ICC (EC) Soils 1 - 130 Q & A
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - Correct Answer - National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
Correct 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: - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct Answer - 14 days
For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - Correct 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 ____. - Correct
Answer - gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
Correct Answer - volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - Correct 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. -
Correct Answer - 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
Correct Answer - 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you should
____. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct Answer - 50 ( 2" )
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated
___. - Correct Answer - National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam? -
Correct 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: - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct Answer - 14 days
For ASTM D6938 *In-Place Density and Water Content by Nuclear Methods*, Procedure A
describes ___ and Procedure B describes the ___. - Correct 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 ____. - Correct
Answer - gravimetric water content
The *volume of water* as a *percent of the total volume of soil or rock* material is the ___. -
Correct Answer - volumetric water content
Standardization of the nuclear gauge shall be performed ___. - Correct 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. -
Correct Answer - 9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean. -
Correct Answer - 4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you should
____. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct 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. - Correct Answer - 50 ( 2" )
