CIVIL TECHNOLOGY: CONSTRUCTION
GRADE 12 
NSC EXAMS
PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
NOVEMBER 2018

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Drawing instruments
2. A non-programmable calculator
3. ANSWER BOOK 

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1. This question paper consists of SIX questions.
2. Answer ALL the questions. 
3. Answer each question as a whole. Do NOT separate subsections of  questions. 
4. Start the answer to EACH question on a NEW page. 
5. Do NOT write in the margins of the ANSWER BOOK.  
6. You may use sketches to illustrate your answers. 
7. Write ALL calculations and answers in the ANSWER BOOK or on the  attached ANSWER SHEETS. 
8. Use the mark allocation as a guide to the length of your answers. 
9. Make drawings and sketches in pencil, fully dimensioned and neatly finished  off with descriptive titles and notes to conform to the SANS/SABS Code of  Practice for Building Drawings. 
10. For the purpose of this question paper, the size of a brick should be taken as  220 mm x 110 mm x 75 mm. 
11. Use your own discretion where dimensions and/or details have been omitted. 
12. Answer QUESTIONS 2, 3.7, 4.3, 5.2, 5.4, 6.2 and 6.6 on the attached ANSWER SHEETS using drawing instruments, where necessary. 
13. Write your CENTRE NUMBER and EXAMINATION NUMBER on every  ANSWER SHEET and hand them in with your ANSWER BOOK, whether you  have used them or not. 
14. Drawings in the question paper are NOT to scale due to electronic transfer. 
15. Google Images was used as the source for all photographs and pictures.

QUESTIONS 

QUESTION 1: OHSA, MATERIALS, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND JOINING (GENERIC) 
Start this question on a NEW page. 
1.1 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches an item in COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–G) next to the question numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.5) in the  ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.6 H. 

1.2 Describe TWO safety precautions that must be adhered to when working on a  scaffold. (2) 
1.3 What is the purpose of the guard rail of a scaffold in terms of safety? (2)
1.4 Explain the purpose of painting. (2)
1.5 Describe ONE advantage of the curing process of concrete. (1)
1.6 FIGURE 1.6 below shows a tool that is used in the building construction industry. 

FIGURE 1.6 
1.6.1 Identify tool A. (1)
1.6.2 Explain TWO uses of tool A. (2) 
1.6.3 Explain why the batteries should be removed from the tool if the  tool is not going to be used for a long time. (1) 
1.7 FIGURE 1.7 below shows joining fixtures that are used on building sites and  in workshops.  

FIGURE 1.7 
1.7.1 Identify fastener A and fastener B. (2) 
1.7.2 Explain ONE use of fastener A and fastener B respectively. (2) [20] 

QUESTION 2: GRAPHICS AS METHOD OF COMMUNICATION (GENERIC) 
FIGURE 2 on the next page shows different drawings that appear on a building plan.  Analyse the drawings and complete the table on ANSWER SHEET 2.

FIGURE 2 [40] 

QUESTION 3: ROOFS, STAIRCASES AND JOINING (SPECIFIC) 
Start this question on a NEW page. 
3.1 What is the minimum pitch of a roof when class A corrugated iron sheeting are used to cover a roof? (1) 
3.2 State the maximum distance for the spacing between roof trusses for  corrugated iron roof sheeting. (1) 
3.3 Differentiate between the timber used to fix a roof tile and roof sheeting by  means of neat freehand drawings of EACH in your ANSWER BOOK. Print the  correct name under each drawing. (2) 
3.4 What are the measurements of a purlin for corrugated iron roof sheeting? (1) 
3.5 Differentiate between the spacing of roof trusses for clay tiles and roof trusses  for fibre-cement tiles. Copy the table below in your ANSWER BOOK.  (2) 

3.6 FIGURE 3.6 below shows a vertical cross section of a part of the construction  at the ridge of a roof truss. Identify parts A–D. 

FIGURE 3.6 (4) 
3.7 Use ANSWER SHEET 3.7 and draw, in good proportion, a neat sketch of a  collar tie roof truss with a pitch of 45° resting on two supporting walls. 
Show the following on your drawing: 

• Walls
• Wall plates
• Rafters 
• Collar beam/Collar tie 
• Ridge beam (8) 

3.8 Give ONE word/term for EACH of the following descriptions by choosing  a word/term from the list below. Write only the word/term next to the question  numbers (3.8.1 to 3.8.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 3.8.6 Riser. 

3.8.1 The vertical distance between two consecutive treads (1)
3.8.2 Vertical posts that hold up the handrail (1) 
3.8.3 The flat, horizontal surface of a step on which one walks when  descending or ascending a stair case (1) 
3.8.4 The top horizontal area on top of a staircase (1)
3 8.5 The horizontal distance covered by the stairs (1) 
3.9 Draw a neat sketch, in good proportion, of a square and round profile that can  be used for handrails in your ANSWER BOOK. (2) 
3.10 Explain ONE method of mounting handrails onto a wall. (1)
3.11 Describe TWO methods of securing a wall plate to a brick wall. (2) 
3.12 Steel sections can be joined to a concrete base by means of a base plate and  steel pin connection. Explain the purpose of the pin in this joining method. (1) [30]

QUESTION 4: EXCAVATIONS, FORMWORK, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS (SPECIFIC) 
Start this question on a NEW page. 
4.1 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches an item in COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–G) next to the question numbers (4.1.1 to 4.1.5) in the  ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 4.1.6 H. 

4.2 Excavation of loose soil is necessary on a building site to reach a firmer soil  base. 
4.2.1 Explain THREE safety factors that should be considered after  excavations have been completed. (3) 
4.2.2 Describe THREE tasks that must be performed after the site  inspection in order to prepare the site. (3) 
4.3 FIGURE 4.3 on ANSWER SHEET 4.3 shows a trench that has been  excavated. 
Use ANSWER SHEET 4.3 and draw a neat sectional drawing, in good  proportion, of the shuttering for firm soil. 
Show the following on your drawing: 

• Folding wedges
• Walling boards
• Poling boards 
• Struts
• Any TWO labels (8)

4.4 Describe ONE property of good formwork. (1) 
4.5 FIGURE 4.5 below shows formwork in the construction process. Study the  drawing and answer the questions that follow. 

FIGURE 4.5 
4.5.1 Identify the type of formwork in FIGURE 4.5. (1)
4.5.2 Name A to D. (4)
4.5.3 Justify the use of E. (1)
4.6 State TWO properties of steel shuttering. (2)
4.7 FIGURE 4.7 below shows a construction machine that is used on a building  site.  
Study FIGURE 4.7 and answer the questions that follow. 

FIGURE 4.7 
4.7.1 Describe TWO safety precautions that must be adhered to when  using the machine in FIGURE 4.7. (2) 
4.7.2 Explain, in your own words, how you will take care of this  construction machine. (2) 
4.8 FIGURE 4.8 below shows a machine that is used on a building site. State TWO ways in which you will take care of this machine. 

FIGURE 4.8 (2) 
4.9 Describe TWO disadvantages of ready-mixed concrete. (2)
4.10 Explain TWO purposes of the slump test. (2) 
4.11 Name TWO different types of methods that can be used for the curing of  concrete. (2) [40]

QUESTION 5: PLASTER AND SCREED, BRICKWORK AND GRAPHICS AS MEANS OF COMMUNICATION (SPECIFIC) 
Start this question on a NEW page. 
5.1 FIGURE 5.1 below shows a worker plastering a wall. Study the drawing and  answer the questions that follow.  

FIGURE 5.1 
5.1.1 Describe the processes that take place from A to D. (4)
5.1.2 What type of tool is used in C? (1) 
5.2 ANSWER SHEET 5.2 shows the outlines of the front and side views of a  cavity wall. Use ANSWER SHEET 5.2 as a guide and draw FOUR courses of the external view of the cavity wall showing the front and left views. (6) 
5.3 FIGURE 5.3 below shows TWO different paving patterns. Study the  photographs and answer the questions that follow. 

FIGURE 5.3 
5.3.1 Name paving patterns A and B. (2)
5.3.2 State ONE paving method that is commonly used. (1)
5.3.3 Describe the term jointing when laying paving bricks. (1)
5.4 Use ANSWER SHEET 5.4 and draw to a scale of 1 : 10 a detailed vertical  section through the foot of a roof truss showing open eaves.
Show the  following on your drawing: 

• Wall: 220 mm wide, face brick 
• Wall plate: 114 mm x 38 mm 
• Tie beam: 114 mm x 38 mm
• Rafter: 114 mm x 38 mm
• Eaves overhang: 400 mm
• Purlins: 76 mm x 50 mm
• Corrugated iron roof covering
• Fascia board: 230 mm x 38 mm 

Print the scale below the drawing. 
Print any TWO labels on the drawing. (15) [30]

QUESTION 6: REINFORCEMENT IN CONCRETE, FOUNDATIONS, CONCRETE FLOORS AND QUANTITIES (SPECIFIC) 
Start this question on a NEW page. 
6.1 Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions.  Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question  numbers (6.1.1 to 6.1.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 6.1.6 C. 
6.1.1 Reinforcement is indicated on a construction drawing according to  a code. In the code 9 R 16 01 200, the 200 indicates the … 

1. diameter of the bar. 
2. centre-to-centre spacing. 
3. number of bars in the group. 
4. bar number. (1) 

6.1.2 Which of the following is a force that can act on a structure? 

1. Tensile force 
2. Compression force 
3. Shear force 
4. All the above-mentioned (1) 

6.1.3 During the planning of a rib and block floor, the following need to  be considered: 

1. Straightness of units 
2. Water absorbing properties of units 
3. Nature of props 
4. Cross bracing for sturdiness (1) 

6.1.4 Steel tube caisson piles make use of a … 

1. wet concrete plug. 
2. casing driven into the ground. 
3. steel tip. 
4. precast concrete pile. (1) 

6.1.5 Type of soil where precast piling can be used: 

1. Soft soil 
2. Firm soil 
3. Stable soil 
4. All the above-mentioned (1)

6.2 Use ANSWER SHEET 6.2 and draw a neat sectional view of a square  reinforced concrete column in good proportion. 
Show the following on your drawing: 

• Column
• 8 main bars
• Stirrups/Binders
• Minimum concrete cover
• TWO labels   (10) 

6.3 State THREE advantages of using pile foundations. (3) 6.4 Explain the method of installing in situ driven piles. (3) 
6.5 FIGURE 6.5 below shows material for a floor component. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow. 

FIGURE 6.5 
6.5.1 Identify the part in FIGURE 6.5. (1)
6.5.2 What is the purpose of the hole at A? (1)
6.5.3 Name the part that will fit in at B. (1) 
6.5.4 Name THREE materials that are used for this type of floor  construction. (3) 
6.5.5 State ONE important safety factor that should be adhered to after the installation of this type of floor construction. (1) 
6.5.6 Explain TWO disadvantages of this type of floor construction. (2) 
6.6 FIGURE 6.6 below shows the floor plan of a storeroom with an opening for a  door and a window. 

FIGURE 6.6 
SPECIFICATIONS: 

• Outside measurements of the storeroom: 8 000 mm x 5 000 mm
• The superstructure is a one-brick wall: 220 mm wide and 2 700 mm high 
• Size of the opening for the window: 1 200 mm x 900 mm
• Size of the opening for the door: 2 100 mm x 900 mm 

Use ANSWER SHEET 6.6 and calculate the following: 

• Total length of the skirting for the store room (ignore the reveals) (6)
• Volume of screed for the floor if the screed is 25 mm thick (4) 

Round off your answers to TWO decimal places.  [40] 

TOTAL: 200 

ANSWER SHEET 2

ANSWER SHEET 3.7 

ANSWER SHEET 4.3 

FIGURE 4.3

ANSWER SHEET 5.2 

ANSWER SHEET 5.4   

ANSWER SHEET 6.2 

ANSWER SHEET 6.6