Question 1

There are four basic foundation designs from which to choose: basement, crawl space, ____, and piers, each of which can be constructed using a variety of materials and methods.
A) slab-on-grade
B) footings
C) columns
D) pallets

Accepted Answer

Slab-on-grade is a type of foundation design, complementing the list that includes basement, crawl space, and piers. It involves pouring concrete directly on the ground to create a solid base for the structure.

Question 2

Sites at risk for flooding should consider a ____ foundation to avoid problems.
A) column
B) pier
C) pallet
D) basement

Accepted Answer

Pier foundations elevate the structure above ground level, thus reducing the risk of flood damage by allowing water to flow underneath.

Question 3

Most foundations use ____ for some or all of their construction.
A) pozzolan
B) slag and fly ash
C) poured-in-place concrete
D) Portland cement

Accepted Answer

Poured-in-place concrete is commonly used in foundation construction due to its strength, durability, and ability to be molded into various shapes and sizes on-site.

Question 4

____ requires large amounts of energy to produce, so green builders may wish to lower the embodied energy in a structure by reducing the amount of concrete in a foundation as well as the amount of cement in the concrete mix.
A) Limestone
B) Silica
C) Slag
D) Portland cement

Accepted Answer

Portland cement requires large amounts of energy to produce, making it a significant contributor to the embodied energy in construction materials. Reducing its use can lower the overall energy footprint of a building.

Question 5

To reduce the amount of Portland cement in a concrete mixture, other materials must be substituted such as coal fly ash and ____.
A) ground granulated blast furnace slag
B) silica
C) common slag
D) limestone

Accepted Answer

Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is commonly used as a partial substitute for Portland cement in concrete mixtures due to its pozzolanic properties, which contribute to the strength and durability of the concrete.

Question 6

Portland and similar cements react with water (hydrate) to create a gel that hardens by absorbing ____.
A) nitrogen dioxide
B) carbon dioxide
C) carbon monoxide
D) hydrogen monoxide

Accepted Answer

Portland cement hardens by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, which reacts with the calcium compounds in the cement to form calcium carbonate, contributing to the hardening process.

Question 7

____ is a lightweight, air-entrained block that uses less energy to produce and is more energy-efficient than standard CMUs.
A) Autoclaved concrete
B) Aerated cement
C) Autoclaved aerated concrete
D) Aerated compacted cement

Accepted Answer

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a lightweight, precast, foam concrete building material that provides excellent insulation properties and is more energy-efficient than standard concrete masonry units (CMUs). It is made by adding a foaming agent to concrete in a mold, then wire-cutting blocks or panels from the resulting 'cake' and 'cooking' them with steam (autoclaving).

Question 8

____ blocks, a variation on the standard CMUs, are formed in two pieces with a piece of foam insulation installed between them, providing built-in insulation.
A) CPG
B) ARM
C) NRG
D) TNF

Accepted Answer

NRG blocks are designed with a layer of foam insulation between two concrete pieces, enhancing their insulating properties compared to standard concrete masonry units (CMUs).

Question 9

Typically made of foam, ____ are used to create exterior walls for both foundations and above-grade locations.
A) modern building blocks
B) insulated cement forms
C) concrete blocks
D) insulated concrete forms

Accepted Answer

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are typically made of foam and are used to create exterior walls for both foundations and above-grade locations, offering insulation and structural support.

Question 10

Although stucco is typically applied directly to the foundation, traditional brick or stone that ranges between ____ thick must be installed on a footing or brick ledge that requires additional concrete in the foundation structure.
A) 1" to 3"
B) 2" to 6"
C) 4" to 12"
D) 6" to 10"

Accepted Answer

Traditional brick or stone typically ranges in thickness from 4" to 12", necessitating a footing or brick ledge for support due to its weight and size, unlike stucco which can be applied directly to the foundation without additional support structures.

Question 11

For ____ construction, the perimeter footings, interior turn-downs, slab thickness, and reinforcing steel should be designed for the minimum sizes required for the structure and soil conditions.
A) slab-on-grade
B) piers
C) crawl space
D) pallet

Accepted Answer

Slab-on-grade construction involves a single concrete layer that serves as both the foundation and the floor. The design elements mentioned—perimeter footings, interior turn-downs, slab thickness, and reinforcing steel—are all critical components of slab-on-grade construction, tailored to meet the specific needs of the structure and the soil conditions it rests on.

Question 12

An appropriate choice for ____ climates, a pier foundation is also a good solution for a structure that may be at risk for high groundwater or flooding.
A) hot
B) cold
C) moderate
D) desert

Accepted Answer

The answer of An appropriate choice for ____ climates, a...

Question 13

____ beams are designed to span between piers or areas of solid soil as well as support the foundation and structure above them while not bearing directly on the soil below.
A) Auxiliary
B) Reinforcing
C) Rated
D) Grade

Accepted Answer

Grade beams are designed to span between piers or areas of solid soil and support the foundation and structure above them without bearing directly on the soil below.

Question 14

In prefabricated foundations, walls are placed on a bed of ____ rather than on a concrete footing, with the wall itself providing the structural rigidity instead of the footing.
A) wooden beams
B) gravel
C) sheet metal
D) sand

Accepted Answer

In prefabricated foundations, walls are typically placed on a bed of gravel. The gravel aids in drainage and helps distribute the load, while the wall provides the necessary structural rigidity.

Question 15

Prefabricated concrete foundations are a ____ concrete reinforced with concrete studs, header, and footer.
A) thin skin of high-pressure
B) 1" layer of low-pressure
C) thick layer of high-pressure
D) layer of foam and

Accepted Answer

Prefabricated concrete foundations are typically made with a thin skin of high-pressure concrete, which provides the necessary strength and durability for structural support.

Question 16

Foundations of wood are referred to as ____ foundations, and they can be fabricated in a shop or on the job site by using wood that is pressure-treated to withstand moisture and pest damage from ground contact.
A) permawood
B) woodgrain
C) solid wood
D) permanent wood

Accepted Answer

Permanent wood foundations are designed to withstand moisture and pest damage, using pressure-treated wood suitable for ground contact.

Question 17

____ is a chemical used in pressure-treated wood, including PWF and SIP foundations, to protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents.
A) Chromium copper dioxide
B) Copper sulfate
C) Chromated nitrogen arsenate
D) Chromated copper arsenate

Accepted Answer

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the chemical used in pressure-treated wood to protect it from rotting due to insects and microbial agents.

Question 18

When installed in moderate- to high-risk seismic design zones, prefabricated foundations are installed on poured-in-place footings instead of crushed stone to provide more resistance to ____.
A) tornadoes
B) floods
C) moisture
D) earthquakes

Accepted Answer

Prefabricated foundations installed on poured-in-place footings in seismic zones offer enhanced resistance to earthquakes by providing a more stable and secure base compared to crushed stone, which can shift during seismic activity.

Question 19

The process of directing groundwater away from the foundation and the home is generically known as ____.
A) drainage direction
B) floor drainage
C) foundation drainage
D) groundwater movement

Accepted Answer

Foundation drainage refers to systems or solutions designed to divert or direct water away from a building's foundation, preventing water damage and maintaining structural integrity.

Question 20

The ground around the house should slope away from the home at a minimum ____% grade (6" in 10') for at least the first 5'.
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 10

Accepted Answer

A 5% grade is recommended to ensure proper drainage away from the house, which helps prevent water accumulation and potential damage to the foundation.

Quiz 5: Foundations

There are four basic foundation designs from which to choose: basement, crawl space, ____, and piers, each of which can be constructed using a variety of materials and methods.

Sites at risk for flooding should consider a ____ foundation to avoid problems.

Most foundations use ____ for some or all of their construction.

____ requires large amounts of energy to produce, so green builders may wish to lower the embodied energy in a structure by reducing the amount of concrete in a foundation as well as the amount of cement in the concrete mix.

To reduce the amount of Portland cement in a concrete mixture, other materials must be substituted such as coal fly ash and ____.

Portland and similar cements react with water (hydrate) to create a gel that hardens by absorbing ____.

____ is a lightweight, air-entrained block that uses less energy to produce and is more energy-efficient than standard CMUs.

____ blocks, a variation on the standard CMUs, are formed in two pieces with a piece of foam insulation installed between them, providing built-in insulation.

Typically made of foam, ____ are used to create exterior walls for both foundations and above-grade locations.

Although stucco is typically applied directly to the foundation, traditional brick or stone that ranges between ____ thick must be installed on a footing or brick ledge that requires additional concrete in the foundation structure.

For ____ construction, the perimeter footings, interior turn-downs, slab thickness, and reinforcing steel should be designed for the minimum sizes required for the structure and soil conditions.

An appropriate choice for ____ climates, a pier foundation is also a good solution for a structure that may be at risk for high groundwater or flooding.

____ beams are designed to span between piers or areas of solid soil as well as support the foundation and structure above them while not bearing directly on the soil below.

In prefabricated foundations, walls are placed on a bed of ____ rather than on a concrete footing, with the wall itself providing the structural rigidity instead of the footing.

Prefabricated concrete foundations are a ____ concrete reinforced with concrete studs, header, and footer.

Foundations of wood are referred to as ____ foundations, and they can be fabricated in a shop or on the job site by using wood that is pressure-treated to withstand moisture and pest damage from ground contact.

____ is a chemical used in pressure-treated wood, including PWF and SIP foundations, to protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents.

When installed in moderate- to high-risk seismic design zones, prefabricated foundations are installed on poured-in-place footings instead of crushed stone to provide more resistance to ____.

The process of directing groundwater away from the foundation and the home is generically known as ____.

The ground around the house should slope away from the home at a minimum ____% grade (6" in 10') for at least the first 5'.