ICC (EC) Soils 1 - 135 Exam Questions and Answers
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - ANSWER National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
ANSWER 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
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: - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 1.5"
ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole. - ANSWER Organic
Saturated
Highly plastic
The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to be
tested. - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 14 days
For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - ANSWER 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 ____. - ANSWER
gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
ANSWER volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - ANSWER 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. -
ANSWER 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
ANSWER 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you
should ____. - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 150 = 6
600 = 24
If the nuclear gauge is to be used continuously or intermittently throughout the day, it is best
to leave it in the "_____" condition. - ANSWER Power on
The *maximum* void depth beneath the gauge shall not exceed the ___ mm = ____in. Use
___ or ___ not greater than ___mm = ___in to fill the voids. - ANSWER 3 ( 1/8" )
native fines or fine sand
3 ( 1/8" )
The test hole for the nuclear gauge should be a minimum of ___ mm ( ___ in ) deeper than the
desired measurement. - ANSWER 50 ( 2" )
Report the *density* and *dry density* to the nearest ___ kg/m3 ( ____ lbm/ft3 ) and *water
content* to the nearest ___. - ANSWER 1 ( 0.1 )
0.1%
Nuclear gauges shall be calibrated at a period not to exceed ___. - ANSWER 12 months
Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the surface in ___ regardless of the
mode used for density. - ANSWER backscatter mode
The two radioactive elements in the nuclear gauge are ___ and ___. - ANSWER cesium
americium
Any sample that cannot be rolled into a 1/8-inch thread should be considered ___. - ANSWER
nonplastic
Field density tests are used to measure the amount of ___ and the ___ of the material being
placed. - ANSWER moisture
percent compaction
Upon completion of the Liquid Limit (LL) test, remove approximately ___ to ___ grams from
the 1/2-inch closure with a spatula and place it in an oven to dry at least ___°F ( ___°C ). -
ANSWER 10 to 15g
230°F ( 110°C )
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - ANSWER National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
ANSWER 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
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: - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 1.5"
ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or
compress during the excavation of the test hole. - ANSWER Organic
Saturated
Highly plastic
The test hole volume for a sand cone test will depend on the anticipated ___ in the soil to be
tested. - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 14 days
For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - ANSWER 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 ____. - ANSWER
gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
ANSWER volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - ANSWER 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. -
ANSWER 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
ANSWER 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you
should ____. - ANSWER 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. - ANSWER 150 = 6
600 = 24
If the nuclear gauge is to be used continuously or intermittently throughout the day, it is best
to leave it in the "_____" condition. - ANSWER Power on
The *maximum* void depth beneath the gauge shall not exceed the ___ mm = ____in. Use
___ or ___ not greater than ___mm = ___in to fill the voids. - ANSWER 3 ( 1/8" )
native fines or fine sand
3 ( 1/8" )
The test hole for the nuclear gauge should be a minimum of ___ mm ( ___ in ) deeper than the
desired measurement. - ANSWER 50 ( 2" )
Report the *density* and *dry density* to the nearest ___ kg/m3 ( ____ lbm/ft3 ) and *water
content* to the nearest ___. - ANSWER 1 ( 0.1 )
0.1%
Nuclear gauges shall be calibrated at a period not to exceed ___. - ANSWER 12 months
Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the surface in ___ regardless of the
mode used for density. - ANSWER backscatter mode
The two radioactive elements in the nuclear gauge are ___ and ___. - ANSWER cesium
americium
Any sample that cannot be rolled into a 1/8-inch thread should be considered ___. - ANSWER
nonplastic
Field density tests are used to measure the amount of ___ and the ___ of the material being
placed. - ANSWER moisture
percent compaction
Upon completion of the Liquid Limit (LL) test, remove approximately ___ to ___ grams from
the 1/2-inch closure with a spatula and place it in an oven to dry at least ___°F ( ___°C ). -
ANSWER 10 to 15g
230°F ( 110°C )
