attempt question ONE and TWO (Compulsory)
and any TWO questions from the remaining three questions
Answer FOUR questions in total
Each question carrying equal marks
Thursday 5 June 2008, 09:00 -11:00 Hours
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BE225 Construction Methods & Technology
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BE225 Construction Methods & Technology
Question 1 (compulsory)
A construction manager has asked you to produce method statement(s) for
the construction of a deep basement for the new building block at the
University of Brighton, Watts carpark area (Appendix 1.0). The site set up
has been completed, you are to focus on providing the detail to enable the
substructure works to commence
Produce descriptive, design and tabulated method statements to carry out the
sub-structure works and identify the constraints that may affect the construction
process.
(30 marks)
Question 2 (compulsory)
A contractor is using a tracked mounted excavator/loader machine for
excavation work on site. The plant has a peak output of 140 cubic metres
bulked material per hour. The excavation is a basement 180m by 74m by
5.2m deep in clayey soil overlaid by a 0.8m fill material, therefore 6m deep
overall.
(a)
Using justifiable estimates and bulk factors of 1.3 and 1.15 for the clay
and fill material respectively, calculate the:
(i)
Total bulk volume of excavated material
(5 marks)
(ii)
Peak output of the excavator (show all calculations and
assumptions)
(2 marks)
(ii)
Normal output of the excavator (show all calculations and
assumptions)
(2 marks)
(iii)
The overall operational efficiency factor of the excavator (show all
calculations and assumptions)
(2 marks)
(iv)
Actual output of the excavator (show all calculations and
assumptions)
(2 marks)
(b)
If the tipping ground is 20 Km away from site, and the average speed
for haulage trucks is 28 Km/hr determine how many suitably sized
trucks would be required for the excavator to work non-stop (allow 8
minutes for dumping, turning and accelerating from the tip).
(7 marks)
(c)
Plot a Haulage Diagram to depict your results in (b).
(d)
If the contractor owns the excavator but has to hire the haulage trucks,
state how many trucks would he require to achieve optimum hire cost
based on the Haulage Diagram?
(4 marks)
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(6 marks)
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BE225 Construction Methods & Technology
Attempt any TWO questions from the remaining THREE questions in
this paper
Question 3
Under the NEW Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM
2007), outline the roles and responsibilities of the main ‘Stakeholders’
involved and highlight how these stakeholders influence health and safety on
construction sites.
(20 Marks)
Question 4
A construction manager has to make key decisions and evaluate project
conditions in order to choose the most appropriate construction methods for a
building project.
(a)
Briefly list and describe the ten key factors that govern the selection of
foundations.
(b)
(10 marks)
Briefly list and describe the main factors that govern the selection of
construction plant.
(10 marks)
Question 5
A contractor intends using a Proprietary system to support the sides of an
excavation trench.
(a)
Identify the criteria used to develop a feasible solution when
considering the support of excavations and discuss the procedures
required to address three of these criteria.
(10 marks)
(b)
Discuss (with the aid of sketches) two excavation support systems,
highlighting the advantages and disadvantages in each case.
(one of your chosen systems must be able to deal with ‘services’ or
drainage pipework crossing the excavation).
(10 marks)
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