REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

Paix-Travail-Patrie Peace-Work-Fatherland
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MINISTERE DE LENSEIGNEMENT SEONDIRE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

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COMMISSION NATIONALE D’ORGANISATION NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE ORGANISATION

DES EXAMENS OF THE EXAMS
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Higher National Diploma 2023/2024Session

Specialty/Option: CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Nature of paper: Written
Paper: Construction Technology 4 hours

Instructions

 Please make sure you read the instructions carefully before you start the exam
 Answer all questions in the exam
 Make sure you are in possession of a paper numbered 1 to 2
 This paper is evaluated 100% for the total section of the paper which is divided into 4

You have just been recruited by a construction company charged with the construction of low
income houses for the population of Cameroon. This generally involves amongst others, site
investigation, setting up of foundations with adequate bearing capacity and acceptable
settlements, columns and beams with sufficient axial and shear strength, walls, roof, finishes and
closure not leaving out mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.

Throughout the construction work, as a young engineer at the beginning of your career, you are
expected to provide answers to the following questions to show proof of your competence.

PART I: CONSTRUCTION PROCESS AND PRELIMINARY SITE WORKS (4 MARKS)

1.1) Define site investigation and briefly explain the activities involved in site investigation.
(1.5 marks)
1.2) Define drainage and give the importance of drainage in construction works. (1.5 marks)
1.3) State the types of excavation involve in construction works. (1mark)
PART II: SUBSTRUCTURE (7 MARKS)

2.1) What do you understand by the bearing capacity of a foundation? (0.5 mark)

2.2) Differentiate between shallow and deep foundations and state the factors that influence the
choice of foundation type. (1 mark)

2.3) Which type of shallow foundation is suitable for the construction of a simple house in a
swampy area? Explain (1 mark)

2.4) Sketch the type of foundation in (2.3) above. (0.5 mark)

2.5) Define settlement and give its causes. (1 mark)

2.6) With the aid of diagrams, describe the failure modes of shallow foundations. (1 mark)

2.7) With the aid of diagrams, demonstrate the effective depth in the different types of shallow
foundations

2.8) What are gravity retaining walls? Name and draw two types. (1 mark)

PART III: SUPERSTRUCTURES (6 MARKS)

3.1) Differentiate between beams and columns on a building and state their functions. (1mark)

3.2) Define a roof and state its functions. (1 mark)

3.3) Define a wall and state the causes of cracks on walls. (1 mark)

3.4) Draw and label the diagram of a wooden frame and give the functions of the different parts.
(3 marks)

PART IV: BUILDING SERVICES AND EXTERNAL WORKS (3 MARKS)

4.1) Define sound insulation and state two importance. (1 mark)

4.2) Define thermal insulation and state two importance. (1mark)

4.3) State the two main types of circuit connections in homes. Which is better and why? (0.5 mark)

4.4) Give two importance of domestic Drainage. (0.5 mark)