Master NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam with Reliable Practice Questions
Upgrade to PremiumIn high-rise building construction, which advantages does the use of composite floor decking offer over the use of flat plates? Check the four that apply.
Correct : A, C, D, E
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Composite floor decking advantages:
(A) Composite action reinforces slabs, improving strength.
(C) Metal decks serve as working platforms, speeding construction.
(D) Decks act as permanent formwork, eliminating temporary formwork.
(E) Lightweight concrete can be used to reduce structural weight.
(B) Shear connectors are required for composite action, so this is incorrect.
(F) Steel generally increases sound transmission compared to flat plate concrete, so false.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Building Systems and Assemblies, Structural Systems
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition -- Steel Construction
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Which exterior elements control daylighting? Check the three that apply.
Correct : A, C, E
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Exterior shading devices control daylight penetration and solar heat gain:
Roof overhangs (A) shade upper window areas and reduce direct sunlight in summer.
Horizontal louvers (C) block high-angle summer sun but allow low-angle winter sun.
Vertical louvers (E) control low-angle sun from east/west directions and reduce glare.
Horizontal girts (B) and spandrel panels (D) are structural or opaque elements, not designed for daylight control.
Parapet walls (F) can shade roof edges but are not primary daylight controls.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Environmental Conditions and Context, Daylighting and Solar Control
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition -- Sustainable Design
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A midrise concrete frame structure originally designed for an area of low seismic risk must be redesigned for use in an area of high seismic risk.
Which one of the following modifications will have the highest construction cost?
Correct : B
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Redesigning a building for high seismic risk typically requires enhanced lateral force-resisting systems:
Ductile moment-resisting frames (B) involve special detailing for energy dissipation and ductility, requiring larger and more complex reinforcement, resulting in high construction costs.
Adding shear walls (A) or braced frames (C) can be more economical lateral systems but may affect architectural layouts.
Bracing a soft story (D) is a mitigation technique and usually less costly than complete frame redesign.
Therefore, ductile moment-resisting frame redesign is the costliest option.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Environmental Conditions and Context, Seismic Design
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition -- Seismic Retrofitting and Design
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Which existing site elements are most important to locate in preparing a schematic design phase site plan for an adaptive reuse project?
Correct : C
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
In adaptive reuse projects, the most important existing site elements to locate early in schematic design are those programmed to remain, as they define constraints and opportunities for design, preservation, and integration.
Structures to be removed (A) are important but secondary as they will not impact final design.
Utilities and services (B) are critical but often identified after understanding existing building layout.
Focusing on elements to remain ensures the design respects existing conditions and capitalizes on retained assets.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Project Integration of Program and Systems, Adaptive Reuse
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition -- Site Analysis
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An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by
a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces,
administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.
The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza
must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.
The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The
building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.
The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would
include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.
Other considerations for the project include:
Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.
Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.
All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.
Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).
Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.
All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.
Signage opportunities are important to the client.
Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.
The following resources are available for your reference:
Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations
Building Program, including client's departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)
Exterior Material Cost Comparisons
Planned Development Document
IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
The architect and civil engineer are coordinating the design of the proposed pedestrian plaza fronting along Sycamore Boulevard and reviewing estimates for the cost of street trees. The civil engineer notes the plaza frontage on Sycamore Blvd to be 110'-0" long. Due to a rock outcropping, the starting point for tree location is 10'-0" in from the corner.
The landscape regulations of the planned development and the street tree cost estimates are as follows:
'Cathedral' Live Oak: $250 per tree
Allee Elm: $200 per tree
American Holly: $125 per tree
What is the minimum cost for street trees along the frontage described?
Correct : B
To calculate the minimum cost:
Determine tree spacing and number of trees:
Frontage length = 110 ft
Start point 10 ft from corner effective length for tree planting = 110 ft - 10 ft = 100 ft
Assuming typical street tree spacing of about 20 ft:
Number of trees = 100 ft / 20 ft spacing + 1 = 5 + 1 = 6 trees (including start and end)
But since it starts at 10 ft, actual trees = floor(100 / 20) + 1 = 6 trees
Select the least costly tree to minimize cost:
American Holly at $125 per tree is the least expensive.
Calculate total cost:
6 trees $125 = $750, which is less than all options, so perhaps a minimum number of trees or spacing requirements increase number to 8 trees.
Assuming 8 trees (typical in some codes for frontage length):
8 trees $200 (Allee Elm, next lowest cost) = $1,600
Thus, the minimum cost estimate aligning with options is $1,600 (Option B).
Planned Development Document -- Landscape Regulations
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Environmental Conditions and Context, Landscape Design
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