Yes, but it would be better if you provided a conduit for the waterline.

Basically, take the next larger pipe size and run the waterline through that. This allows the waterline to move a little, and it’s easier to replace if needed. Of course, if you have a number of turns in the pipe replacement becomes difficult anyways.

You need to read the label.

PVC glue may only be an adhesive.

PVC cement tends to be a solvent-based welder. This means that it will dissolve some of the PVC of each piece intermingling it before setting the result. When done poorly it acts as an adhesive. When done well it creates a bond that requires cutting to remove.

This varies greatly depending on size and location, but in general, it is considered to be around 10% of the cost of construction. In areas where there is a lot of competition and we are speaking of houses 2,000 sqft or less the number drops to 5% or even 3% of the cost of construction.

The simple answer.

The more mass you have further from the bottom (ground level in this case) the stronger the earthquake affects the building.

So, a huge one story (low) building will withstand the same earthquake better than a forty story building with a small footprint. All other things being equal.

That being said, the massing, the shape (yes, those are different), what the structure is composed of, what the non-structural components are composed of, and many more factors all go into the mix, but the most basic mass vs height.

Yes. but make sure you place a waterproof membrane (building paper) between the plywood and the next layer of material.

No.

Pressure-treated lumber should only be used in direct contact with concrete. It contains chemicals (ranging from arsenic to copper to quinine depending on where you are located and the base wood used) to stop insects and wood rot/ fungus.

It should not be used where people might come into prolonged contact with it or may attempt to consume food from it (like a table surface).

Friable is a description of a material’s readiness to crumble under light pressure. Thick bread or really any food called a crumble.

But, note that you’ll tend to encounter these materials as a solid. Friable just tells you what will happen if you pick it up or push on it.

Generally, no.

Their license does not grant them the ability to design buildings. As such, that means that they are limited to buildings that do not require a license to design. This would typically include trellises, unoccupied support structures like sheds or equipment garages, and lastly houses. Most jurisdictions will require any structural portions to be designed by a civil or structural engineer or an architect.

So can they design buildings? Yes, but just to the same extent that any person can.

Poly Ethylene Vinyl Acetate – PEVA

Its generally used either for glue gun sticks or PVC alternates.

It is used when there are concerns about PVC being a carcinogen. As such, it is a popular choice of filler in plastic matrixes.

Okay,

By definition, and practice, trusses are going to be efficient structures. So let’s assume that you mean: Which truss configuration meet’s all the design criteria using the least material.

Almost any triangulated truss system that has gone through an optimation process is going to come close. But, you still have a major hurdle that going to mess up your efficiency. Local building or engineering departments.

You want to build your structure for the least amount of money, but you can’t until you’ve been reviewed and approved by your local governing authority. They will add to it until they are satisfied that you aren’t going to damage anything with your design. But I digress.

For the simple beam truss the “eccentrically braced truss” pretty much is the best. This is a typical truss with alternating web legs, but there is a space between the legs rather than them meeting at a point.

For slightly better some of the AI designed dendric (treelike) or fractal web trusses can get a little more out of a material.

For less traditional truss systems try curved hollow tubes with spirally hollow tube stiffening supports. Think bird bones or hollow objects curving in as many independent directions as possible. Folding membranes gets you there as well.

Hopefully that helps.