BUSI 401 MC || All Solved.
1. Consider the following statement: A "substructure" is required in a building only when there is
the potential for frost heaving or if underground parking is required.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is false, because a substructure is required for every building to transfer loads
from the building to the ground below, regardless of parking structures or frost heaving.
(3) This statement is false, because it is a "foundation" that is required in this situation, and not a
"substructure".
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 2
Option (2) is correct. Option (3) is incorrect because the terms "foundation" and "substructure"
are
synonymous.
2. Consider the following statement: In a rocky area, a single pile should not be used alone for
structural support because a driven pile could hit a rock and bend away from its intended
location.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is false, because a pilaster foundation should be used in rocky areas.
(3) This statement is false, because the allowable bearing pressure of rock is 100 tsf.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 1
Option (1) is correct. Option (2) is incorrect because a pilaster refers to a wall support. Option
(3) is
incorrect because the allowable bearing pressure of rock has no relevance to this question.
3. Which of the following types of foundations would be best described as a cylindrical site-cast
concrete foundation that penetrates through unsatisfactory soil to rest upon an underlying stratum
of rock or satisfactory soil?
,(1) Pile.
(2) Pier.
(3) Caisson.
(4) None of the above. correct answers Answer: 3
A caisson is a cylindrical site-cast concrete foundation that penetrates through unsatisfactory soil
to rest
up an underlying stratum of rock or satisfactory soil.
4. Consider the following statement: The estimated cost of a building is based solely on the direct
cost of the building components.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is true only in the situation where the architect/engineer acts as the owner's
agent to oversee construction.
(3) This statement is false, because there are many non-component costs that form part of total
cost, such as contractor's overhead, staff, equipment, insurance, etc.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 3
Option (3) is correct, as this statement is false for the reason stated. Option (2) is incorrect as the
architect/engineer acting as owner's agent will not have this effect on overall cost.
5. Consider the following statement: Excessive settlement can result from decaying organic
material under the foundation.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is true only in the situation where a caisson foundation has been used.
(3) This statement is false, because settlement is caused by frost movement.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 1
The statement is true, so option (1) is correct. Option (2) is incorrect because a caisson
foundation
,should help control settlement. Option (3) is incorrect because settlement can be caused by
factors other
than just frost movement.
6. Consider the following statement: The only difference between a pile and a pier is that piles
typically use "spread footings", while piers are generally not "end-bearing".
(1) This statement is false because piles and piers differ in that a pile can be made of various
materials (wood, metal), while a pier is generally made of reinforced concrete.
(2) This statement is false because piles and piers differ in that a pile is driven, while a pier
requires excavation and placement.
(3) This statement is false because a pile does not sit on a footing or foundation.
(4) All of the options above are correct. correct answers Answer: 4
All three options are correct in outlining reasons why the statement is false; therefore option (4)
is
correct. Piles and piers differ in that a pile is driven, can be made of various materials (wood,
metal),
and does not sit on a footing or foundation; while a pier requires excavation and placement, is
always
end bearing, and is generally made of reinforced concrete. A spread footing is used for shallow
foundations
7. Which of the following is NOT a method of treating the exterior of the foundation system in
order to increase its general envelope performance (i.e., thermal or moisture protection)?
(1) Add waterproofing.
(2) Add rigid (foundation) insulation.
(3) Add steel reinforcement.
(4) Ensure proper drainage. correct answers Answer: 3
Steel reinforcement is added to improve the strength of the interior of the concrete structure. The
, exterior of the foundation can be treated in the following ways to increase its performance:
(i) Add waterproofing to protect basement from water seepage. This can be an oil-based product
brushed onto the exterior wall, or a membrane attached with adhesive.
(ii) Ensure proper drainage around foundation to divert water away from building. This drainage
is typically drain tile placed at the footing which drains to an adjacent lower level.
(iii) Add rigid (foundation) insulation to reduce thermal heat loss from basement and to prevent
frost damage below slab on grade structures
The next THREE (3) questions are based on the following information:
You have just received the engineering report for an office building you are developing. You
want to check the engineer's calculations for building load and foundation requirements. Your
foundation will rest on medium clay and the building columns will have a vertical load of 3,500
kN.
8. What is the minimum footing size for these columns? In your calculations, ignore the weight
of the footings themselves.
(1) 3.39 metres × 3.39 metres
(2) 4.27 metres × 4.27 metres
(3) 2.34 metres × 2.34 metres
(4) 6.04 metres × 6.04 metres correct answers nswer: 2
Medium clay has an allowable bearing pressure of 2 tsf or 192 kN/m (2 × 96). 2
Footing area = 3,500 kN ÷ 192 kN/m = 18.23 m 2 2
= 4.27 metres × 4.27 metres (rounded up slightly)
9. Assume you have designed your footings according to the strength considerations above. What
other engineering consideration must you consider when building directly on the in-situ clay
soil?
1. Consider the following statement: A "substructure" is required in a building only when there is
the potential for frost heaving or if underground parking is required.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is false, because a substructure is required for every building to transfer loads
from the building to the ground below, regardless of parking structures or frost heaving.
(3) This statement is false, because it is a "foundation" that is required in this situation, and not a
"substructure".
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 2
Option (2) is correct. Option (3) is incorrect because the terms "foundation" and "substructure"
are
synonymous.
2. Consider the following statement: In a rocky area, a single pile should not be used alone for
structural support because a driven pile could hit a rock and bend away from its intended
location.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is false, because a pilaster foundation should be used in rocky areas.
(3) This statement is false, because the allowable bearing pressure of rock is 100 tsf.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 1
Option (1) is correct. Option (2) is incorrect because a pilaster refers to a wall support. Option
(3) is
incorrect because the allowable bearing pressure of rock has no relevance to this question.
3. Which of the following types of foundations would be best described as a cylindrical site-cast
concrete foundation that penetrates through unsatisfactory soil to rest upon an underlying stratum
of rock or satisfactory soil?
,(1) Pile.
(2) Pier.
(3) Caisson.
(4) None of the above. correct answers Answer: 3
A caisson is a cylindrical site-cast concrete foundation that penetrates through unsatisfactory soil
to rest
up an underlying stratum of rock or satisfactory soil.
4. Consider the following statement: The estimated cost of a building is based solely on the direct
cost of the building components.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is true only in the situation where the architect/engineer acts as the owner's
agent to oversee construction.
(3) This statement is false, because there are many non-component costs that form part of total
cost, such as contractor's overhead, staff, equipment, insurance, etc.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 3
Option (3) is correct, as this statement is false for the reason stated. Option (2) is incorrect as the
architect/engineer acting as owner's agent will not have this effect on overall cost.
5. Consider the following statement: Excessive settlement can result from decaying organic
material under the foundation.
(1) This statement is true.
(2) This statement is true only in the situation where a caisson foundation has been used.
(3) This statement is false, because settlement is caused by frost movement.
(4) Both (2) and (3) are correct. correct answers Answer: 1
The statement is true, so option (1) is correct. Option (2) is incorrect because a caisson
foundation
,should help control settlement. Option (3) is incorrect because settlement can be caused by
factors other
than just frost movement.
6. Consider the following statement: The only difference between a pile and a pier is that piles
typically use "spread footings", while piers are generally not "end-bearing".
(1) This statement is false because piles and piers differ in that a pile can be made of various
materials (wood, metal), while a pier is generally made of reinforced concrete.
(2) This statement is false because piles and piers differ in that a pile is driven, while a pier
requires excavation and placement.
(3) This statement is false because a pile does not sit on a footing or foundation.
(4) All of the options above are correct. correct answers Answer: 4
All three options are correct in outlining reasons why the statement is false; therefore option (4)
is
correct. Piles and piers differ in that a pile is driven, can be made of various materials (wood,
metal),
and does not sit on a footing or foundation; while a pier requires excavation and placement, is
always
end bearing, and is generally made of reinforced concrete. A spread footing is used for shallow
foundations
7. Which of the following is NOT a method of treating the exterior of the foundation system in
order to increase its general envelope performance (i.e., thermal or moisture protection)?
(1) Add waterproofing.
(2) Add rigid (foundation) insulation.
(3) Add steel reinforcement.
(4) Ensure proper drainage. correct answers Answer: 3
Steel reinforcement is added to improve the strength of the interior of the concrete structure. The
, exterior of the foundation can be treated in the following ways to increase its performance:
(i) Add waterproofing to protect basement from water seepage. This can be an oil-based product
brushed onto the exterior wall, or a membrane attached with adhesive.
(ii) Ensure proper drainage around foundation to divert water away from building. This drainage
is typically drain tile placed at the footing which drains to an adjacent lower level.
(iii) Add rigid (foundation) insulation to reduce thermal heat loss from basement and to prevent
frost damage below slab on grade structures
The next THREE (3) questions are based on the following information:
You have just received the engineering report for an office building you are developing. You
want to check the engineer's calculations for building load and foundation requirements. Your
foundation will rest on medium clay and the building columns will have a vertical load of 3,500
kN.
8. What is the minimum footing size for these columns? In your calculations, ignore the weight
of the footings themselves.
(1) 3.39 metres × 3.39 metres
(2) 4.27 metres × 4.27 metres
(3) 2.34 metres × 2.34 metres
(4) 6.04 metres × 6.04 metres correct answers nswer: 2
Medium clay has an allowable bearing pressure of 2 tsf or 192 kN/m (2 × 96). 2
Footing area = 3,500 kN ÷ 192 kN/m = 18.23 m 2 2
= 4.27 metres × 4.27 metres (rounded up slightly)
9. Assume you have designed your footings according to the strength considerations above. What
other engineering consideration must you consider when building directly on the in-situ clay
soil?
