15: Know and Understand

1. Which of the following purposes does a hardscape serve?
     A. Focal points and driveways. B. Pedestrian access and walkways. C. Gathering areas. D. All of the above.
2. True or False? The most successful hardscapes fulfill the client’s needs and complement both the softscape and the home.
     A. True B. False
3. How wide should a path be to be suitable for a wheelchair?
     A. At least 18″ wide. B. At least 24″ wide. C. At least 30″ wide. D. At least 36″ wide.
4. How wide should a path be for two people to walk side by side?
     A. At least 48″ wide. B. At least 36″ wide. C. At least 24″ wide. D. At least 18″ wide.
5. True or False? The design and installation of a driveway and other hardscapes may be subject to local building regulations and codes.
     A. True B. False
6. A recreational area adjoining a building to extend the living area and provide space for outdoor dining is referred to as a _____.
     A. deck B. patio C. retainer D. All of the above.
7. A raised platform constructed with a composite or wood is referred to as a _____.
     A. deck B. patio C. retainer D. All of the above.
8. The rise and fall of the land surface or a change in elevation from a fixed point is referred to as _____.
     A. standard height B. perspective C. grade D. meter length
9. At which of the following measurements should stairs be constructed?
     A. At whichever height and width matches the design. B. No higher or wider than 11″. C. The standard height and width of interior stairs. D. It depends on the materials being used.
10. A structure that holds the soil to reduce soil loss through erosion as well as mitigate other soil moisture concerns is referred to as a _____.
      A. retaining wall B. blockade wall C. stockade wall D. All of the above.
11. True or False? An outdoor kitchen may require professional installation of electrical wiring and plumbing for gas and water service.
      A. True B. False
12. Which of the following can make an area of the hardscape safer?
      A. Lighting on steps. B. Markings on paths. C. Handrails on stairways. D. All of the above.
13. True or False? A very rough texture is the ideal surface for walkways in a hardscape.
      A. True B. False
14. A repeated decorative design or the recurring use of a specific element in a design is referred to as _____.
      A. structure B. pattern C. design D. pickets
15. Which of the following is determined by the amount of water that can pass through a hardscape material?
      A. Liability. B. Versatility. C. Permeability. D. Opportunity.
16. True or False? The most permeable hardscapes are constructed with poured concrete.
      A. True B. False
17. To ensure water will be directed in the desired direction, impermeable hardscapes must have at least a _____.
      A. .05% slope B. 1.0% slope C. 3.25% slope D. The surface should be completely flat.
18. Which of the following materials would be most appropriately placed over a sub-drainage system?
      A. Compacted clay. B. Aggregate. C. Stamped concrete. D. All of the above.
19. Which of the following materials are used for hardscapes?
      A. Gravel, aggregates, and brick. B. Concrete and asphalt. C. Wood and composite lumber. D. All of the above.

Match the materials to the descriptions in 20–28.

20. Small pieces of loose rock that comes in different colors, sizes, and durability.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
21. A collection of units used together.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
22. A glazed decorated tile that can be used as flooring or wall covering.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
23. Stone cut into square or rectangular shapes or used in its original shape.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
24. Preformed and often colored units that are available in many shapes and sizes.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
25. A hardscape, water-resistant material made with concrete or clay.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
26. A hardscape material to which preservatives are applied to improve its weather resistance and make it more resistant to rot or insects.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
27. A hardscape material made from wood fiber and plastic.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
28. A mixture of tar, sand, and gravel that creates a dark hardscape.
      A. aggregate B. asphalt C. brick paver D. composite lumber E. concrete F. concrete pavers G. gravel H. paving tile I. pressure-treated wood J. stone paver
29. Which of the following is an advantage of using composite lumber instead of real wood?
      A. It does not need to be sanded or resealed. B. It resists molding and rotting. C. It does not splinter and it is an insect repellant. D. All of the above.
30. True or False? Face mixing is the application of water to the surface of wet concrete.
      A. True B. False
31. How can the appearance of poured concrete be modified?
      A. Pigment can be mixed in wet concrete. B. Designs may be stamped on the surface. C. Fibers and aggregate can be added. D. All of the above.
32. When pieces with historical significance, such as portions of a building façade, are incorporated into a design, it is said to be _____.
      A. upcycled B. renewed C. repeated D. low-impact
33. True or False? Gravel is considered a low-impact material because it creates a permeable groundcover that allows water to drain.
      A. True B. False
34. Churt, river rocks, decomposed granite, lava rocks, and crushed stone are all types of _____.
      A. asphalt B. gravel C. pavers D. sealers
35. True or False? Installing permeable hardscapes reduces the impact a design may have on the local environment.
      A. True B. False
36. True or False? Dry-laying is the application of thin layer of fine aggregate to the surface of the wet concrete.
      A. True B. False
37. True or False? Wet-laying is the installation of a hardscape with wet concrete below and between the pavers or stones.
      A. True B. False
38. The amount of material ordered should be 5% to 10% greater than the actual estimated need of the project to _____.
      A. cut costs by saving the extra for another job B. bump up the cost of the job and earn more profit C. compensate for defective or broken pieces D. All of the above.
39. True or False? Machines with wheels do less damage than machines with tracks.
      A. True B. False
40. Which of the following is used to compact subsurface materials?
      A. The workers’ feet and body weight. B. A skid-steer or backhoe. C. A vibratory or hand tamper. D. All of the above.
41. True or False? A municipality may deem a hardscape as an impermeable surface requiring stormwater design considerations.
      A. True B. False
42. For what purpose is a rotary transit used in hardscape installations?
      A. To move materials around the landscape. B. It can be used to photograph the site. C. Determine correct depth for plant materials. D. The tool can be used to set the grade.
43. True or False? One of the key elements of hardscape construction is adequate compaction of the subsurface.
      A. True B. False
44. The standard subsurface depth for walks and patios is ____.
      A. 4″ B. 6″ to 8″ C. 12″ D. 13″
45. The standard subsurface depth for driveways is _____.
      A. 4″ to 6″ B. 6″ to 8″ C. 8″ to 12″ D. 12″ to 13″
46. The action of applying material over the top of a newly installed hardscape to fill in voids between the hardscape materials is referred to as _____.
      A. dry-laying B. wet-laying C. face mixing D. topdressing

47. Calculate the number of 2 × 4 boards needed to construct the large area of the wood deck. The large area is 10′ × 4′ with no spacing between the boards. Each 2 × 4 is 3.5″ wide and 8′ long.
    
48. Calculate the number of 2 × 6 boards needed to construct the small area of the wood deck. The small area is 4′ × 5′ with a 2″ gap between boards. Each 2 × 6 is 5.5″ wide and 8′ long.
    
49. Calculate the square footage of the five flagstone pathways. The compacted aggregate is 4″ deep and the fine aggregate is 2″ deep. The measurements for the pathways are 12′ × 3′, 3′ × 3′, 8′ × 5′, 14′ × 3′, and 60′ × 3′. Include 10% overage to ensure you will have enough materials.
    
50. Calculate the square footage of the concrete border at ground level/grade. There are three different border areas with a consistent width of 2′. The compacted aggregate is 6″ deep and the concrete is 4″ deep. The areas measure 10′ × 2′, 32′ × 2′, and 9′ × 2′. Include 10% overage in the total square footage.
    
51. Calculate the square footage of the circular area. The circular area has a radius of 8′. The formula for calculating the area of a circle is π × r² (π is 3.14).
    
52. Calculate the amount of compacted aggregate and concrete (both in cubic yards) needed for the circular area. Use the square footage calculated in problem five. The area will require 6″ of compacted aggregate and 4″ of concrete.
    
53. Calculate the amount of compacted aggregate, fine aggregate, and concrete needed for all hardscape areas combined.