Are Spd - Sample Problems

1. What is especially important in designing roads for drainage?

a) curbs and gutters
b) crown
c) catch basin
d) superelevation

2. Wastewater flows because of differences in elevation

a) between catch basin entrances
b) between storm sewer vents
c) between drain inlets
d) along inverts

3. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

a) A 1-1/2% slope is suitable for rough paving.
b) Landscaped areas near buildings should have at least a 2% slope away from the structure.
c) A safe sidewalk slopes no more than 2-1/2%.
d) Roads in northern climates can safely have up to a 12% grade.

4. A soil investigation for a building site reveals that the soil type is sandy clay and that bentonite is present. Which of the following foundation types would be most appropriate?

a) spread footings
b) mat foundation
c) belled piers
d) grade beam on piers

6. What is the maximum slope on which it is feasible to plant grass?

a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 15%
d) 25%

7. How does a retention pond manage stormwater runoff?

a) by slowing it and allowing sediments to settle while letting water seep into the ground
b) by holding the excess until it can discharge at a controlled rate into the storm sewer system
c) by preventing it from contaminating other portions of the site
d) by retaining it until it can seep into the ground

8. What is the recommended maximum slope for a paved parking area?

a) 1%
b) 3%
c) 5%
d) 10%

9. On a site with extensive development of buildings, roads, and parking, which change in drainage would have the most significant negative impact?

a) a decrease in pervious paving
b) an increase in water held on site
c) an increase in the number of drainage grates
d) an increase in the overall runoff coefficient

10. Reinforced concrete or masonry retaining walls are usually necessary when

a) the height of the wall exceeds 4 ft
b) expansive clay soil is present
c) the groundwater level is above the lowest exposed portion of the wall
d) drainage behind the retaining wall is a problem

11. Information about the elevations or contours of a building site is found in a

a) deed of trust
b) metes and bounds description
c) plat
d) survey

12. Information about street drainage in a city would be obtained by contacting the city's

a) public works department
b) building department
c) planning department
d) department of highways

13. Information on the bearing capacity of soil is obtained from the

a) city engineer
b) general contractor
c) structural engineer
d) geotechnical consultant

14. In order to strengthen the sense of neighborhood and community, a developer constructs a public square in the middle of a housing development. The public square is an example of

a) a landmark
b) an edge
c) a district
d) a node

15. Several sites are being considered for the construction of a new community college. The most appropriate site would be the one adjacent to

a) two major intersecting highways
b) libraries and shopping
c) a technology-oriented office campus
d) a residential neighborhood and public transportation

16. The construction of a large general hospital is being planned for a neighborhood that lies between an outer edge of a downtown area and a medium- to high-density housing area. There are already smaller clinics and doctors' offices in the area. The following concerns have been addressed in the design of the hospital building. In presenting the project to the city planning board,which concern should the architect emphasize?

a) The proposed street closure, planned in order to expand the building site, will not affect traffic.
b) Sufficient parking will be made available on the project site.
c) The bulk of the building design will not block sunlight from the housing.
d) Sewer and water services will not have to be expanded to serve the building

17. Which of the following design features would have the most detrimental effect on the environment of the surrounding neighborhood in an urban setting?

a) square building shape
b) dark exterior colors
c) extensive exterior paving
d) reflective glass

18. In a dense urban context, site analysis prior to design should include studies of which of the following? (Choose the four that apply.)

a) solar shading
b) drainage
c) imageability
d) surrounding historical context
e) land values
f) views

19. With regard to the theories of proxemics, which approach to the design of a plaza would probably accommodate the most people while allowing individuals to maintain comfortable personal space distances?

a) a large, flat, open space with trees defining the perimeter
b) a heavily landscaped area with areas of lawn
c) an amphitheater with bench-type seating in raised tiers
d) a space with various levels, benches, and spaces defined by low walls

21. What is the minimum outside radius for an automobile cul-de-sac with no parking?

a) 20 ft
b) 30 ft
c) 40 ft
d) 50 ft

24. Which type of road needs the widest right-of-way?

a) street
b) main street
c) avenue
d) boulevard

25. Where are utilities commonly located?

a) under streets
b) anywhere in the right-of-way
c) under sidewalks and curb lanes
d) under streets or sidewalks

26. What area per car should be used to estimate the required size of a parking lot and related drives?

a) 200 sf/car
b) 300 sf/car
c) 400 sf/car
d) 500 sf/car

27. Local zoning regulations require 550 parking spaces for a large manufacturing plant and office facility. Parking, drives, and related walks must also be accounted for. For preliminary planning purposes, what is the minimum required parking lot size?

a) 3 ac
b) 4 ac
c) 5 ac
d) 6 ac

28. The recommended minimum width for a sidewalk is ____ ft. (Fill in the blank.)

30. Which of the following would result in the best site circulation?

I. planning the service entry drive separate from the automobile entry and drive
II. making parking areas oversized to accommodate pedestrian circulation
III. designing all two-way roads at least 24 ft wide
IV. limiting parking area traffic to a single entrance away from pedestrian walks
V. laying out walks parallel to parking areas

a) I, III, and IV
b) I, III, and V
c) II, IV, and V
d) I, III, IV, and V

31. To determine the minimum parking requirements for site development, the architect should first consult

a) ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines
b) development covenants
c) the local building code
d) zoning regulations

32. If land is limited, which of the following is the best way to plan parking lots?

a) two-way circulation with 90° parking on both sides of a drive
b) 30° parking on both sides of a one-way loop system
c) combining service circulation with parking at a 45° angle
d) 90° parking on one side of a one-way circulation drive

33. The fraction of radiant energy reflected from a surface relative to the total radiant energy received by the surface is called

a) albedo
b) conductivity
c) insolation
d) radiant fraction

34. In the Northern Hemisphere, the optimum tilt angle of an active solar collector for year-round use is approximately equal to the

a) solar altitude on the spring and fall equinoxes
b) solar altitude on the winter solstice
c) building's latitude
d) building's latitude plus 15°

35. For overall energy conservation and cost-effectiveness in a temperate climate, the most advantageous type of earth-sheltered building would be one that is

a) built into the side of a south-facing hill
b) above ground with earth bermed against all sides
c) above ground with a thick covering of earth and vegetation on the roof
d) completely underground with a central court that is open to the sky

36. A small building is being designed for a site in Minnesota. If it's desired to minimize reliance on mechanical systems, which of the following design strategies should be incorporated? (Choose the three that apply.)

a) maximize south-facing windows
b) incorporate high ceilings
c) design a compact form
d) use dark colors for the building exterior
e) minimize interior thermal mass
f) use evergreen trees on the south side of the building

37. A row of trees of moderate density will reduce the wind velocity on the leeward side by about 30% to 40% up to about

a) three times the height of the trees
b) five times the height of the trees
c) seven times the height of the trees
d) nine times the height of the trees

39. Potential overheating of a medical clinic in a temperate climate could be minimized by

a) designing an overhang for the west and east sides of the building
b) planning a building shape to minimize the surface area of south-facing walls
c) having a landscape architect specify deciduous trees near the south elevation
d) all of the above

40. What term describes a land measure that is 6 mi on a side?

a) section
b) check
c) township
d) range

41. Under the IBC, what is the maximum allowable floor area of a sprinklered, two-story, Type III B, Group B occupancy building that has access on 20% of its perimeter?

a) 38,000 sf
b) 57,000 sf
c) 76,000 sf
d) 114,000 sf

43. According to ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines, what is the maximum allowable vertical change of level on an accessibe route without using a ramp or bevel?

a) 1/8 in
b) 1/4 in
c) 3/8 in
d) 1/2 in

44. Which of the following would have the LEAST effect on the maximum height of a building?

a) bulk plane restrictions
b) floor area ratios
c) zoning setbacks
d) occupancy group

45. An accessible route must serve

a) all accessible spaces and parts of a building
b) the corridors, stairs, elevators, and toilet rooms of a building
c) entrances, parking, toilet rooms, corridors, and drinking fountains
d) those areas where physically disabled people are likely to need access

46. Which of the following are typically regulated by zoning ordinances? (Choose the four that apply.)

a) how a property is used
b) types of exterior materials
c) floor area ratios
d) number of loading spaces
e) minimum amount of window exposure
f) distances from property line to building

47. Which of the following areas of a building are considered parts of the means of egress?

I. storeroom
II. corridor
III. enclosed stairway
IV. exterior courtyard
V. public sidewalk

a) I, II, and III
b) I, III, and IV
c) I, II, III, and IV
d) I, II, III, IV, and V

49. Setback distances are determined by a city's

a) building code
b) zoning code
c) development agency
d) planning office

50. The maximum allowable area of a building is limited by a combination of

a) floor area ratio and construction type
b) occupancy group and setback requirements
c) bulk plane limits and floor area ratio
d) construction type and setback requirements

51. What factors determine the total allowable area and height of a building? (Choose the four that apply.)

a) construction type
b) occupancy group
c) number of exits from the building
d) separation between adjacent buildings
e) combustibility of exterior materials
f) whether or not the building has a sprinkler system

52. A property's boundaries are commonly described with

a) metes and bounds
b) reference to a section and township
c) location within a subdivision
d) all of the above

53. Of the following remedial actions, which would most effectively provide a cooler microclimate for an existing building over the long term?

a) plant deciduous trees to the south of the building
b) move the asphalt parking lot on the south to the east and replace it with vegetation
c) build a pond on the windward side of the building
d) plant coniferous trees on the west side of the building

54. An architect can best discourage criminal activity in a street-level apartment lobby by applying which of the following design strategies?

a) separating the lobby and the street with a large expanse of glass
b) changing the paving texture at the property line
c) clearly marking the entrance with a "Residents Only" sign
d) adding a bright light over the door

55. Which of the following is NOT and effective security strategy for the exterior of a retail store?

a) provide two entrances on opposite sides of the facade
b) minimize the number of signs on the front windows
c) place the cash-wrap area near the front of the store
d) keep the exterior of the store well lit

56. An architect is developing a site plan for a building that is adjacent to a highway. Which of the following strategies is best for attenuating noise?

a) maximize the distance between the new building and the highway
b) construct a masonry wall as high as possible next to the highway
c) plant a combination of deciduous and evergreen trees 100 ft deep
d) locate the building as far from the highway as possible and plant a row of evergreen trees

57. In regard to blast security, the space between a buliding and the outermost secured perimeter is called the

a) blast reduction zone
b) perimeter defense area
c) security setback
d) standoff distance

58. An architect is developing a site plan for a developed property with an existing building. The building is in good condition and was used for the same purpose as the client's proposed use of the site. Which of the following four strategies would earn the greatest number of points within the LEED 2009 for New Construction rating system?

a) maintain at least 50% of the interior nonstructural elements
b) remove the building and recycle and/or salvage at least 50% of construction and demolition debris
c) maintain at least 95% of the existing walls, floors, and roof
d) reuse materials from the site that amount to 5% by cost of the total value of materials on the project

59. Which of the following is NOT a method of estimating the volume of cut and fill?

a) contour area method
b) end area method
c) elevation estimation
d) calculation by grid

what type of circulation system responds most sympathetically to the existing natural environment?

a) grid system

b) linear system

c) curvilinear system

d)radial system

to move large volumes of traffic at high speed, the most effective type of circulation system is:

a) highways

b) expressways

c) arterial

d) distributors

land use development patterns are most frequently determined by:

a) topographic factors

b) climatic factors

c) utility systems

d) street systems

the primary advantage of 60-degree parking is that it:

a) saves space

b) is easier to use

c) is safer to use

d) costs less to construct

a neighborhood shopping center is best located at:

a) the intersection of an arterial and collector street

b)the intersection of two local streets

c) the foot of an expressways

d) the interchange of an expressway

from among the following street design criteria, select those that are correct:

I. curb radii should be 12 ft min

II. compound curves are preferred over simple curves

III. traffic lanes should be about 12 ft wide

IV. parking lanes should generally be avoided

V. intersections should be at right angles wherever possible

a) I and IV

b) I, II, and V

c) II, III, and IV

d) I, III, and V

power lines are generally located above, rather than below, ground because they are:

a) easier to repair

b) faster to install

c) less costly

d) less dangerous

From among the following handicapped design criteria, select the INCORRECT statement:

a) wheelchair paths should not exceed 1:20 grade

b) wheelchair ramps should not exceed 1:12 grade

c) wheelchair ramps should not exceed 30 ft in length

d) wheelchair turning spaces should not be less than 3 sf.

which of the following should be avoided in the design of a large parking lot?

I. acute angle parking

II. ramped exit driveway

III. dead level paved areas

IV. dead end aisles

V. pedestrian circulation

a)III and IV

b) III and V

c) I, II, and V

d) II, III and IV

the primary objective of good pedestrian circulation is:

a) economy

b) permanence

c) safety

d) speed

Which of the following is generally NOT given in a writtensubsurface investigation report?

a) Results of field tests

b) Results of laboratory tests

c) Recommended types of foundations

d) Soil sieve analysis

Which of the following defines the sudden loss ofshearing resistance in a cohesionless soil?

a) Plasticity

b) Liquefaction

c) A collapsing soil

d) An expansive soil

A measure of the ease with which a particular fluid flowsthrough the voids of a soil is called:

a) permeability

b) compressibility

c) osmosis

d) cohesion

Building failure can often be traced to unstable subsoilconditions. Which of the following subsurface conditionsis likely to cause differential settlement of buildingfoundations?

a) large beds of clay contained in gravel

b) small boulders dispersed in gravel

c) stratified rock

d) a deep layer of dry sand and gravel

In a residential development composed of large buildinglots, on-site sewage disposal for each lot is permittedsubject to the suitability of the soil. Which of thefollowing soil investigations should the architect request?

a) percolation test

b) evaporation test

c) test for soil alkalinity

d) test for soil density

Which of the following would be the best design-with climatestrategy in the layout of a new town in a coolregion such as Winnipeg or Minneapolis?

a) The town structure should be densely grouped; largerbuilding units may be grouped close together butspaced to utilize sun-heat effects, and the layoutshould provide a sheltering effect against winds.

b) The preferred design is an open and free layoutof buildings that tend to merge with nature.

c) The town structure should be dense and provideshade, and unit dwellings or groups of buildings shouldcreate court-like areas.

d) Buildings should be separated to utilize air movements,and the character of the town fabric should be looseand scattered.

Which of the following loads defines the force fluids exerton structures?

a) hydrostatic

b) dynamic

c) water

d) edge

Assume a project site of 50,000 square feet of land areaand 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area.At a ratio of 3 square feet of parking area to 1 square footof gross building area, how many parking spaces arerequired at 400 square feet per car?

Easements are generally placed on private propertyto accommodate which of the following?

a) daylight

b) landscaping

c) access

d) setbacks

The characteristic of an existing structure that willdirectly affect the thermal environment of adjacentnew construction is its:

a) mechanical systems

b) texture

c) shadow pattern

d) footprint

Costs for cutting and filling earth on site are typicallycalculated by which of the following?

a) square yards

b) cubic yards

c) acres

d) tonnage

the most important factor for locating a new retail center is:

a) accessibility to market area traffic

b) the availability of utilities

c) a well-drained level site

d) proximity to employment zone areas

in cold climates, vapor barriers are desirable below attic insulation because:

a) minimize moisture migration

b) serve as secondary water proofing

c) support the insulation

d) provide protection from insect infestation

the process of stripping existing vegetation from a site can cause:

a) pollution

b) disorientation

c) defoliation

d) erosion

Land use restrictions imposed by local governmentalauthorities include all of the following EXCEPT:

a) set backs

b) covenants

c) height and area limitation

d) zoning

All of the following are considered land userestrictions EXCEPT:

a) height and area limitations

b) accessibility regulations

c) zoning ordinances

d) set back regulations

Foundation design in northern climates can requirefootings to be as deep as 5 feet belowgrade for which of the following reasons?

a) protect against snow drifts

b) rest on undisturbed soil

c) be below frost level

d) resist earthquakes

The practice of balancing cut and fill is used in:

a) site grading

b) sediment control

c) land reclamation

d) footing excavation

A roof overhang on which of the following façades of abuilding built in the northern hemisphere will provideseasonal adjustment for solar radiation?

a) north

b) south

c) east

d) west

What is the term for the boundaries, property lines, orlimits of a parcel of land, as defined by distances andcompass bearings?

a) chaining

b) datum

c) benchmarks

d) metes and bounds

Since contamination in soil typically leads to groundwatercontamination, which of the following cleanuptechnologiescan be used to remediate the unsaturated zone?

a) vapor extraction

b) biodegradation

c) in situ incineration

d) photolysis

Which of the following technologies is most commonlyused in groundwater remediation projects?

a) extraction/treatment

b) in situ aeration

c) biological barriers/filters

d) gas chromatography

After sight, which of the following senses is primary toconveying information about a site?

a) touch

b) hearing

c) smell

d) taste

The development potential of a parcel of land can beaffected by the presence of all of the following EXCEPT :

a) wetlands

b) endangered species

c) acid rain

d) hazardous waste

Zoning ordinances promote social vitality within a citywhen they include:

a) strict zoning by land-use category

b) high-rise buildings in a park-like setting

c) mixed use and overlay zoning

d) flexible car-parking ratios

Which of the following is the most important factor inorientation of residential units?

a) bedrooms should face away from harsh winds

b) as many units as possible should be entirely masked from breezes

c) west facing units are a premium

d) each unit should receive sun for at least part of a winter day

Restrictive covenants are typically developed on behalf of:

a) property owners

b) city officials

c) design professionals

d) civil engineers

The term “right-of-way” is used to describe:

a) the right to have first opportunity to purchase real estate when it becomes available

b) the right of taking of land by entering on it in a peaceable manner

c) a right belonging to a party to pass over land of another

d) a right to cross a picket line during a strike

A nonconforming but legal structure that existed priorto the enactment of a land use ordinance is said to be:

a) an easement

b) dedicated

c) aggrieved

d) grandfathered

Which of the following is correct concerning residentialzoning adjacent to a typical central business district?

a) it should be prohibited because land costs are too high

b) it should be maintained as a viable community asset

c) all substandard existing units should be converted to commercial use

d) future units should be available to low-income and elderly families only

Topography is the most critical criterion when routingwhich of the following utility lines?

a) water

b) electrical

c) natural gas

d) storm sewer

Water-detention areas are used primarily for which ofthe following?

a) to create swimming and recreation areas

b) to provide aesthetically pleasing vistas

c) to control surface water runoff

d) to act as reservoirs in periods of drought

Which of the following is NOT considered anenvironmental impact issue for site analysis?

a) reflections

b) air movement

c) archaeological finds

d) sun and shadow patterns

Increased moisture content in bearing soils can have whichof the following effects? Check the two that apply.

a) change in volume

b) reduction in bearing capacity

c) increased cohesion

d) decreased compatibility

Methods to reduce potential vertical movement to aproposed building due to expansive clay soil conditionswould include the following? Check the four that apply.

a) Over-excavate below footing grade and fill withcompacted gravel.

b) Waterproof the foundation to reduce filtration

c) Extend footings and foundations to a depth ofconsistent ground moisture

d) Drain surface water away from building foundation

e) Plant trees near the building to stabilize the ground

f) Control roof water runoff