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UNIVERSITY OF VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Industrial & Vocational Technology
Bachelor of Technology in Building Services Technology
2021/ 2022(B1 & B2)
BS 105050 Construction Technology
Year I – Semester - I Examination - February – 2023
Instructions: This is a closed book examination
This paper contains 06 questions on 03 pages.
Answer 05 questions only
All questions carry equal marks
If you have any doubt as to the interpretation of the wording of a question, make your own decision
or assumption but clearly state on the answer script
Duration : 03 Hours
1. Suppose you are required to use ready-mix concrete for the 10th floor lift core concreting of an
apartment building project. The wall thickness is 225mm and the full height of the wall (3.5m) is going
to be cast as a single pour. The site is situated in an urban area and the nearest batching plant is
located 8km away from the site. A mobile boom pump car shall be to be used to pump concrete for
the wall.
a. Write three types of most commonly used admixture types in concrete industry with their
functions. (02 Marks)
b. Out of these admixture types, propose suitable admixture type(s) for the above work and
explain why? (05 Marks)
c. What are the fresh and hardened properties of concrete and relevant tests available to check
these properties? (05 Marks)
d. Explain the term “Segregation” in concrete technology. Discuss how to eliminate concrete
segregation in wall concreting. (03 Marks)
e) During the concreting time of the aforesaid wall, concreting work has been interrupted for a
1.5h period due to a power failure at the site. When removing the formwork of the wall, it
was noted that a weak horizontal joint through the wall thickness and later it was identified
as a cold joint.
What is Cold joint? Explain how cold joints are formed in concrete? (05Marks)
Page 1 of 3
2. A 25-storied building with two levels of basements is to be constructed in a highly congested area of
Colombo city. The anticipated depth of excavation is 8m. The available information indicates
groundwater table is at a depth of 1.5m and there are buildings founded on shallow foundations at a
distance about 3m from the proposed excavation boundary. Some buildings of archaeological
importance are also there in the close vicinity. The excavation is proposed to be done using 12m
deep secant pile wall.
a) What are the information you would gather during the desk study stage of the project?
(03 Marks)
b) Briefly explain the secant pile wall construction sequence. (05 Marks)
c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of secant pile wall. (04 Marks)
d) Suggest a suitable method of dewatering and explain the mechanism with suitable sketches.
(04 Marks)
e) What are the main requirements of basement waterproofing? (04 Marks)
3)
a) Briefly explain the requirement of reinforcement steel (02 Marks)
b) Explain the requirement of formwork in concrete structure including the factors affecting for quality
of formwork (05 Marks)
c) Briefly explain main three factors affecting to select suitable foundation type. (05 Marks)
d) Briefly explain that type of scaffoldings? (08 Marks)
4) .
a) Distinguish between R.C.C. Framed structures and Steel Framed structures. (05 Marks)
b) State advantage and disadvantages of pre cast concrete. (05 Marks)
c) Draw neat sketch and name all the important members of a Timber framed window and its sash.
(05 Marks)
d) Compare “Reinforced concrete flat Roof “and “Pitched Roof” used in building construction.
(05 Marks)
5) External walls are vertical elements which enclose the building. In the design of the specified building.
a) Briefly explain the main performance criteria directly related to the construction of external walls.
(05 Marks)
b) Briefly define purpose of the Damp Proof Course including places where it applicable (05 Marks)
c) Draw a neat sketch of two-brick thick English bond pattern. You are expected to draw plan view for
two courses and the elevation (06 Marks)
d) Write down four site tests which can be carried out to determine the quality of bricks. (04 Marks)
6)
a) Write five important considerations in designing a disable ramp for a commercial building. Use
sketches where necessary. (05 Marks)
b) Briefly explain on four of followings?
Page 2 of 3
1. Building Regulations
2. Land Subdivision
3. Road frontage
4. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
5. Floor area Ratio
(10 Marks)
c) Name Ten (10) important regulatory bodies which are needed for building construction.
(05 Marks)
Page 3 of 3
