Heavy Civil Exam 2 Practice

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• In dynamic compaction, what combination of weight and drop height is typical to achieve densification to depths around 30 ft?
• What describes resource leveling and its potential trade-off?
• How does haul distance affect project cost in earthwork?
• Which of the following are major factors influencing soil density?
• Common consequences of inadequate backfill around utilities include which of the following?
• Distinguish end-bearing piles from friction piles.
• In CPM, which statement best describes what determines project duration?
• Which of the following is NOT a determinant of trench width and depth?
• Platy-shaped grains describe which soil type?
• What is the purpose of stormwater detention basins in highway projects?
• Economical haul distance for large dozers, pushing material, is approximately?
• What does slump testing assess and why is it important for concrete pours?
• Which statement correctly distinguishes subgrade, subbase, and base in pavement layers?
• Which load case is not typically considered for bridge abutment design?
• Manning’s roughness coefficient n represents what aspect of open-channel flow?
• At what limit is the water content of a soil when it passes from the plastic to liquid state?
• A tamping foot compactor compacts coil from the bottom of the lift to the top.
• What defines a change order and when is it typically issued?
• Which equipment is most effective for compacting cohesive soils?
• A tamping foot compactor does not adequately compact the upper 2-3 inches of a lift.
• In pavement structure, which layer is the stiff layer beneath the surface for load transfer?
• What are common types of connections used in heavy civil steel structures?
• How do sediment basin and silt fence differ in sediment control functions?
• EPS geofoam embankments are lightweight and can be finished to resemble slopes or walls. Which statement best describes this?
• What is the role of the survey control network in construction?
• What distinguishes Standard Proctor from Modified Proctor tests in soil compaction?
• What is a typical sequence for placing earthwork on a long project with cuts and fills?
• What is lime-stabilized base and its benefits?
• What is the purpose of a traffic control plan (TCP) on a heavy civil project?
• What is an advantage of a tower crane?
• Which piece of equipment is not primarily used for soil compaction?
• Float is defined as the amount of time a non-critical activity can be delayed without delaying project completion. What is a typical use of float in project management?
• When is a construction change order typically issued?
• What hydrologic design criterion does a 100-year storm represent and why is it used?
• Which statement about the maximum point is incorrect?
• Lime stabilization improves which soil property?
• In cut/fill balance analysis, what does a positive balance indicate?
• In CPM, if a delay occurs on a non-critical activity, what is a possible consequence?
• Vibratory plate compactors are best utilized for?
• Describe the cut/fill balance method using cross-section area data.
• How do you estimate earthwork quantities for a linear project using cross-sections?
• How do soil swell and shrinkage affect earthwork quantities and elevations?
• What is a quantity takeoff (QTO) and what is its purpose?
• What is relative compaction and how is it computed?
• Geosynthetic reinforcement is used to improve stability in deficient soils.
• What is the maximum loose-lift depth for a single smooth drum vibratory compactor?
• Which QA/QC method uses a nuclear gauge to measure in-place density in asphalt pavement?
• Non-cohesive or sandy soils have low LL? what amount?
• What is the typical speed range for a padded-drum vibratory roller?
• EPS geofoam is approximately (1) 100, (2) 20 times lighter than soil and other fill alternatives. Which option reflects this ratio?
• Which factors determine trench width and depth for utility installation?
• Which device is commonly used to verify field density?
• What is the lift thickness for a tamping foot compactor?
• Which factor is protected by minimum concrete cover to reinforcing steel and helps ensure durability?
• The lowest water content at which a soil remains plastic is called which limit?
• How do total float and free float differ in CPM scheduling?
• In a mass diagram, descending lines indicate which condition?
• Which operation involves transporting excavated material to the site and returning it?
• The minimum point is where which transition occurs?
• Which type of soil is typically removed before construction?
• What is overbreak in blasting and what is its impact on earthwork estimates?
• Which of the following costs increases with longer haul distance?
• Which statement best defines Manning's equation and its use in civil hydraulics?
• What is the purpose of plan notes and typical sections in plan interpretation?
• What is lime stabilization and when is it used?
• When adjusting water content to achieve the optimum moisture content, which factors should be considered?
• What constitutes acceptance criteria for 28-day concrete cylinder strength?
• What is the purpose of the Critical Path Method (CPM) in project scheduling?
• What is a punch list, and where is it used in construction?
• Why are temporary works and shoring essential in excavation?
• Which equipment is suitable for compacting most granular soils?
• Which of the following is an erosion and sediment control BMP?
• Which statement correctly identifies common culvert types and a primary sizing consideration?
• Which steps are included in finishing earthwork after excavation?
• Which equipment is best for compacting most granular soils?
• On a mass diagram, the region above the zero line indicates which?
• Which densities are used to compute relative compaction?
• What are as-built drawings and why are they important?
• What describes the subbase in pavement layers?
• What does the zero balance line represent on a mass diagram?
• Modified Proctor test uses which hammer weight?
• What is a common trade-off of resource leveling in CPM planning?
• Distinguish bearing capacity and settlement in foundation design.
• Soil and rock in their natural state are rarely uniform.
• What is the most common method of reducing moisture in soil?
• What is the main objective of drainage design in road projects?
• For tamping foot compaction, what speed is used during the first three passes?
• As-built surveys serve what purpose in project maintenance and recordkeeping?
• Which densification method can achieve depths of about 30 ft using 30 ton weights and 100 ft drop heights?
• How is field density typically measured and which device is commonly used?
• Which of the following is NOT an erosion and sediment control BMP?
• What is a control joint in concrete pavements and why is it used?
• How is relative compaction expressed in soil compaction assessments?
• Which compaction equipment is best for compacting the granular base of a large parking lot?
• In concrete pavements, a control joint is used to create planned weak lines at set intervals to control cracking.
• What is the definition of total float?
• Mass diagrams can help determine average haul distance.
• In Manning's equation, how does increasing the Manning roughness coefficient n affect the calculated discharge for a given channel?
• Why is soil compaction performed in embankment construction?
• Distinguish field tests from lab tests in QA/QC for heavy civil.
• What is also known as a backfill tamper?
• A sheepsfoot roller is most suitable for compacting which soil type?
• Plasticity Index is defined as which of the following?
• Over-excavation is performed when soils are unstable or contaminated.
• What is riprap used for?
• Which equipment is not effective in compacting fine-grained clays, which compact by static-load and kneading action?
• Which statement about the primary purpose of a geotechnical report is true?
• The statement 'The higher the Plasticity Index, the more clay is present in the soil' is:
• For a single smooth drum vibratory compactor, what is the most effective means of attaining density in cohesionless materials?
• Which measures address trench safety when installing utilities in trenches?
• Using Manning’s equation, which quantity is solved for when discharge Q, roughness n, slope S, and channel shape are known?
• When you move rock and dirt the only thing that stays constant is:
• Which statement best defines Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) in soil compaction?
• Which type of compactor is used for granular soils and asphalt?
• What is the role of geotextiles and geogrids in stabilization measures?
• Name two common soil stabilization methods for poor subgrade soils.
• Which of the following is generally NOT a purpose of soil compaction?
• Which contract type pays a fixed price for the entire scope?
• Therefore, the last lift should be rolled with a pneumatic or smooth-drum roller.
• What is the effect of a shrinkage factor on rock excavation volumes?
• On a mass diagram, the region below the zero line indicates which?
• What does LL stand for in soil mechanics?
• Which haul distance category is associated with trucks?
• Which of the following is NOT a component of a typical traffic control plan?
• In a mass diagram, ascending lines indicate which condition?
• Which statement describes the primary use of a tamping foot compactor?
• Densification is accomplished by:
• Which pavement repair replaces the entire thickness of the pavement?
• A layer of soil placed on top of soil previously placed in an embankment. This term can be used in reference to material as spread or as compacted.
• Normally, it is good practice to adjust water content to what OMC?
• In end-bearing piles, load is primarily transferred to what?
• Which statement accurately describes active earth pressure on a retaining wall?
• Why is air entrainment added to concrete and what is a typical air content range?
• If the roughness coefficient n increases, what happens to discharge Q for a fixed cross-sectional area and slope?
• Rankine earth pressure theory is used to estimate what in retaining wall design?
• If a soil has a liquid limit less than 20, it is typically classified as which soil type?
• The engineering properties of most soils can be improved by which process?
• The art of mechanically densifying materials is called which term?
• Define slump and what a true slump versus collapse indicates about concrete.
• Which of the following is not a standard curing method for poured concrete?
• ASHTO T-99 corresponds to which test?
• Which compaction mechanism generally provides the highest depth of compaction?
• What practices help minimize erosion and sediment transport during construction?
• Modified Proctor test uses how many layers?
• Why are joints needed in concrete pavements?
• Which statement correctly describes the energy use in Standard Proctor vs Modified Proctor tests?
• What is the maximum point on a mass diagram the location of?
• Which statement best describes the relationship between pavement International Roughness Index (IRI) and smoothness?
• Name typical load cases for bridge abutment design.
• Lime stabilization targets which soils?
• How is allowable bearing pressure computed?
• What is the primary purpose of a geotechnical report on a heavy civil project?
• Which soil parameter is used alongside gamma in the bearing capacity equation for shallow foundations?
• Economical haul distance for trucks is approximately?
• When you move rock and dirt the only thing that stays constant is what?
• Which statement best defines bearing capacity?
• Which statement describes the finishing method after tamping a lift to achieve the final surface?
• During erosion control planning, sequencing is important because it...
• Economical haul distance for push-loaded scrapers is approximately?
• Which statement correctly describes the borrow region on a mass diagram?
• What is a subgrade modulus and how is it used in pavement design?
• What is the difference between a plan quantity and an as-built quantity?
• In the Standard Proctor test, the energy is expressed as which value?
• Why is quality control essential in earthwork operations?
• Which region on a mass diagram corresponds to borrow?
• Which factors influence active earth pressure on a retaining wall?
• Why are grade control and staking essential in earthwork?
• How is bearing capacity for shallow foundations estimated using soil parameters c', phi', and gamma?
• What is the primary purpose of QC testing during earthwork construction?
• In slope stability analysis, what is defined as the factor of safety?
• In pavement design, how do CBR and modulus (k) differ?
• What is a bearing pad and its function in bridge supports?
• Which two QA/QC tests are commonly used for asphalt pavement?
• In slope stability calculations, a factor of safety greater than one indicates what about the slope?
• What materials can bearing pads be made of?
• Which set of activities constitutes the three-link Earthwork System?
• Because double drum compactors compact from top to bottom, what lift depth is recommended?
• Which equation is used to size a ditch or culvert for a given discharge?
• A common target for compaction targets is 95% relative density. What does this imply?
• Standard Proctor test uses which hammer weight?
• The distribution by weight of soil particle sizes is called what?
• In cold climates, which factor is most important to prevent frost-related damage when installing culverts?
• Mass diagrams aid in identifying what?
• ASHTO T-180 corresponds to which test?
• What is nominal cover for reinforcing steel in concrete design, and why is it important?
• Clay soils have LL ranging from ______ to ______.
• How is minimum concrete cover to reinforcing steel determined and why is it important?
• Why is development length important for bars in concrete?
• The minimum point on a mass diagram is the location where which transition occurs?
• Which test serves as an alternative to nuclear density tests to verify density when access for a nuclear gauge is limited?
• Well-rounded, subrounded, subangular and angular bulky-shaped grains describe what soil type?
• Which statement best describes the difference between ultimate bearing capacity and allowable bearing capacity?
• What is a cut-off wall and its primary purpose?
• In slope stability analyses for retaining structures, how does seepage affect stability?
• What is the purpose of the slope stability factor of safety, and what are typical target values?
• For tamping foot compaction, what speed is used during the walking-out phase after the initial passes?
• Geotextiles and geogrids in stabilization perform which combined functions?
• Compaction can improve which of the following properties?
• How is a compaction curve used in field operations for pavement or earthwork?
• What is a Proctor test used for in soil compaction?
• How do Standard Proctor and Modified Proctor differ?
• What is the typical speed range for a smooth-drum vibratory roller?
• What is a constructibility review and why is it performed?
• Which statement about shrinkage factor for rock excavation is true?
• When evaluating slope stability for a retaining wall, which approach is used to determine safety with respect to loads and soil properties?
• What method is commonly used to assess pavement smoothness?
• What is proof rolling and its purpose in subgrade work?
• Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing active earth pressure on a retaining wall?
• Regarding the cross-section method for earthwork, what assumption is made about the ground surface between consecutive cross-sections?
• Which of the following speed ranges is NOT listed as typical for vibratory rollers?
• What is the purpose of staking and grading in earthwork planning?
• Name three curing methods for poured concrete.
• Relative density is defined as the ratio of in-situ dry density to maximum dry density.
• What backfill material is typically required around buried pipes?
• What is the typical speed range for a multitiered pneumatic vibratory roller?
• Which statement best describes cut and fill in earthwork and why balancing them is desirable?
• What is the difference between baseline schedule and updated schedule?
• In a pile group, what is the primary contribution of end bearing and skin friction to capacity?
• How do unit price and lump-sum contracts differ in civil construction?
• In CPM scheduling, what defines the critical path?
• Which elements should be checked to confirm plan alignment across sheets?
• What is the typical towing speed range for a sheepsfoot, crawler-towed vibratory roller?
• Culverts convey water beneath roads; which of the following are key considerations for their design?
• Which field tests are commonly used to verify in-place compaction density?
• What does pavement core sampling measure?
• When a nuclear density gauge cannot be used, which tests are commonly used to verify in-place compaction density?
• A double drum vibratory compactor is typically used to compact which materials?
• In earthwork sequencing, what is a common first step before mobilizing equipment?
• Why is bedding and backfill around utilities important in road corridors?
• The Standard Proctor test uses 25 blows per layer and how many layers?
• Heavy pneumatic rollers are capable of compacting soil depths up to ______.
• Small grained, less than #200 sieve, platy shaped grains describe which soil type?
• Which factor most increases the contribution of skin friction along a pile shaft?
• A 100-year flood designation in drainage design indicates a flood event with what annual probability?
• How do you calculate the volume of backfill for a trench with length, width, and depth?
• What are the essential components of a traffic control plan?
• What is the purpose of sedimentation and erosion control measures on a heavy civil site?
• Which material swells more from its natural state (bank) to compacted state (placement in an embankment)?
• What essential steps ensure proper formwork alignment for vertical walls?
• What equipment is suitable for compacting all fine-grained soils, but generally not suitable for use on cohesionless granular soils?