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By Nancy B. Solomon, AIA

AIA/Architectural Record Continuing Education

Instructions

• Read the article "Architects Slowly Begin to Expand the Traditional Palette of Materials."
• Complete the questions below, then fill in your answers .
• Fill out and submit the AIA/CES education reporting form in the magazine or print the form to receive one AIA learning unit.

Questions:

LU: 1 HS: 1

1. Why was wood not a viable material for outdoor construction in Florida?
a. Wood is too heavy for use in Florida
b. Wood rots quickly in humidity and salt
c. Hurricanes have destroyed the forests in Florida
d. New code updates require the use of new materials

2. How are new materials usually introduced into the construction industry?
a. An architect specifies the new material
b. A manufacturer gives incentives for builders to use the new material
c. The material is used in other industries first, then adapted to construction
d. New code updates require the use of new materials

3. Why does the construction industry resist innovative materials?
a. Insufficient research dollars
b. Code requirements
c. Economies of scale
d. All of the above

4. The benefits of fiberglass for outdoor stair construction include which?
a. Lightness
b. Flotation
c. Low cost
d. Nonskid finish

5. How is fiberglass delivered to the job site?
a. As easy-to-assemble pieces
b. As raw materials to be fabricated on-site
c. Wrapped over its mold
d. As a one-piece assembly

6. What does a fiberglass fabricator use as a clamp?
a. A vacuum bag
b. Teflon
c. Draped layers of fiberglass
d. Steel

7. The benefits of Nanogel include which?
a. It is moisture absorbent
b. It is resistant to mold and fungus
c. It is easily combustible
d. It is sensitive to ultraviolet light

8. Why was aerogel not available on the market sooner?
a. The aerospace industry had a patent on it
b. It is made by a dangerous process
c. There were very few uses for it
d. It was discovered recently

9. Which is a reinforcing material in a composite structure?
a. Phenolic resin
b. Epoxy
c. Polyester
d. Glass

10. Why was recycled paper from cardboard boxes considered the most appropriate biobased fiber for a structural application?
a. Low cost
b. Availability
c. Contribution to the beam’s strength
d. All of the above

Click here to print the reporting form.