ICC SOILS CARDS 1 – 70 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During a sieve analysis procedure, you ___ turn or manipulate fragments in the sample
through the sieve by hand. - Correct Answers -cannot
When performing a hydrometer test, water shall be maintained at or near ___. - Correct
Answers -68°F
The soak time for the sample in solution during a Particle-Size Analysis shall be at least
___. - Correct Answers -16 hours
Hydrometer readings shall be taken from the ___. - Correct Answers -Top of the
meniscus
Two methods are used to prepare a test for liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), and
plasticity index (PI): - Correct Answers -wet, dry
Upon job site arrival, special inspector checks in with who? - Correct Answers -
Contractor
A statement of special inspections is prepped by whom? - Correct Answers -RDP
Verifying the proper materials, densities, and lift thicknesses during placement and
compaction of compacted fills requires ____ inspection. - Correct Answers -Continuous
Where the classification, strength of compressibility of soil is in doubt, or where a load-
bearing value superior to that specified by code, the Building Official shall be permitted
to require a ____ be conducted. - Correct Answers -Geotechnical Evaluation
Where expansive soil is found when designing a foundation, it shall be removed to a
sufficient depth to ensure constant _____ in the remaining soil. - Correct Answers -
Moisture content
Requirements for the foundation clearances from slopes shall conform to IBC 2012,
________. - Correct Answers -Figure 1808.7.1
, For the LL, PL and PI, the method of preparation shall be specified by the requesting
authority and if no method is specified, us the ___ method. - Correct Answers -Wet
Two methods are used for determining ___: Method A (multipoint) or Method B (one-
point). - Correct Answers -Liquid Limit (LL)
The method of preparation for the LL shall be specified by the requesting authority and
if no method is specified, there is a dispute, or greater precision is required, use Method
____. - Correct Answers -A
The LL, PL, and PI are performed on the portion of the soil that passes the ____ sieve. -
Correct Answers -No. 40
The water content, in percent, of the soil at the arbitrarily defined boundary between
liquid and plastic states is known as the ___. - Correct Answers -Liquid Limit (LL)
The water content, in percent, of a soil at the boundary between the plastic and semi-
solid states is known as the ___. - Correct Answers -Plastic Limit (PL)
The ___ is calculated as the difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit. The
equation is as follows:
___ = __ - ___. - Correct Answers -Plasticity index;
PI = LL - PL
Originally there were six "limits of consistency" of fine-grained soils. Now LL, PL, and in
some references, the shrinkage limit is known as the ____. - Correct Answers -
Atterberg limits
The Plastic Limit "hand method" requires placing a mass of soil on a glass plate, then -
with your fingers - roll it into a ___ in diameter. - Correct Answers -1/8 inch
When sampling from a roadway, obtain at least ___ equal increments selected
randomly from the unit being sampled. - Correct Answers -3
If sampling from a stockpile of fine aggregate, always remove the ___ and sample the
material beneath. - Correct Answers -Outer layer
The Standard Effort lab max applies to soils that have 30% or less by weight retained
on the ___. - Correct Answers -3/4-inch sieve
When performing a proctor test for Procedures/Methods A & B, both require 5 layers
with ____ per layer. - Correct Answers -25 blows
Procedure/Method C of the proctor test (ASTM D698 or D1557) requires 5 layers with
___ per layer. - Correct Answers -56 blows
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During a sieve analysis procedure, you ___ turn or manipulate fragments in the sample
through the sieve by hand. - Correct Answers -cannot
When performing a hydrometer test, water shall be maintained at or near ___. - Correct
Answers -68°F
The soak time for the sample in solution during a Particle-Size Analysis shall be at least
___. - Correct Answers -16 hours
Hydrometer readings shall be taken from the ___. - Correct Answers -Top of the
meniscus
Two methods are used to prepare a test for liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), and
plasticity index (PI): - Correct Answers -wet, dry
Upon job site arrival, special inspector checks in with who? - Correct Answers -
Contractor
A statement of special inspections is prepped by whom? - Correct Answers -RDP
Verifying the proper materials, densities, and lift thicknesses during placement and
compaction of compacted fills requires ____ inspection. - Correct Answers -Continuous
Where the classification, strength of compressibility of soil is in doubt, or where a load-
bearing value superior to that specified by code, the Building Official shall be permitted
to require a ____ be conducted. - Correct Answers -Geotechnical Evaluation
Where expansive soil is found when designing a foundation, it shall be removed to a
sufficient depth to ensure constant _____ in the remaining soil. - Correct Answers -
Moisture content
Requirements for the foundation clearances from slopes shall conform to IBC 2012,
________. - Correct Answers -Figure 1808.7.1
, For the LL, PL and PI, the method of preparation shall be specified by the requesting
authority and if no method is specified, us the ___ method. - Correct Answers -Wet
Two methods are used for determining ___: Method A (multipoint) or Method B (one-
point). - Correct Answers -Liquid Limit (LL)
The method of preparation for the LL shall be specified by the requesting authority and
if no method is specified, there is a dispute, or greater precision is required, use Method
____. - Correct Answers -A
The LL, PL, and PI are performed on the portion of the soil that passes the ____ sieve. -
Correct Answers -No. 40
The water content, in percent, of the soil at the arbitrarily defined boundary between
liquid and plastic states is known as the ___. - Correct Answers -Liquid Limit (LL)
The water content, in percent, of a soil at the boundary between the plastic and semi-
solid states is known as the ___. - Correct Answers -Plastic Limit (PL)
The ___ is calculated as the difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit. The
equation is as follows:
___ = __ - ___. - Correct Answers -Plasticity index;
PI = LL - PL
Originally there were six "limits of consistency" of fine-grained soils. Now LL, PL, and in
some references, the shrinkage limit is known as the ____. - Correct Answers -
Atterberg limits
The Plastic Limit "hand method" requires placing a mass of soil on a glass plate, then -
with your fingers - roll it into a ___ in diameter. - Correct Answers -1/8 inch
When sampling from a roadway, obtain at least ___ equal increments selected
randomly from the unit being sampled. - Correct Answers -3
If sampling from a stockpile of fine aggregate, always remove the ___ and sample the
material beneath. - Correct Answers -Outer layer
The Standard Effort lab max applies to soils that have 30% or less by weight retained
on the ___. - Correct Answers -3/4-inch sieve
When performing a proctor test for Procedures/Methods A & B, both require 5 layers
with ____ per layer. - Correct Answers -25 blows
Procedure/Method C of the proctor test (ASTM D698 or D1557) requires 5 layers with
___ per layer. - Correct Answers -56 blows
