NCARB PDD Exam Dumps

Purpose of the Air Space in Brick Veneer Walls

In a typical brick veneer cavity wall assembly, there is an air space between the back side of the brick and the sheathing (or water-resistive barrier) of the structural wall. This space is typically 1 to 2 inches wide and serves several critical functions:

Moisture Drainage and Ventilation

Rainwater can penetrate brick veneer through joints and cracks.

The air cavity allows water to drain down the back of the veneer to flashing and out through weep holes.

It also provides ventilation to help dry out the wall assembly.

Minimizing Mortar Bridging

During construction, mortar can drop down into the cavity from bricklaying.

If mortar bridges across to the sheathing, it can create a path for moisture to move into the structure.

The 2-inch cavity helps reduce the chance that mortar droppings will fully bridge the gap, ensuring the drainage plane stays functional.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A . To meet the minimum R-value --- The air space in brick veneer is not designed as insulation; its thermal benefit is minimal compared to continuous insulation layers.

B . Allow for differential movement --- Brick veneer differential movement is accommodated by wall ties and control joints, not by the air cavity.

C . Provide space for roof drain piping --- Roof drainage piping is routed separately and is not part of the brick veneer cavity design.

NCARB ARE 5.0 PDD Study Guide Reference:

Content Area: Building Envelope Systems --- Masonry Wall Assemblies

Source Reference:

Building Construction Illustrated (Ching) --- Brick Veneer Wall Sections and Cavity Function

Architectural Graphic Standards --- Masonry Veneer Construction Details

BIA (Brick Industry Association) Technical Notes 21 & 21A --- Cavity Wall Design and Construction

Key Principle: A 2-inch air cavity behind brick veneer is primarily to ensure proper drainage and to minimize mortar bridging, which would otherwise allow moisture intrusion into the building.

Sheet piling is a type of earth retention system used in excavations to prevent soil collapse. Reasons include:

D . When the natural soil slope is too steep to remain stable, sheet piling acts as a vertical barrier.

E . When soil cannot support itself during excavation, sheet piles provide lateral support.

F . When excavation is adjacent to a property line or existing structure and adjacent soil must not be disturbed.

Options A (grade beam support), B (raked shoring), and C (pile cap support) are not typical or primary uses of sheet piling.

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Site Design and Construction chapter

Geotechnical engineering and excavation support best practices

Understanding the Problem

This question is about historic masonry restoration --- specifically, repointing deteriorated mortar joints in soft-brick buildings.

Historic bricks, especially those made before the early 20th century, are often much softer and more porous than modern high-fired bricks. The mortar originally used was also softer, usually lime-based, which allowed for thermal movement, moisture permeability, and protection of the brick units.

Why the Correct Answer is ''Duplication of Original Mortar Strength''

Best practice in preservation (as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties) is to match the original mortar in strength, composition, permeability, and appearance.

A mortar stronger than the original can cause the softer brick to crack or spall under thermal or moisture stresses, because the brick will end up being the weaker link and take the damage.

Duplication ensures that the new mortar works compatibly with the old masonry system --- allowing for similar vapor transmission and structural flexibility.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B . Increased mortar strength over the original mortar --- This is harmful in historic soft-brick construction. Stronger cement-based mortars can trap moisture in the brick, leading to freeze-thaw damage and spalling.

C . A bond stronger than the brick --- This would cause the brick to fail first when stress occurs, which is undesirable in preservation work.

D . Deeper joint profiles --- Deeply raking out joints unnecessarily can damage surrounding brick edges and change the visual proportions; repointing depth should only be enough to remove deteriorated mortar (typically 2--2.5 times the joint width).

NCARB ARE 5.0 PDD Study Guide Reference:

Content Area: Integration of Building Materials & Systems --- Historic Preservation Techniques

Key Resources:

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

National Park Service Preservation Brief 2: ''Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings''

Building Construction Illustrated --- Masonry Restoration

Key Preservation Principle: ''New mortar should match the historic mortar in composition, strength, and vapor permeability.''

Given:

The theater doubles its second-floor movie screens, increasing patron traffic.

Existing escalators are two 24-inch wide units, one up and one down, with simultaneous movie start times every 3 hours.

To handle increased traffic:

Increasing existing escalator speed to 130 fpm (option A) is limited by safety and code limits (typically max around 100 fpm); also increases wear.

Installing a new elevator (option B) is helpful for accessibility but does not efficiently handle high flow of large crowds during peak.

Installing a new escalator that reverses direction (option C) (also called a 'dance' or 'two-way' escalator) allows flexibility to accommodate peak traffic flow---e.g., two escalators up during rush times and one down, or vice versa.

Extending balustrades (option D) improves safety but does not increase capacity.

Therefore, option C is the best solution to manage increased passenger flow.

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Environmental Systems and Building Services chapter

Vertical transportation design principles in public assembly spaces

ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators

Designing a barrier-free (accessible) building entrance requires coordination among:

Door schedule: Door sizes, types, clearances, and thresholds

Hardware schedule: Handles, closers, locks, and accessibility hardware (e.g., lever handles, automatic operators)

Alarm system design: To ensure audible and visual alarms meet ADA requirements for people with disabilities, particularly for emergency egress

Other documents like electrical and structural plans are important but less directly related to barrier-free entrance compliance.

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Accessibility and Codes chapter

ADA Standards for Accessible Design