(PDD) Study Guide Reference:

Temporary shoring in masonry construction supports walls until they gain sufficient stability. It should

remain in place until:

The wall is laterally braced or tied back to a stable structure to resist wind and other lateral loads.

Mortar may have hardened but shoring removal depends on the overall stability.

Horizontal reinforcing and backfilling provide some support but do not replace lateral bracing.

Thus, temporary shoring should remain until all lateral bracing connections are complete, ensuring

the wall’s stability.

Reference:

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Construction Methods chapter

Masonry construction standards and OSHA guidelines on temporary shoring

The diagrams depict metal stud or curtain wall connections to structural frames under wind loading.

Diagonal bracing can be eliminated when the connection itself provides lateral restraint in both

directions.

A: Shows a connection with angles or plates attached to resist both in-plane and out-of-plane forces,

creating a moment-resisting connection that can handle wind loads without diagonal bracing.

B, C, D: These connections allow slip or have limited fixity—requiring separate bracing to resist

lateral loads.

PDD Reference: ARE 5.0 PDD “Structural Systems—Lateral load resistance in curtain wall and stud

framing connections”; AISC Steel Design Guide for cladding attachment; Curtain wall engineering

details.

The IBC and AWPA (American Wood Protection Association) standards require pressure treatment of

wood in decay-prone climates when in contact with moisture-retaining materials

(masonry/concrete), near grade, or within splash zones.

A: Moisture can wick from masonry/concrete into wood → decay risk.

B: Close proximity to soil promotes decay/insect activity.

D: Siding <6" above grade risks splashback and prolonged wetting.

E: Window casings <24" above grade are exposed to rain splash.

C: Roofing/flashing interface doesn’t require PT unless actual contact with wet substrate is expected.

F: Doors with thresholds don’t require PT unless the door bottom is wood in constant wetting.

PDD Reference: IBC §2304.11; ARE 5.0 PDD “Materials—Wood decay & termite resistance.”

:

When new plan-review rules require 1-hour fire-resistance for storage rooms >150 sf, the least

cost/time/program impact is typically a 1-hour gypsum board assembly (metal studs with Type X on

each side per UL/GA listings).

A . CMU: durable but higher material and labor cost; heavier, slower to install.

C/D. Splitting rooms: Avoids the rating but disrupts program, adds doors/partitions, circulation, and

can increase costs and complexity.

PDD Reference: IBC Ch. 7 Fire & Smoke Protection Features; GA/UL fire-rated wall assemblies; ARE

5.0 PDD—Code compliance strategies and cost/time implications of alternative assemblies.

Cutting holes in beam webs is common for running mechanical, electrical, or plumbing services but

must be done carefully to avoid weakening structural integrity.

Holes should be located near mid-span supports (points of low bending moment and high shear) to

reduce impact on beam bending strength.

Holes should not be located near areas of maximum bending moment (typically mid-span between

supports), because this is where the beam experiences maximum tension or compression.

Locations 2 and 4 are at or near the beam supports (shear zones), and generally small holes can be

cut there, following size limits and reinforcement guidelines.

Locations 1, 3, and 5 are closer to mid-span or areas of high bending stress, so holes here risk

compromising the beam’s moment capacity.

Reference:

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Structural Systems chapter

Steel construction and beam design guidelines (AISC)

Building codes and structural engineering best practices for web penetrations

In subsurface drainage system design:

The shape, size, and slope of drainage lines are selected primarily to achieve a desired flow velocity

that prevents sedimentation and clogging but does not cause erosion.

Minimizing or maximizing flow is not the goal; the system must convey the design flow efficiently.

Velocity must be balanced — too low leads to sediment build-up; too high causes pipe damage.

Reference:

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Site Design and Civil Engineering chapter

Drainage design principles from civil engineering manuals and EPA stormwater guidelines

The most destructive factor for mortar joints is freeze–thaw cycling: absorbed moisture expands

upon freezing (~9% volume increase), creating internal stresses that crack mortar and spall joints.

A: Wind loading affects wall stability, not directly mortar joint durability.

B: Control joints manage thermal/movement cracks but aren’t the main durability factor.

C: Efflorescence is cosmetic and less destructive than freeze–thaw action.

PDD Reference: Masonry durability—Moisture management; ASTM C270 Mortar Specs; ARE 5.0 PDD

“Building envelope durability in cold climates.”

In the casework section drawing provided, the detail that likely does not align with the cost estimate

is the note:

"PLASTIC LAMINATE COUNTERTOP AND BACKSPLASH"

This is often a higher-cost item compared to alternatives like post-formed countertops, solid surface

over MDF, or budget composite finishes. If the project is under cost pressure, specifying both a

plastic laminate countertop and a separate laminate backsplash can increase material and labor

costs due to custom fabrication and edge treatments.

https://kxbjsyuhceggsyvxdkof.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/file-images/NCARB_PDD/page_22_img_1.jpg To identify the discrepancy between the drawings and the Room Finish Schedule for Room 101, compare what’s shown in the restroom elevation and plan versus the listed finishes. Step-by-step comparison: Room 101 (Women’s Restroom) is shown with: Wall finish: Clearly shows tile (CT) on the lower half of the walls in the elevation. But in the finish schedule, Room 101 has “PT” (paint) listed under wall finish. ✅ Therefore, the error is in the wall finish cell for Room 101, which should show CT (ceramic tile), not PT (paint).