Question 1

Cordwood construction makes use of short logs stacked like a row of firewood.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Cordwood construction yields an R-value of _____, depending on the species of wood, cavity insulation, and proficiency of the builder.​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​roughly 1.0/inch to 1.5/inch​ 
B)  ​less than 0.5/inch​ 
C)  ​between 2.0/inch and 2.5/inch​ 
D)  ​more than 2.0/inch​ A

Question 3

With straw bales varying in thickness from 18 to 24 inches, the insulation value for a straw bale wall becomes _____ .​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​R-36 to R-48​ 
B)  ​R-30​ 
C)  ​R-24​ 
D)  ​R-12 to R-24​ A

Question 4

First popularized in New Mexico as _____ by Michael Reynolds in the 1970s, these structures grew out of a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature and making use of locally available by-products of society.​​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​adobe homes​​ 
B)  ​cob structures 
C)  ​Earthships​ 
D)  ​earthbag homes​

Question 5

One disadvantage of alternative construction is that it requires high embodied energy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Cob is another name for adobe.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Earthbag construction is _____ .​​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​appealing to termites​ 
B)  ​fireproof​ 
C)  ​destroyed easily during earthquakes​ 
D)  ​not stabilized and shifts with time​

Question 8

Straw-bale construction typically has insulating properties with an R-value of _____ .​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​less than 1.0/inch​ 
B)  ​1.0/inch to 1.5/inch​ 
C)  ​1.5/inch to 2.0/inch​ 
D)  ​2.4/inch or more​

Question 9

The logs in cordwood constructions are _____ in length.​​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​usually 12 to 24 inches​ 
B)  ​no less than 36 inches​ 
C)  ​at least 24 inches​ 
D)  ​typically 24 to 36 inches​

Question 10

Adobe offers excellent thermal mass but provides very little insulation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

How is cob different from adobe?​​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​​Cob consists of stacked bricks.​ 
B)  ​Adobe construction creates a single, seamless entity by working layers together.​ 
C)  ​Adobe has a larger proportion of straw.​ 
D)  ​Cob and adobe different names for the same building material.​

Question 12

The durability of alternative construction is well established.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Earthbag construction for human shelters was outlawed in the united states in the 1970s.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

When earthbag construction serves as its own foundation, which of the following fillers would most likely be used?​​​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​sod​ 
B)  ​clay​ 
C)  ​straw and mud​ 
D)  ​gravel​

Question 15

Mud and other natural materials have shaped human shelters _____ .​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​for less than a millennia​​ 
B)  ​since the industrial revolution​ 
C)  ​since the inception of the "green movement"​ 
D)  ​for more than 10,000 years​

Question 16

Earthship construction was seen as a means of reducing some of society's enormous disposal problems.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Straw-bale construction has proven itself durable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Using natural or recycled materials, alternative construction allows builders to create comfortable spaces with greatly reduced impact on the environment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Although earthen materials typically lack the same level of insulation as modern products, thick walls and large thermal mass allow earthen structures to be comfortable in many climates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Using bales of straw to construct buildings began in the _____ .​

Accepted Answer

A)  ​20th century as a means of creating long-lasting green construction​ 
B)  ​late 1800s on the prairies of Nebraska as an alternative to sod houses​ 
C)  ​18th century by Native Americans being pushed west​ 
D)  ​early 1700s in the North American colonies when settlers could not find other sources of building materials​

Exam 4: Alternative Construction

Cordwood construction makes use of short logs stacked like a row of firewood.

Cordwood construction yields an R-value of _____, depending on the species of wood, cavity insulation, and proficiency of the builder.​

With straw bales varying in thickness from 18 to 24 inches, the insulation value for a straw bale wall becomes _____ .​

First popularized in New Mexico as _____ by Michael Reynolds in the 1970s, these structures grew out of a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature and making use of locally available by-products of society.​​

One disadvantage of alternative construction is that it requires high embodied energy.

Cob is another name for adobe.

Earthbag construction is _____ .​​

Straw-bale construction typically has insulating properties with an R-value of _____ .​

The logs in cordwood constructions are _____ in length.​​

Adobe offers excellent thermal mass but provides very little insulation.

How is cob different from adobe?​​

The durability of alternative construction is well established.

Earthbag construction for human shelters was outlawed in the united states in the 1970s.

When earthbag construction serves as its own foundation, which of the following fillers would most likely be used?​​​

Mud and other natural materials have shaped human shelters _____ .​

Earthship construction was seen as a means of reducing some of society's enormous disposal problems.

Straw-bale construction has proven itself durable.

Using natural or recycled materials, alternative construction allows builders to create comfortable spaces with greatly reduced impact on the environment.

Although earthen materials typically lack the same level of insulation as modern products, thick walls and large thermal mass allow earthen structures to be comfortable in many climates.

Using bales of straw to construct buildings began in the _____ .​

Cordwood construction yields an R-value of _____, depending on the species of wood, cavity insulation, and proficiency of the builder.

With straw bales varying in thickness from 18 to 24 inches, the insulation value for a straw bale wall becomes _____ .

First popularized in New Mexico as _____ by Michael Reynolds in the 1970s, these structures grew out of a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature and making use of locally available by-products of society.

Earthbag construction is _____ .

Straw-bale construction typically has insulating properties with an R-value of _____ .

The logs in cordwood constructions are _____ in length.

How is cob different from adobe?

When earthbag construction serves as its own foundation, which of the following fillers would most likely be used?

Mud and other natural materials have shaped human shelters _____ .

Using bales of straw to construct buildings began in the _____ .