Solton RFP Quiz
Futura Civil Engineering Dossier • Internship Assessment
Solton RFP Quiz
Chapter 1: RFP
Total Points: 25
Student Name:
Date:
Period:
Score: / 25
1
Engineering Concepts & Solton Context (3 pts each • 9 pts)
- Why did the municipal government of Solton, Arizona, issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to Futura Engineering?
A To demolish older buildings to construct newer high-density housing
B To modify building roofs in order to reduce the city's impact on Earth's climate
C To cut down shade trees that block air circulation across city streets
D To convert all historic pitched roofs into flat commercial observation decks
- According to Chapter 1, how does keeping Solton's buildings cool contribute to global climate change?
A Year-round air conditioning uses massive electricity produced by burning fuels
B Air conditioning vents emit carbon dioxide gas directly into neighborhood trees
C Heat removed from indoor rooms increases desert air pressure systems
D Solar radiation interacts with refrigerants to double local air temperatures
- In civil engineering design, what is the crucial distinction between a criterion and a constraint?
A Criteria are strict physical limitations, while constraints are the client's goals
B Criteria are standards used to judge success, while constraints are fixed limits
C Criteria only relate to financial cost, while constraints describe building colors
D Criteria cannot be changed, while constraints are recommendations engineers ignore
2
Solton's Design Criteria (5 pts)
- Chapter 1 lists exactly three criteria that every proposal must meet. State all three criteria below: (3 pts • 1 pt each)
Criterion 1:
Criterion 2:
Criterion 3:
- Why are buildings with pitched (slanted) roofs of particular concern when addressing Solton's historic preservation criterion? (2 pts)
Futura Engineering • Internship Unit: Thermal Energy & Climate Page 1 of 2
Futura Civil Engineering • Dossier Assessment
Student Name:
3
Engineering Classification: Criterion or Constraint? (5 pts • 1 pt each)
Read each project condition below from Chapter 1. Mark whether it functions as a Criterion (a goal/standard to optimize) or a Constraint (a strict rule or limit that must not be broken).
| Project Condition / Requirement | Criterion | Constraint |
|---|
| A. The proposed design must not include any major structural changes, such as altering roof shape or direction. | | |
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| B. Reduce the city's climate impact by cutting down atmospheric carbon dioxide as much as possible. |
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| C. The roof modifications are limited strictly to white roofs and solar roofs. |
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| D. Keep total project costs as low as possible to spend the city's funds responsibly. |
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| E. The proposed design must not involve cutting down any trees to gain sunlight exposure. |
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4
Engineering Trade-Offs & Proposal Evaluation (6 pts • 2 pts each)
Engineering Design Scenario:
A design team at Futura suggests installing large solar panel arrays on the steep street-facing roofs of Solton's 19th-century historic district. To ensure the panels receive maximum sunlight, their plan requires removing several mature desert shade trees along the sidewalks and rebuilding the roof trusses to tilt panels southward.
- Identify two specific constraints from Chapter 1 that this design violates. (2 pts)
Violation 1:
Violation 2:
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Which of Solton's criteria would be severely compromised by this proposal, and why? Explain how this impacts the town's community or economy. (2 pts)
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As a Futura civil engineer, suggest an alternative modification for these historic buildings that respects both Solton's constraints and criteria. (2 pts)
Futura Engineering • Internship Unit: Thermal Energy & Climate Page 2 of 2
Solton RFP Answer Key
Futura Civil Engineering • Instructor Reference
Solton RFP Quiz Answer Key
Teacher Evaluation Guide
Total: 25 Points
Exemplary 22–25 pts (90%+)
Proficient 18–21 pts (72%+)
Developing 14–17 pts (56%+)
Needs Support < 14 pts
1
Part 1: Multiple Choice Solutions (9 pts • 3 pts each)
3 items
1. B
Correct Answer: B — To modify building roofs in order to reduce the city's impact on Earth's climate.
Instructional Rationale: Chapter 1 explicitly states Solton approached Futura because the city wants to reduce its climate impact and selected roof modifications as their targeted strategy.
2. A
Correct Answer: A — Year-round air conditioning uses massive electricity produced by burning fuels.
Instructional Rationale: Most electrical energy powering air conditioning in Solton is generated through combustion (burning) of fuels at power plants, emitting carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) that traps heat.
3. B
Correct Answer: B — Criteria are standards used to judge success, while constraints are fixed limits.
Instructional Rationale: In the Futura engineering glossary, criteria are goals to maximize/optimize, while constraints are non-negotiable boundaries or restrictions.
2
Part 2: Design Criteria Evaluation (5 pts)
Q4 (3 pts) • Q5 (2 pts)
- Solton's Three Criteria (1 pt each; student phrasing may vary slightly):
- Criterion 1: Reduce the city's climate impact (reduce fuel combustion / carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use).
- Criterion 2: Preserve the historic value of the city's buildings (protect architectural beauty and tourism business).
- Criterion 3: Keep costs low (responsible municipal spending of taxpayer funds).
- Pitched (Slanted) Roofs Concern (2 pts):
Model Student Answer: Pitched roofs are slanted and easily visible from street level by pedestrians and visitors. Any modifications (like solar panel arrays or stark white coatings) directly change the historic appearance of the buildings, which could ruin their historic character and hurt Solton's tourism economy.
Full Credit (2 pts): Explicitly connects slant/pitched angle to street-level visibility AND mentions preserving historic look/tourism.
