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EXAC Exam 1 Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Topography effects building design
Ans: 1. Influences building proportions, wind loads, drainage
strategies, floor elevations, sanitary connections .
2. Work with existing to achieve neutral cut fill
4 factors for site selection
Ans: 1. Process for site selection
2. opportunities for urban development
3. opportunity for brownfield
4. Transportation
3 factors when conducting a site evaluation
Ans: 1. Physical
2. Cultural
3. Regulator
Site Characteristics that Influence Design
Ans: 1 - Geographical latitude / Microclimate
2 -Solar orientation
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
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3 - Wind direction
4 - Topography (bldg proportions, wind loads)
5 - Parcel size / Access
6 - Neighborhood Structures
7 - Soil Characteristics (bldg location)
8 - Groundwater patterns
Daylighting
Ans: 1. Direct
2. Diffused
3. Reflected
Daylighting Rule of Thumb
Ans: Effective lighting depth 2x the height of window
Allow from 2 directions
Static Load vs Dynamic Load
Ans: 1. Static Load: Applied slowly
2. Dynamic Load: Applied suddenly
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6 Types of static loads
Ans: 1. Live load (Occupant / Snow)
2. Dead load (self weight / mech)
3. Settlement loads (diff settlement)
4. Ground pressure (soil mass)
5. Hydrostatic Pressure
6. Impact load
2 Types Dynamic Loads
Ans: 1. Wind
2. Earthquake
Building orientation
Ans: 1, Elongate building east/west: minimize east west
exposure, maximize south exposure
2. South exposure with shade protection (overhang)
3. Facilitate air movement during hot months
4. Block wind during cold months
Two Elements for Passive Solar
Ans: 1. Glass: Cold 30-50% Temperate 15-25%
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2. Thermal mass
3 types of passive solar
Ans: 1. Direct Gain
2. Indirect gain (thermal mass, roof pond, sunspace)
3. Isolated gain
Geotech Report
Ans: 1. Site description
2. Field Investigation
3. Subsurface Condition (soil types, depth)
4. Water table
5. Recommendations (Foundation, slab, parkade, cement mix,
asphalt construction)
Shear Strength Soil
Ans: Ability to resist displacement when forces applied
1 - Cohesive soils (clay, silt) retain strength when unconfined
(high angle of repose)
2 - Non cohesive soils (gravel, sand) require confined forces and
have shallow angle of repose
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
EXAC Exam 1 Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Topography effects building design
Ans: 1. Influences building proportions, wind loads, drainage
strategies, floor elevations, sanitary connections .
2. Work with existing to achieve neutral cut fill
4 factors for site selection
Ans: 1. Process for site selection
2. opportunities for urban development
3. opportunity for brownfield
4. Transportation
3 factors when conducting a site evaluation
Ans: 1. Physical
2. Cultural
3. Regulator
Site Characteristics that Influence Design
Ans: 1 - Geographical latitude / Microclimate
2 -Solar orientation
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
3 - Wind direction
4 - Topography (bldg proportions, wind loads)
5 - Parcel size / Access
6 - Neighborhood Structures
7 - Soil Characteristics (bldg location)
8 - Groundwater patterns
Daylighting
Ans: 1. Direct
2. Diffused
3. Reflected
Daylighting Rule of Thumb
Ans: Effective lighting depth 2x the height of window
Allow from 2 directions
Static Load vs Dynamic Load
Ans: 1. Static Load: Applied slowly
2. Dynamic Load: Applied suddenly
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
6 Types of static loads
Ans: 1. Live load (Occupant / Snow)
2. Dead load (self weight / mech)
3. Settlement loads (diff settlement)
4. Ground pressure (soil mass)
5. Hydrostatic Pressure
6. Impact load
2 Types Dynamic Loads
Ans: 1. Wind
2. Earthquake
Building orientation
Ans: 1, Elongate building east/west: minimize east west
exposure, maximize south exposure
2. South exposure with shade protection (overhang)
3. Facilitate air movement during hot months
4. Block wind during cold months
Two Elements for Passive Solar
Ans: 1. Glass: Cold 30-50% Temperate 15-25%
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
2. Thermal mass
3 types of passive solar
Ans: 1. Direct Gain
2. Indirect gain (thermal mass, roof pond, sunspace)
3. Isolated gain
Geotech Report
Ans: 1. Site description
2. Field Investigation
3. Subsurface Condition (soil types, depth)
4. Water table
5. Recommendations (Foundation, slab, parkade, cement mix,
asphalt construction)
Shear Strength Soil
Ans: Ability to resist displacement when forces applied
1 - Cohesive soils (clay, silt) retain strength when unconfined
(high angle of repose)
2 - Non cohesive soils (gravel, sand) require confined forces and
have shallow angle of repose
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
