FALL 2021 CAPSTONE AIC EXAM | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (VERIFIED) | LATEST UPDATE | GRADED A+

1 FALL 2021 CAPSTONE AIC EXAM | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (VERIFIED) | LATEST UPDATE | GRADED A+ What would be the most appropriate means for the contractor to communicate to the project owner an unforeseen condition not identified in the soils report? Correct Answer: -Write a formal business letter When is the best time to distribute the working agenda to the participants of a meeting? Correct Answer: -About one day prior to the meeting The contractor has tasked his project engineer with developing an agenda for a preconstruction meeting with the architect and owner. The project engineer has received numerous emails and RFIs from subcontractors and vendors requesting a wide range of information. Which document is most appropriate to distinguish between appropriate topics for the meeting and topics better addressed through other means? Correct Answer: -General requirements What is the best time to distribute the meeting minutes to the participants? Correct Answer: -About one day after the meeting Which of the following statements is true about the use of texting as a means of communicating in the construction industry? 2 Correct Answer: -Appropriate for clarifying but not for formal direction A subcontractor identifies a significant discrepancy between the architectural and structural drawings. The subcontractor immediately meets with the general contractor at their construction trailer to discuss the discrepancy. The general contractor agrees that this could be a significant change depending on which of the drawings describes the designer's intent. Which of the following actions is the most appropriate in this situation? Correct Answer: -Draft an RFI that describes the discrepancy in detail and submit it to the architect immediately. What are the leadership skills needed to conduct a productive meeting? Correct Answer: Listening attentively, responding constructively, soliciting all ideas, and matching decision making to the situation Which of the following statements made by the indicated parties below would least likely be made at an owner/architect/contractor progress meeting? Correct Answer: Project manager: "The bond rate for ABC subcontractor is 1.45%" What is a listener's retention percentage of an oral conversation? Correct Answer: 10% Which of the following communication methods is the most effective way to know that the communication has been understood? Correct Answer: The sender should ask open-ended questions and make them speak . 3 Which of the following is the best example of an open-ended question? Correct Answer: What steps are you going to take to complete the activity? Which of the following statements about the following organizations and their justifications of its use is most appropriate when designers develop project specifications? Correct Answer: Use the Construction Specification Institute's organizational system for categorizing construction materials into divisions and sections as it is widely used by the industry. Assume you have a simple beam 16 ft long supported on each end by R1 and R2. There is a concentrated load of 900 lb that is 4 ft from R2. Reaction R1 is pinned 12 ft from the load. Reaction R1 is 225 lb and R2 is 675 lb. What is the maximum bending moment in pounds per foot? Correct Answer: 2,700 Assume that you are pouring a wall that is 151 ft 4 in. long, 14 ft high and, 1 ft 4 in. thick. The crew's daily placement rate is 375 cy per 8-hr day. How many hours will it take to complete the wall? Correct Answer: 2.2 (151.33ft X 14ft X 1.33FT) X (1cy/27cft)=104.6cy 375cy/8hr=46.9hr/cy=2.2 hr 4 Using the average soil weights from the table fig. 1, what is the swell percentage of a loam soil? Correct Answer: 23.8% SW%=((Bcy/Lcy)-1) X 100 (2600/2100)-1 X 100 =23.8% Using the psychrometric chart provided in Figure 2, what is the enthalpy of 2 lb. of air given a dry bulb temperature of 75º F and a relative humidity of 50%? Correct Answer: 56 BTUs 28 BTUs/lb from fig. 2 28 BTUs/lb X 2lb = 56BTUs An HVAC technician is inspecting an outside condensing unit of an air source heat pump in the summer. The unit is energized and appears to be operating normally. One of the refrigerant lines is cool to the touch and insulated. Which of the following statements is most likely true about this refrigerant line and the phase of the refrigerant in it? Correct Answer: It is a suction line and the refrigerant is a gas at a relatively low pressure Which statement most accurately describes how a 3-phase, 120/208V load would be wired? Correct Answer: Three hot and one neutral conductor 5 Which fire protection system would be most appropriate for an unconditioned warehouse located in Chicago if the warehouse contains materials such as paper, wood and other type A combustibles? Correct Answer: Dry pipe system The owner wants to fast-track a construction project. Which project delivery system best supports this process? Correct Answer: Design-build An owner has contracted with an engineering firm to address a sinkhole that has developed at the corner of an existing building. The engineer recommends pressure grouting the sinkhole at a minimum of three locations. The engineer estimates it will require between 100 and 250 cubic yards of grout. The engineer assists the owner develop the contractors' bid documents and the scope of work. Which type of contract would be most appropriate for this project? Correct Answer: Unit price A successful contractor operating as a sole proprietor is considering restructuring her company to reduce her personal risk. Which of the following would be the most appropriate action for her to take? Correct Answer: Create a LLC by filing with the state in which she lives A project engineer has been tasked with writing a purchase order for a large steel package. The owner is a local municipality and is tax exempt. The project engineer is employed by a small business enterprise (SBE) registered with the federal government. When writing the purchase order, which law should be reviewed to ensure the basic rules governing the sale are complied with? 6 Correct Answer: Uniform Commercial Code A contract is entered into in which the owner holds a contract with the architect and each trade contractor. In addition, the owner holds a contract with a management service company to perform the trade coordination, cost control, and scheduling services. What is this project delivery method called? Correct Answer: Construction management A contractor submits a bid for a large commercial project relying on a bid from a steel subcontractor. The contractor is awarded the project; however, when attempting to award the subcontract, the steel subcontractor retracts their bid. The next lowest steel bid was 10% higher. Which of the following is the most appropriate legal argument for the contractor to make if seeking restitution? Correct Answer: Promissory estoppel Which graphical measurement tool is a bar chart that displays a frequency distribution? Correct Answer: Histogram Using the financial statements provided in Figures 3a and 3b, calculate the working capital for this company at the end of the year? Correct Answer: $733,154 1,415,815-682,661=$733,154 Using the financial statements provided in Figures 3a and 3b, calculate the current ratio? 7 Correct Answer: 2.07 $1,415,815 / $682,611 =2.07 Using the financial statements provided in Figures 3a and 3b, calculate the quick ratio (acid test)? Correct Answer: 1.00 ($260,631 + $423,731)/$682,661 = 1.00 Which piece of equipment and attachment would be the most efficient method to excavate inside a cofferdam? Correct Answer: Crane with a clamshell attachment Which of the following is the most efficient temporary form system to support freshly placed concrete poured continually in a vertical direction? Correct Answer: Slip form system Which CSI division contains the bidding requirements for a project? Correct Answer: 00 A junior architect has been tasked with providing an additional product submittal requirement to the bid documents before they are released to the contractors. Where would the most appropriate place for the requirement be located? Correct Answer: Part 3 of the applicable section of the specifications 8 The technical specifications reference ASHRAE as a publisher of numerous technical standards. What does the acronym ASHRAE stand for? Correct Answer: American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Select which party is typically responsible for designing temporary structural formwork? Correct Answer: Contractor/vendor Which of the following systems is designed to carry the total vertical load of a structure? Correct Answer: Piling During a construction project, a contractor used an area of the site for parking. The site was originally vegetated with grass and small bushes before it was cleared for parking. After it rained, this area was often muddy causing trucks and equipment to get stuck. Gravel was put down on two separate occasions to mitigate this problem. The parking area is now scheduled to be built on. Which would be the most appropriate piece of equipment to compact the soil? Correct Answer: Smooth wheel roller Using only the information provided in Figure 4, which concrete beam is most likely to be under the lowest tensile stress? Correct Answer: 1 B10 9 Using the information provided in Figure 5, which of the following is a claim that can be made? Correct Answer: The roofing structure will not carry the dead weight of the unit Which party has the design liability for a prescriptive specification? Correct Answer: Architect/engineer Which of the following items would not typically be included with the instruction to bidders (ITB) bid document? Correct Answer: Subcontractors the prime contractor proposes to use The contractor submits a bid for $1,303,071 with the appropriate forms. They receive a notice of award letter indicating that their bid has been selected. The contractor decides not to accept the contract. Which of the following statements is a likely outcome? Correct Answer: They will lose the amount of their bid bond face value. Using the bond premium schedule below, what is the bond premium for a $2,755,000 project? First $5,000 = $12.00/$1,000 Next $2M = $6,000 + $7.25/$1,000 Next $2.5M= $20,500 + $5.75/$1,000 Correct Answer: $45,373 First 5K=$5,000/1,000 X $12.00 = $60 Next 2m=$6,000 + (2,000,000/1,000) X $7.25 = $20,500 Next 2.5M = $20,500 + (2,755,000 - 2,005,000)/1,000 X $5.75=$24,813 $60+20,500 + 24,813 = $45,373 10 The plans call for the contractor to drive, pull, and salvage steel sheet piling 15 ft deep. The estimated quantity is 12,000 sq ft of contact area (SFCA). Given the crew makeup as shown in Figure 6, an 8-hr workday, and a crew daily output of 545 SFCA, what is the productivity rate expressed in work hours per unit (Whr/Unit)? Correct Answer: 0.110 60 Whr/545 SFCA = 0.110 The plans call for the contractor to drive, pull, and salvage steel sheet piling 15 ft deep. The estimated quantity is 12,000 sq ft of contact area (SFCA). Given the crew makeup as shown in Figure 6, an 8-hr workday, and a crew daily output of 545 SFCA, how many total work hours are expended per day? Correct Answer: 60 1 X 8 + 4 X 8 + 2 X 8 + .5 X 8 = 60 Given a rectangular cofferdam that is 60 ft wide × 100 ft long and 10 ft deep and enclosed with a 3-ft toe, how many total SFCA are required for the sheet piling? Correct Answer: 4,160 60+100+60+100 = 320 lnft 320 lnft X 13 ft = 4,160 SFCA Given the information provided in Figure 7 for a rectangular cofferdam that is 60 ft wide × 100 ft long and 10 ft deep and enclosed with a 3-ft toe, approximately how many total board feet (BF) are needed for all of the cofferdam components, including waste? Correct Answer: 25,565 11 Using the information provided in Figures 8a and 8b, how many cubic yards of concrete are needed for the walls (excluding foundation and slab)? Correct Answer: 101 Using the information provided in Figures 8a and 8b, how many bank cubic yards of soil must be excavated and removed? Assume the existing grade is 204 ft and that excavated soil is being used for backfilling. Correct Answer: 350 Using Figure 9a what is the budgeted unit work hours in work hours per unit for the column forms? Correct Answer: 0.171 428/2,499=0.171 Using Figure 9a what is the weekly unit work hours in work hours per unit for the column forms? Correct Answer: 0.195 17/87=0.195 Using the information provided in Figure 9a what is the to date unit work hours in work hours per unit for the column forms? Correct Answer: 0.241 27/112 = 0.241 12 Using the information provided in Figure 9a what are the total earned work hours for the column forms? Correct Answer: 19 112 X .171 = 19 Using the information provided in Figure 9a what is the total projected work hours at completion for the column forms? Correct Answer: 602 2,4499 X .241 = 602 Using the information provided in Figure 9a what is the projected gain/loss in work hours for the column forms? Correct Answer: (174) 428-602 = (174) Using the information provided in Figure 9b what is the budgeted unit cost in dollars per unit for the concrete footings? Correct Answer: 21.45 5,490/256 = 21.45 Using the information provided in Figure 9b what is the week labor unit cost in dollars per unit for the concrete footings? Correct Answer: 14.60 13 365/25 = 14.6 Using the information provided in Figure 9b what is the to date unit cost in dollars per unit for the concrete footings? Correct Answer: 20.13 805/40 = 20.13 Using the information provided in Figure 9b what is the total projected cost at completion for the concrete footings? Correct Answer: 5,150.72 256 X 20.12 = 5,150.72 Using the information provided in Figure 9c what is the current projection for the quantities of piles in vertical linear feet (VLF)? Correct Answer: 5,980 6,700-720 = 5,980 Which statement is true about the critical path? Correct Answer: Is the longest string of activities through the schedule How is free float defined? Correct Answer: The amount of slack between activities 14 Which types of activities are considered first when compressing the length of a project? Correct Answer: Zero float and least cost to compress How is the term fast tracking defined in construction? Correct Answer: Overlapping execution of the design,procurement, and construction What is the name of the term for shifting the activities within their available free floats to produce a uniform workforce and reduce the maximum resource usage requirements? Correct Answer: Resource leveling What is the best source for developing the list of activities for the logic network and schedule? Correct Answer: Technical specifications How is total float defined? Correct Answer: How much a series of activities can be delayed without delaying a project Using the information provided in Figure 10, what is the total number of days to complete this sequence of activities? Correct Answer: 14 Using the information provided in Figure 10, what are the critical activities for this logic network? 15 Correct Answer: A, C, F, G Using the information provided in Figure 10, what is the total float for activity B? Correct Answer: 2 10-8 or -0 =2 Using the information provided in Figure 10, what is the free float between activities B and G? Correct Answer: 2 ES next - EF 10-8=2 The Safety Standards utilize the abbreviation 29 CFR Part 1926. What does the acronym CFR stand for? Correct Answer: Code of Federal Regulations Which part of the OSHA Standards is designated for record keeping? Correct Answer: 1904 According to OSHA, which document must the supervisor complete immediately after an accident by describing the accident in detail? Correct Answer: OSHA's Injury and Illness Incident Report (Form 301) 16 When and where must a project's OSHA Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) be posted? Correct Answer: February 11-April 30 and accessible to all employees at the job site According to OSHA, what is the name of the violation where the firm or designated person is aware that a hazardous condition exists, knows that the condition violates a standard, and makes no effort to eliminate the safety hazard? Correct Answer: Willful violation The pipefitting subcontractor is required to lay pipe in a trench that is 10 ft deep and 3 ft wide with vertical walls and no sloping or other protection. The trench was dug by the excavator. The general contractor supervised the work but had no employees in the trench. The concrete subcontractor told the general contractor and excavator that the trench needed to be sloped or shored before their employees could work in the trench. During the OSHA inspection, OSHA observed the general contractor at the trench supervising the pipefitter in the trench. Which contractor(s) would receive a citation for an unsafe trench? Correct Answer: Pipefitting, excavator, and general contractor What is the maximum horizontal travel distance to retrieve a fire extinguisher for a project under construction? Correct Answer: 100 ft OSHA mandates that fall protection must be in place for difference in elevations greater that how many vertical feet? Correct Answer: 6 ft 17 What is the elevation of the top guardrail from the floor to protect against falls on a leading edge? Correct Answer: 42 in +/- 3 inches How many feet must the side rails of an extension ladder extend beyond the upper landing service? Correct Answer: 3 ft The job site has a primary vertical control point with a reference benchmark of 100 ft. An instrument is set up with an HI of 5.42 ft above the BM. A grade stake is set at an elevation of 96 ft. What is the height reading on the rod at the grade stake? Correct Answer: 9.42 ft 5.42 + 4.00 = 9.42 ft or 105.42 - 96.00 = .42 ft Using the information provided in Figure 11, what is the benchmark elevation at IP #4? Correct Answer: 889.90 877.26 + 19.01 (total BS) - 6.37 (total FS) = 889.90 A superintendent wants to check if a 25' high block wall is within tolerances. Which of the following tools and their use would be the most appropriate? 18 Correct Answer: Use a plumb bob to measure the vertical plane What issue would a surveyor most likely need to account for when using a steel 300' measuring tape? Correct Answer: Expansion of the tape in warm weather Which of the following situations would be most advantageous for using an inverted philadelphia rod? Correct Answer: Verifying the elevation of ceiling mounted ductwork A superintendent needs to layout the perimeter strip footings, batter boards and utility lines for a new structure adjacent to an existing building. Which single piece of equipment would be most useful to complete this task? Correct Answer: Total station Which of the following grades is common on U.S. highways? Correct Answer: 4% A contractor is preparing a site logistics plan and notices on the site plan that at the north boundary of the project the topographical lines are very close together. Which of the following would likely be an appropriate action to take? Correct Answer: Evaluate alternatives to silt fencing Which of the following contract documents would be inappropriate to use if the scope addressed material costs, labor units, rental equipment and taxes? 19 Correct Answer: Purchase order A clause in the Subcontract Agreement states that "the Subcontractor binds themselves to the Contractor for the performance of the Subcontractor's work in the same manner as the Contractor is bound to the Owner for such performance under Contractor's contract with the owner." Which category would this contract clause fall under? Correct Answer: Condition precedent Which of the following terms is the most favorable to the purchaser? Correct Answer: 3/20 Net 60 Which party typically obtains the general building permit? Correct Answer: Contractor If an employee wanted to increase the amount of taxes withheld from their paycheck, which would be the most appropriate form to ask for from the HR department? Correct Answer: W-4 Which of the following are the best steps when receiving materials? Correct Answer: Inspect delivery, note damages, count items and compare to the bill of lading A new hospital is in the preconstruction phase and the architect of record has drafted the project agreement. The agreement calls for the architect to be the initial decision maker for any contractor disputes that arise on the project including any claims that 20 allege errors and omissions against them. The general contractor wants that provision stricken from the project agreement because they believe that the design team should not be ruling on their own potential errors or omissions. Which justification and action is the most appropriate? Correct Answer: While not unethical, perceptions can be more important that reality and it should be removed. Which duties change as a person moves up an organizational chart? Correct Answer: Analysis skills increase and communication skills increase A contractor receives an invitation to bid a project located in Miami on June 1st and provides a bid to the owner on July 1st. The bid documents indicate that the start of the project is August 1st and has a duration of 365 calendar days. The contractor is awarded the contract on July 15th with the notice to proceed given on August 15th. During the construction of the job, there are five days lost due to rain. When is the contractor required to complete the project by? Correct Answer: August 15th the following year While the designer is inspecting the building and creating a punch list it is discovered that the flooring contractor installed a substantially inferior carpet than what was indicated in the specification. After the deficiency was discovered, could the contractor obtain a certificate of occupancy from the AHJ? Correct Answer: Yes, it isn't a life safety issue so a certificate of occupancy could be issued Review the following task descriptions and indicate which would be the most appropriate to report progress on a field superintendent's daily log. 21 Correct Answer: Poured 75 cy concrete, placed rebar, and stripped forms for columns D1-D4.