Virginia Geotechnical Drilling Technician
Examination Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
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1. During a geotechnical drilling operation for a proposed highway bridge
in Virginia, the primary purpose of performing a Standard Penetration
Test (SPT) at specified depth intervals is to obtain information
regarding the density, consistency, and engineering characteristics of
subsurface materials for design and construction purposes. Which
statement best describes the standard procedure for conducting an
SPT?
A. Drive a split-spoon sampler 12 inches and record total blows only
B. Drive a Shelby tube continuously and record penetration resistance
C. Drive a split-spoon sampler 18 inches, disregarding the first 6 inches and
,summing blows for the final 12 inches
D. Push a cone penetrometer hydraulically and record tip resistance only
C. Drive a split-spoon sampler 18 inches, disregarding the first 6 inches and
summing blows for the final 12 inches
The SPT N-value is determined by summing the hammer blows required to
drive the sampler through the second and third 6-inch increments after an
initial seating drive of 6 inches.
2. A drilling technician discovers that groundwater enters a borehole
rapidly during advancement through a sandy stratum. What is the
most appropriate action to maintain borehole stability and sample
quality?
A. Increase drilling speed without adjustment
B. Use appropriate drilling fluid or casing as required
C. Ignore the groundwater because it has no effect on drilling
D. Abandon the boring immediately
B. Use appropriate drilling fluid or casing as required
Groundwater can destabilize borehole walls, especially in granular soils.
Temporary casing or drilling fluid helps maintain borehole integrity and
improve sample recovery.
, 3. When classifying soil in the field according to visual-manual
procedures, which soil property is most useful in distinguishing clay
from silt?
A. Particle color only
B. Plasticity characteristics
C. Moisture content only
D. Grain angularity
B. Plasticity characteristics
Clays exhibit significant plasticity and can be molded when moist, whereas
silts generally display little or no plastic behavior.
4. A drilling rig operator must position the rig on sloping terrain before
beginning subsurface exploration. What is the most important safety
consideration?
A. Maximizing drilling speed
B. Increasing hammer weight
C. Ensuring the rig is properly leveled and stabilized
D. Reducing sample frequency
C. Ensuring the rig is properly leveled and stabilized
A stable drilling platform reduces the risk of overturning and provides
safer, more accurate drilling operations.
, 5. Which drilling method is most commonly used for geotechnical soil
borings in unconsolidated materials?
A. Hollow-stem auger drilling
B. Diamond core drilling only
C. Blast-hole drilling
D. Reverse circulation mining drilling
A. Hollow-stem auger drilling
Hollow-stem auger drilling is widely used for geotechnical investigations
because it permits sampling while maintaining borehole stability in many
soil conditions.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining undisturbed soil samples?
A. Determine soil color only
B. Preserve natural structure and moisture conditions for laboratory testing
C. Increase drilling production rates
D. Measure groundwater elevation only
B. Preserve natural structure and moisture conditions for laboratory testing
Undisturbed samples are essential for laboratory tests involving strength,
compressibility, and other engineering properties.
7. A Shelby tube sample is generally most suitable for collecting:
A. Dense gravel
B. Cobbles and boulders
Examination Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. During a geotechnical drilling operation for a proposed highway bridge
in Virginia, the primary purpose of performing a Standard Penetration
Test (SPT) at specified depth intervals is to obtain information
regarding the density, consistency, and engineering characteristics of
subsurface materials for design and construction purposes. Which
statement best describes the standard procedure for conducting an
SPT?
A. Drive a split-spoon sampler 12 inches and record total blows only
B. Drive a Shelby tube continuously and record penetration resistance
C. Drive a split-spoon sampler 18 inches, disregarding the first 6 inches and
,summing blows for the final 12 inches
D. Push a cone penetrometer hydraulically and record tip resistance only
C. Drive a split-spoon sampler 18 inches, disregarding the first 6 inches and
summing blows for the final 12 inches
The SPT N-value is determined by summing the hammer blows required to
drive the sampler through the second and third 6-inch increments after an
initial seating drive of 6 inches.
2. A drilling technician discovers that groundwater enters a borehole
rapidly during advancement through a sandy stratum. What is the
most appropriate action to maintain borehole stability and sample
quality?
A. Increase drilling speed without adjustment
B. Use appropriate drilling fluid or casing as required
C. Ignore the groundwater because it has no effect on drilling
D. Abandon the boring immediately
B. Use appropriate drilling fluid or casing as required
Groundwater can destabilize borehole walls, especially in granular soils.
Temporary casing or drilling fluid helps maintain borehole integrity and
improve sample recovery.
, 3. When classifying soil in the field according to visual-manual
procedures, which soil property is most useful in distinguishing clay
from silt?
A. Particle color only
B. Plasticity characteristics
C. Moisture content only
D. Grain angularity
B. Plasticity characteristics
Clays exhibit significant plasticity and can be molded when moist, whereas
silts generally display little or no plastic behavior.
4. A drilling rig operator must position the rig on sloping terrain before
beginning subsurface exploration. What is the most important safety
consideration?
A. Maximizing drilling speed
B. Increasing hammer weight
C. Ensuring the rig is properly leveled and stabilized
D. Reducing sample frequency
C. Ensuring the rig is properly leveled and stabilized
A stable drilling platform reduces the risk of overturning and provides
safer, more accurate drilling operations.
, 5. Which drilling method is most commonly used for geotechnical soil
borings in unconsolidated materials?
A. Hollow-stem auger drilling
B. Diamond core drilling only
C. Blast-hole drilling
D. Reverse circulation mining drilling
A. Hollow-stem auger drilling
Hollow-stem auger drilling is widely used for geotechnical investigations
because it permits sampling while maintaining borehole stability in many
soil conditions.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining undisturbed soil samples?
A. Determine soil color only
B. Preserve natural structure and moisture conditions for laboratory testing
C. Increase drilling production rates
D. Measure groundwater elevation only
B. Preserve natural structure and moisture conditions for laboratory testing
Undisturbed samples are essential for laboratory tests involving strength,
compressibility, and other engineering properties.
7. A Shelby tube sample is generally most suitable for collecting:
A. Dense gravel
B. Cobbles and boulders
