Worksheets1.4 & 1.5 Construction Revision Quiz
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Which part of a building is the superstructure?
The part built above ground level
Only the roof and floors
All components at and below foundations
Elements below natural ground level
Which pair lists primary structural elements?
Ceilings and finishes
Gutters and cladding
Windows and doors
Columns and beams
What is the main function of foundations?
To transfer building loads to ground
To ventilate crawl spaces
To provide internal partitions
To waterproof basements
Which statement best distinguishes load-bearing from non-load-bearing walls?
Load-bearing walls carry structural weight; non-load-bearing provide enclosure
Load-bearing walls are thicker; non-load-bearing are thinner
Load-bearing walls improve insulation; non-load-bearing improve acoustics
Load-bearing walls are exterior; non-load-bearing are interior
What is the purpose of a steel lintel over an opening?
To anchor window frames
To improve thermal performance
To support loads above the opening
To seal against rain ingress
Which materials are suitable for structural frames?
Brick, mortar, screed
Timber, steel, engineered wood
PVC, glass, ceramic tile
Plasterboard, paint, wallpaper
Which description best matches a raft foundation?
Isolated pads beneath columns
Large reinforced concrete slab spreading load
Deep piles driven into bedrock
Narrow strip under external walls
Which is an advantage of solar PV in buildings?
Relies on high wind levels
Produces zero‑carbon electricity
Heats water directly
Stores energy without batteries
Which finishes are typical for internal walls or ceilings?
Plaster and plasterboard
Membranes and DPC
Concrete and rebar
Timber beams and steel columns
Which deep foundation type transfers load through weak soil to stronger strata?
Rafts with thick edge beams
Piles driven or bored into bearing ground
Wide strip footings under walls
Trench fill concrete to shallow depth
Why might a raft foundation be unsuitable on a soft, variable site?
It ignores soil settlement entirely
It cannot be reinforced with steel
It relies on uniformly firm ground
It requires piles to work properly
Which statement best matches a benefit of wind turbines?
Have no visual impact on landscapes
Require constant sunlight to operate
Increase noise levels near homes
Reduce electricity bills through generation
Which is a typical limitation of wind turbines for communities?
Power available day and night
Lower grid stability
Zero‑carbon energy output
Visual impact concerns
Why must walls in cellular construction be relatively thick?
To support their own weight
To reduce acoustic transmission only
To create space for services only
To improve natural ventilation alone
Which is a key benefit of cellular construction?
Requires no vertical load-bearing
Eliminates need for party walls
High acoustic separation
Allows unlimited clear spans
Which description best characterizes a portal frame?
Rigid joints between columns and rafters
Truss system with diagonals and ties
Post-and-beam with simple shear connections
Pinned joints allowing rotation
Which materials are commonly used to construct portal frames?
Structural steel and laminated timber
Masonry brick and block
Aluminium sheets and PVC
Glass and fibreboard
What is the meaning of a building being “listed”?
Protected for heritage importance
Certified for energy performance
Approved for high-rise construction
Designated for seismic upgrading
Why is bracing important in portal frames?
Removes need for foundations in soft soils
Transfers all vertical loads to the curtain wall
Allows free expansion of rafters under heat
Provides rigidity and stability against lateral forces
Which action is part of mitigation when working on historic buildings?
Reducing impact on historic fabric
Ignoring minor features during works
Replacing original materials routinely
Adding large openings for new services
What does minimisation mean in conservation work?
Maximise new interventions throughout
Carry out the minimum necessary work
Standardise modern finishes broadly
Replace all aged materials completely
What principle defines reversibility for services in historic buildings?
Services should be removable in future
Services must be upgraded every decade
Services must be permanently fixed
Services should be hidden behind plaster
Which feature of portal frames helps achieve wide clear spans?
External buttresses supporting walls
Pinned base plates allowing rotation
Use of heavy masonry infill panels
Rigid connections between columns and rafters
What role does bracing play in preventing frame deformation?
Prevents sway and transfers loads safely
Allows controlled lateral drift under wind
Shifts vertical loads to curtain walls
Ensures beams act as primary columns
Which statement best defines the superstructure of a building?
Elements above ground including roof and walls
All parts below ground including foundations
Only the visible façade and cladding
Mechanical services and internal finishes
Which pair lists primary structural elements in buildings?
Columns and beams
Plaster and paint
Doors and windows
Insulation and membranes
What is the main role of foundations?
Anchor curtain walls to external frames
Provide decorative base trim for walls
Create thermal mass for heating systems
Transfer building loads safely into the ground
Which statement distinguishes load-bearing from non-load-bearing walls?
Made of concrete versus made of timber
Are external only versus internal only
Support structure weight versus carry no structural load
Require lintels versus never need lintels
In soft, weak ground, which deep foundation is most suitable and how does it work?
Pile; driven or bored to stable strata
Pad; spreads load over small area
Raft; floats on compacted surface
Pier; rests directly on topsoil
For high hot‑water demand in a rural home, which system is recommended?
Ground source heat pumps
Photovoltaic panels
Wind turbine generation
Solar thermal heating
