2012.

M76

Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit

State Examinations Commission

Leaving Certificate Examination, 2012

Construction Studies
Theory - Higher Level
(300 marks)

Friday, 15 June
Afternoon, 2:00 to 5:00

(a) Answer Question 1 and four other questions.

(b) All questions carry equal marks.
(c) Answers must be written in ink.
(d) Drawings and sketches to be made in pencil.
(e) Write the number of the question distinctly before each answer.
(f) Neat freehand sketches to illustrate written descriptions should be made.
(g) The name, sizes, dimensions and other necessary particulars of each material
indicated must be noted on the drawings.

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1. A triple-glazed bay window projects 1.5 metres from the external wall of a dwelling house, as shown in
the accompanying sketch. The external wall is a 350 mm concrete block wall with an insulated cavity.
The lean-to roof is an insulated slated roof and has a pitch of 30°.
Insulated plasterboard is fixed to the underside of the rafters to form a
sloped ceiling.
(a) To a scale of 1:5, draw a vertical section through the window,
roof and front wall of the house. The section should show the
typical construction details from 400 mm below the concrete
lintels of the bay window, through the fixed frame of the
window, wallplate and rafter to a level 400 mm above the
abutment of the lean-to roof and the front wall of the house.
(b) Indicate on your drawing the design detailing that ensures moisture does not penetrate at the
abutment of the roof and the wall of the house.

2. (a) Discuss in detail, using notes and freehand sketches, two functional requirements of a dwelling
house designed for lifetime use. Refer in particular to the:
• main entrance and
• internal corridor layout.
(b) The layout of a bedroom and an adjoining bathroom,
which is 2.3 m × 2.9 m, is shown in the
accompanying drawing. The hot press is also shown.
Using notes and freehand sketches, show a preferred
layout for the bathroom space to ensure that it is
suitable for a person in a wheelchair. Indicate in your
design sketches the location of the following:
window, shower area, toilet, wash hand basin and
grab rails.
Include three typical dimensions.
(c) Discuss your preferred location for the bathroom items listed at 2(b) above.

3. The drawing shows the elevation and plan of a semi-detached house with an adjoining storeroom.
All external walls are of single leaf 215 mm hollow block
construction and all roofs are slated. All internal walls are of
solid block construction and the internal wall A-A is
load-bearing. The storeroom wall B-B is south facing.
It has been decided to convert the storeroom in order to enlarge
the living space.
In the conversion, you need to give consideration to:
• redesigning the ground floor layout to allow increased
penetration of sunlight to the interior
and
• upgrading the thermal properties of the external walls.

(a) Show, using notes and freehand sketches, a revised design

detailing for the dwelling house.

(b) For each of the above, discuss in detail the reasons for your
proposed design choices.

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4. The typical layout of an on-site wastewater treatment system suitable for a single house is shown in the
accompanying drawing.
(a) Describe in detail, using notes and freehand sketches, the operating principles of a conventional
septic tank system.
(b) Show, using notes and freehand sketches, the
typical design detailing for the percolation
area to ensure the safe treatment of waste
from the septic tank. Include dimensions as
appropriate.
(c) Discuss in detail three reasons why a
proposed site for a dwelling house may be
unsuitable for a conventional septic tank
wastewater treatment system.

5. A house built in the 1970s has an un-insulated solid concrete ground floor with a sand/cement fine screed
finish.

(a) Calculate the U-value of the concrete ground floor given the following data:
Sand/cement fine screed thickness 60 mm
Concrete floor slab thickness 100 mm
Damp proof membrane (DPM) thickness 0.25 mm
Sand blinding thickness 50 mm
Hardcore thickness 225 mm
Subsoil thickness 300 mm

Thermal data of concrete ground floor:

Resistance of internal surface (R) 0.104 m2 °C/W
Resistivity of fine screed (r) 0.710 m °C/W
Conductivity of concrete floor slab (k) 0.160 W/m °C
Conductivity of DPM (k) 0.250 W/m °C
Conductivity of sand blinding (k) 0.160 W/m °C
Conductivity of hardcore (k) 1.330 W/m °C
Conductivity of subsoil (k) 1.800 W/m °C

(b) Using the U-value of the concrete ground floor obtained at 5(a) above and the following data,
calculate the cost of heat lost annually through the un-insulated concrete floor slab:
Dimensions of floor 9.0 metres × 7.0 metres
Average internal temperature 20° C
Average external temperature of subsoil 5° C
Heating period 12 hours per day for 40 weeks per annum
Cost of oil 85 cent per litre
Calorific value of oil 37350 kJ per litre
1000 Watts 1 kJ per second.

(c) An insulated concrete ground floor is designed to prevent the penetration of radon gas through the
floor and to meet the Passive House standard. Using notes and freehand sketches, show the typical
design detailing for such a floor.

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6. The elevation and ground floor plan of a house are shown. The house has a study / office as shown and
also has three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.
The external wall is of timber frame construction
with a concrete block outer leaf.
The house is designed to have low environmental
impact, reflecting the sustainable ideal of doing more
with less for longer.

(a) With reference to the design shown, discuss in

detail, using notes and freehand sketches,
three features of the design that reflect the
sustainable ideal of doing more with less for
longer.

(b) Discuss in detail the importance of each of the

following when designing an environmentally
sustainable dwelling house:
• orientation of house
• flexibility of design
• sourcing of materials.

7. The main entrance door to a two storey dwelling house is a four-panel solid wooden door. The external
wall in which the door is fitted is of timber frame construction with a rendered concrete block outer leaf.
This wall supports the first floor joists, as shown in the accompanying outline drawing.

(a) To a scale of 1:5, draw a vertical section through a portion of the external
wall, doorframe, door and first floor joists. The section should show the
typical construction details from 400 mm below the top of the door to a
level 500 mm above the first floor joists. Include typical dimensions.

(b) Show clearly on your drawing the position of the vapour control layer to
ensure an airtight structure.

8. (a) Show, using notes and freehand sketches, the correct wiring layout for two electrical sockets in a
ring mains circuit for a domestic electrical installation. Indicate on your sketch the sizes and the
colour coding of all electrical cables used in the circuit.

(b) Show, using notes and freehand sketches, two safety features that should be incorporated into the
design of the above circuit to ensure that the circuit is safe for all users.

(c) Discuss in detail two strategies that would ensure the economical use of electricity in the home.

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9. Designing for airtightness presents one of the most challenging aspects of
contemporary house design.

(a) Discuss in detail the importance of careful design detailing in improving

the airtightness performance of a dwelling house.

(b) The drawing shows an outline section through a portion of a single storey
house of timber frame construction. The outer leaf is of rendered concrete
block and the ground floor is an insulated solid concrete floor.
Select any three locations from those circled on the sketch and show, using
notes and freehand sketches, the typical design detailing which will prevent
air leakage at each of the locations selected.

(c) Discuss the advantages of including a service cavity in an external wall of timber frame
construction, as shown in the accompanying sketch.

10. (a) Using notes and freehand sketches as appropriate, discuss in detail the importance of any two of
the following in the design of a Passive House:
• building form
• indoor environment
• energy performance.

(b) It is proposed to install a Mechanical Heat Recovery with Ventilation (MHRV) system for a
Passive House, as shown in the drawing. The
location of the MHRV unit - M - in the utility
room is shown.
Draw a single line diagram of the given plan
and show a typical design layout for the ducting
to such a unit. Indicate clearly the direction of
airflow in all the ducts and describe how a
Mechanical Heat Recovery with Ventilation
(MHRV) system works.

Note:
While a plan of the room layout is required, it is not necessary to show the furniture.

(c) Discuss in detail two advantages and two disadvantages of Passive House construction.

OR

10. “A sustainable ethos in building will require the consideration of environmental implications associated
with design, construction and operation of buildings and neighbourhoods; and greater emphasis on the
improvement of existing buildings. Most buildings are used for several decades, and many survive for
centuries. As the community’s principal physical asset, getting good value requires that the building’s
full life cycle be considered, avoiding short-sighted attempts to merely minimise initial cost.”
THE GREEN VITRUVIUS – PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (2011)
by Vivienne Brophy and J Owen Lewis (UCD). - Earthscan Ltd, 14a St Cross Street, London ECIN 8XA, UK

Discuss the above statement in detail and propose three guidelines that would promote the development
of environmentally sustainable housing in Ireland.

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