ICC 92 Prestressed Concrete Special Inspector
2026/2027 | ICC 92C & 92P Certification Exam Study
Guide & Practice Questions | Prestressed Concrete
Inspection, Reinforcement, Prestressing, Grouting,
Concrete Quality & Plans Review
Question 1: What is the primary role of a Prestressed Concrete Special
Inspector according to IBC Chapter 17?
A. To design the prestressing system and select materials
B. To enforce OSHA safety regulations on site
C. To verify compliance with approved construction documents and
applicable code provisions
D. To supervise and direct the concrete placement crew
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To verify compliance with approved
construction documents and applicable code provisions
Rationale: The Special Inspector's core duty is to observe and verify that
prestressed concrete work—especially specialized stressing and grouting
operations—is performed in accordance with the approved plans,
specifications, and applicable code provisions. They do not design the
system or direct construction activities.
Question 2: According to IBC Chapter 17, who is responsible for
preparing the Statement of Special Inspections?
A. The General Contractor
B. The Registered Design Professional
C. The Special Inspector
D. The Building Official
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Registered Design Professional
Rationale: The Registered Design Professional (RDP) prepares the
Statement of Special Inspections, which identifies the specific items
requiring special inspection, including prestressing operations. This
document defines the scope of the Special Inspector's work.
Question 3: Which document officially designates the authority and
scope of work for a Special Inspector on a specific project?
A. The Special Inspector's ICC certification card
B. The project-specific Statement of Special Inspections
,C. The Owner's contract with the General Contractor
D. The local building code handbook
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The project-specific Statement of Special
Inspections
Rationale: The Statement of Special Inspections is the project-specific
document that outlines the scope, responsibilities, and authority of the
Special Inspector. It is prepared by the Registered Design Professional and
serves as the primary guide for the inspector's duties.
Question 4: What is the required action if a Special Inspector observes
a deviation from the approved plans and specifications?
A. Immediately stop all work on the project
B. Notify the contractor; if uncorrected, notify the architect/engineer of
record and building official
C. Document the deviation and continue observation without notification
D. Correct the deviation by instructing workers on the proper method
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Notify the contractor; if uncorrected, notify the
architect/engineer of record and building official
Rationale: The proper chain of notification requires the inspector to first
bring the discrepancy to the contractor's attention. If the contractor fails to
correct the issue, the inspector must then notify the engineer of record and
the building official.
Question 5: How often must a Special Inspector submit written
progress reports?
A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. After each major inspection activity or as required by the building official
D. Only at project completion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. After each major inspection activity or as
required by the building official
Rationale: The Special Inspector must submit progress reports describing
tests performed and compliance of the work after each major phase of
inspection, such as after reinforcement placement, stressing, or grouting.
,Question 6: Which ASTM standard covers the requirements for 7-wire
prestressing steel strand?
A. ASTM A615
B. ASTM A706
C. ASTM A416
D. ASTM A1035
CORRECT ANSWER: C. ASTM A416
Rationale: ASTM A416 is the standard specification for low-relaxation and
stress-relieved steel strand for prestressed concrete. ASTM A615 and A706
cover conventional reinforcing bars.
Question 7: What is the minimum ultimate tensile strength for Grade
270 low-relaxation prestressing strand?
A. 250 ksi
B. 260 ksi
C. 270 ksi
D. 280 ksi
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 270 ksi
Rationale: Grade 270 strand has a specified minimum ultimate tensile
strength of 270 ksi (1860 MPa). The grade designation corresponds directly
to its minimum breaking strength.
Question 8: The modulus of elasticity for a 7-wire prestressing strand is
typically taken as:
A. 10,000 to 15,000 ksi
B. 20,000 to 25,000 ksi
C. 27,000 to 30,000 ksi
D. 35,000 to 40,000 ksi
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 27,000 to 30,000 ksi
Rationale: The modulus of elasticity for prestressing strand is typically
around 28,500 ksi. This value is essential for calculating expected
elongation during stressing operations.
Question 9: In measuring elongation of a post-tensioned tendon, the
gauge length should be measured from the:
, A. Face of the anchor chuck to the face of the jack piston
B. Face of the jack to the anchor plate
C. Wedge to the live end
D. Tendon tail to the dead end
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Face of the anchor chuck to the face of the jack
piston
Rationale: This consistent measurement point accounts for the elongation
of the tendon within the jack, providing an accurate representation of the
actual strand extension during stressing.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT typically required to be
inspected during post-tensioning tendon installation?
A. Placement and profile of the tendons
B. Condition of the sheathing and anchorages
C. Calibration of the concrete batching plant
D. Location of the stressing jacks
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Calibration of the concrete batching plant
Rationale: Batching plant calibration is part of material quality control,
usually the responsibility of the testing laboratory or QC technician, not the
special inspector for prestressing operations.
Question 11: What is the primary reason for using multi-strand
stressing jacks?
A. They are lighter and easier to handle
B. They are more accurate than single-strand jacks
C. They can stress multiple tendons simultaneously for efficiency
D. They are cheaper than single-strand jacks
CORRECT ANSWER: C. They can stress multiple tendons
simultaneously for efficiency
Rationale: Multi-strand jacks are used for large projects to stress multiple
strands at once, significantly increasing efficiency compared to stressing
strands individually.
Question 12: What is the purpose of a dead-end anchorage in a post-
tensioning system?
2026/2027 | ICC 92C & 92P Certification Exam Study
Guide & Practice Questions | Prestressed Concrete
Inspection, Reinforcement, Prestressing, Grouting,
Concrete Quality & Plans Review
Question 1: What is the primary role of a Prestressed Concrete Special
Inspector according to IBC Chapter 17?
A. To design the prestressing system and select materials
B. To enforce OSHA safety regulations on site
C. To verify compliance with approved construction documents and
applicable code provisions
D. To supervise and direct the concrete placement crew
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To verify compliance with approved
construction documents and applicable code provisions
Rationale: The Special Inspector's core duty is to observe and verify that
prestressed concrete work—especially specialized stressing and grouting
operations—is performed in accordance with the approved plans,
specifications, and applicable code provisions. They do not design the
system or direct construction activities.
Question 2: According to IBC Chapter 17, who is responsible for
preparing the Statement of Special Inspections?
A. The General Contractor
B. The Registered Design Professional
C. The Special Inspector
D. The Building Official
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Registered Design Professional
Rationale: The Registered Design Professional (RDP) prepares the
Statement of Special Inspections, which identifies the specific items
requiring special inspection, including prestressing operations. This
document defines the scope of the Special Inspector's work.
Question 3: Which document officially designates the authority and
scope of work for a Special Inspector on a specific project?
A. The Special Inspector's ICC certification card
B. The project-specific Statement of Special Inspections
,C. The Owner's contract with the General Contractor
D. The local building code handbook
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The project-specific Statement of Special
Inspections
Rationale: The Statement of Special Inspections is the project-specific
document that outlines the scope, responsibilities, and authority of the
Special Inspector. It is prepared by the Registered Design Professional and
serves as the primary guide for the inspector's duties.
Question 4: What is the required action if a Special Inspector observes
a deviation from the approved plans and specifications?
A. Immediately stop all work on the project
B. Notify the contractor; if uncorrected, notify the architect/engineer of
record and building official
C. Document the deviation and continue observation without notification
D. Correct the deviation by instructing workers on the proper method
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Notify the contractor; if uncorrected, notify the
architect/engineer of record and building official
Rationale: The proper chain of notification requires the inspector to first
bring the discrepancy to the contractor's attention. If the contractor fails to
correct the issue, the inspector must then notify the engineer of record and
the building official.
Question 5: How often must a Special Inspector submit written
progress reports?
A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. After each major inspection activity or as required by the building official
D. Only at project completion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. After each major inspection activity or as
required by the building official
Rationale: The Special Inspector must submit progress reports describing
tests performed and compliance of the work after each major phase of
inspection, such as after reinforcement placement, stressing, or grouting.
,Question 6: Which ASTM standard covers the requirements for 7-wire
prestressing steel strand?
A. ASTM A615
B. ASTM A706
C. ASTM A416
D. ASTM A1035
CORRECT ANSWER: C. ASTM A416
Rationale: ASTM A416 is the standard specification for low-relaxation and
stress-relieved steel strand for prestressed concrete. ASTM A615 and A706
cover conventional reinforcing bars.
Question 7: What is the minimum ultimate tensile strength for Grade
270 low-relaxation prestressing strand?
A. 250 ksi
B. 260 ksi
C. 270 ksi
D. 280 ksi
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 270 ksi
Rationale: Grade 270 strand has a specified minimum ultimate tensile
strength of 270 ksi (1860 MPa). The grade designation corresponds directly
to its minimum breaking strength.
Question 8: The modulus of elasticity for a 7-wire prestressing strand is
typically taken as:
A. 10,000 to 15,000 ksi
B. 20,000 to 25,000 ksi
C. 27,000 to 30,000 ksi
D. 35,000 to 40,000 ksi
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 27,000 to 30,000 ksi
Rationale: The modulus of elasticity for prestressing strand is typically
around 28,500 ksi. This value is essential for calculating expected
elongation during stressing operations.
Question 9: In measuring elongation of a post-tensioned tendon, the
gauge length should be measured from the:
, A. Face of the anchor chuck to the face of the jack piston
B. Face of the jack to the anchor plate
C. Wedge to the live end
D. Tendon tail to the dead end
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Face of the anchor chuck to the face of the jack
piston
Rationale: This consistent measurement point accounts for the elongation
of the tendon within the jack, providing an accurate representation of the
actual strand extension during stressing.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT typically required to be
inspected during post-tensioning tendon installation?
A. Placement and profile of the tendons
B. Condition of the sheathing and anchorages
C. Calibration of the concrete batching plant
D. Location of the stressing jacks
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Calibration of the concrete batching plant
Rationale: Batching plant calibration is part of material quality control,
usually the responsibility of the testing laboratory or QC technician, not the
special inspector for prestressing operations.
Question 11: What is the primary reason for using multi-strand
stressing jacks?
A. They are lighter and easier to handle
B. They are more accurate than single-strand jacks
C. They can stress multiple tendons simultaneously for efficiency
D. They are cheaper than single-strand jacks
CORRECT ANSWER: C. They can stress multiple tendons
simultaneously for efficiency
Rationale: Multi-strand jacks are used for large projects to stress multiple
strands at once, significantly increasing efficiency compared to stressing
strands individually.
Question 12: What is the purpose of a dead-end anchorage in a post-
tensioning system?
