ICC (EC) SOILS 1 – 130 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - ANS National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
ANS Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation
Soils, Earthwork, and Foundations
Special Inspection Manual 2012
International Building Code 2015
ASTM Standards as Referenced in the IBC
ASTM References: (2016)
D 75-14
D 422-63 (2007)
D 698-12e1
D 1556-07
D 1557-12
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,D 2487-11
D 2488-09a
D 4318-10e1
D 4718-87 (2007)
D 4959-07
D 6938-10
The ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam expected range of knowledge (ERK) is divided into
content areas: - ANS General Requirements
Sampling, Classification, and Laboratory Test Results
Grading Plans and Site Preparation
Fill Monitoring and Testing
Test Method ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is applicable for soils without considerable amounts of
rock or coarse materials greater than ____ in diameter. - ANS 1.5"
ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole. - ANS Organic
Saturated
Highly plastic
The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to be
tested. - ANS Maximum particle size
Bulk density tests of sand will be conducted at maximum intervals of ___, when a new batch
arrives, or after any potential changes have taken place. - ANS 14 days
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - ANS Direct transmission
Backscatter position
The *ratio of the mass of water* contained in the pore spaces of soil or soil-aggregate *to the
solid mass* of particles in the materials expressed as a percentage is the ____. -
ANS gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
ANS volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - ANS at the start of each day's
use
Perform standardization and operation of the gauge at least ___ meters ( ___feet) away from
other gauges, large masses of water, or other items that can affect the reference count rate. -
ANS 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
ANS 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you should
____. - ANS perform another standardization check
For ASTM D6938 always select a test location at least ___ mm (___in) away from any vertical
mass or when tests are to be conducted in a trench within ___ mm (___in) of a vertical project,
follow the manufacturer's correction procedures. - ANS 150 = 6
600 = 24
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - ANS National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
ANS Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation
Soils, Earthwork, and Foundations
Special Inspection Manual 2012
International Building Code 2015
ASTM Standards as Referenced in the IBC
ASTM References: (2016)
D 75-14
D 422-63 (2007)
D 698-12e1
D 1556-07
D 1557-12
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,D 2487-11
D 2488-09a
D 4318-10e1
D 4718-87 (2007)
D 4959-07
D 6938-10
The ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam expected range of knowledge (ERK) is divided into
content areas: - ANS General Requirements
Sampling, Classification, and Laboratory Test Results
Grading Plans and Site Preparation
Fill Monitoring and Testing
Test Method ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is applicable for soils without considerable amounts of
rock or coarse materials greater than ____ in diameter. - ANS 1.5"
ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole. - ANS Organic
Saturated
Highly plastic
The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to be
tested. - ANS Maximum particle size
Bulk density tests of sand will be conducted at maximum intervals of ___, when a new batch
arrives, or after any potential changes have taken place. - ANS 14 days
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - ANS Direct transmission
Backscatter position
The *ratio of the mass of water* contained in the pore spaces of soil or soil-aggregate *to the
solid mass* of particles in the materials expressed as a percentage is the ____. -
ANS gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
ANS volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - ANS at the start of each day's
use
Perform standardization and operation of the gauge at least ___ meters ( ___feet) away from
other gauges, large masses of water, or other items that can affect the reference count rate. -
ANS 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
ANS 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you should
____. - ANS perform another standardization check
For ASTM D6938 always select a test location at least ___ mm (___in) away from any vertical
mass or when tests are to be conducted in a trench within ___ mm (___in) of a vertical project,
follow the manufacturer's correction procedures. - ANS 150 = 6
600 = 24
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
