building construction Paper 2 Nov/Dec 2015

Question 2

 

 

  • a) sketch in elevation, the arrangement of steel reinforcement in a concrete lintel and label the following parts:
  • steel reinforcing bars;
  • links;
  • concrete cover to the steel reinforcement;
  • sandcrete blockwall.

b) State five stages involved in the production of adobe blocks with the excavated soil   
materials in place.
Some candidates were able to:

  • sketch the lintel in elevation;

However, majority of the candidates were unable to:

  • show the arrangement of steel reinforcement;
  • label the parts of the lintel correctly;
  • state the stages involved in production of adobe blocks.

 

 

Observation

 

 

The expected response to question 2 is as given below:
(a)                           
(b)        Sequence in Adobe wall construction
(1)        remove foreign material from the excavated soil heap;
(2)        open up and add water to break the lumps;
(3)        allowing four to seven days period to weather;
(4)        need to obtain a soft consistent clayey plastic mass;
(5)        mould the earth into blocks;
(6)        allow to cure and harden;
(7)        stack under shed for future use.