Deck 11: Ground floors

Question 1

Hardcore is used in the construction of solid ground floors to

A) Reduce heat transmission from the building to the ground beneath
B) Reduce the formation of condensation in the floor structure
C) Prevent differential settlement between the floor structure and the surrounding external walls
D) Provide a dry, level surface for the floor slab
E) Reduce sound transmission from the building to the ground beneath

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Blinding is used in the construction of solid ground floors to

A) Lower the equilibrium moisture content in the concrete
B) Raise the equilibrium moisture content in the hardcore
C) Enable the thermal insulation to be laid below the slab
D) Prevent the thermal insulation becoming damp
E) Prevent the damp proof membrane being punctured

Answer 2

E

Question 3

A screed is used as a finish to solid ground floors mainly because

A) It increases the strength of the floor
B) It levels the surface of the floor
C) It provides a warm surface to the floor
D) It reduces rising damp through the floor
E) It enables the surface of the floor to be painted

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A damp proof membrane is used in a solid ground floor to prevent

A) Ground moisture entering the building
B) Leaks from kitchen appliances entering the screed
C) Condensation from corroding the reinforcement in the slab
D) Rain penetration from saturating the blinding
E) Water vapour from forming in the hardcore

Question 5

Sleeper walls are laid in a honeycomb bond in order to

A) Increase the loadbearing capacity of the wall
B) Provide a space for the installation of services beneath the floor
C) Allow the free circulation of air beneath the floor
D) Provide a space for the building in of the floor joists
E) Allow ground water to freely drain away

Question 6

Timber in suspended timber ground floor construction is susceptible to attack by dry rot fungus if its moisture content is greater than

A) 0.15
B) 0.2
C) 0.25
D) 0.3
E) 0.35

Question 7

A wall plate is incorporated into suspended timber ground floors to

A) Provide a fixing for the thermal insulation
B) Provide a fixing for the floor boards
C) Provide a means of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere
D) Provide a fixing for the floor joists
E) Provide a fixing for the damp proof membrane

Question 8

Suspended precast concrete ground floors do not use sleeper walls because

A) The floor beams are supported by the ground beneath
B) The floor blocks are supported by the ground beneath
C) The floor beams are supported by the external walls
D) The floor blocks are supported by the external walls
E) The floor screed is supported by the damp proof membrane

Question 9

Air bricks are used in suspended precast concrete ground floors because

A) The equilibrium moisture content of the concrete exceeds 10%
B) The floor screed contains lightweight aggregates
C) The air beneath the floor contains moisture from the ground
D) The air beneath the floor becomes stale
E) The thermal insulation to the property contains asbestos fibres

Question 10

A suspended concrete ground floor is specifically used when

A) The loadbearing capacity of the soil beneath is variable
B) The soil beneath contains Radon gas
C) The hardcore contains soluble salts
D) The hardcore is soft and crumbles easily
E) A monolithic screed is to be used