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ICC (EC) Soils 1 – 130 Exam 2025/
Detailed Questions With Well Elaborated
Answers.
A+ SCORE
Information for the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam can be found in the ___. It is updated ___.
National Certification Examination Information Bulletin
every six months
What references are allowed to be brought to the ICC (EC) Soils Special Inspector exam?
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 698-12e
D 1556- 07
D 1557- 12
D 2487- 11
D 2488-09a
D 4318-10e
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:
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.
1.5"
ASTM D1556 (sand cone) is not suitable for ___, ___,or ___ soils that would deform or compress during the excavation of the test hole.
Organic
Saturated
Highly plastic
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.
9 ( 30 )
For nuclear gauge standardization, take at least ___ repetitive readings to obtain the mean.
4
If, for any reason, the nuclear gauge reading becomes suspect during the day's use, you should ____.
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.
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.
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.
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.
50 ( 2" )
Report the density and dry density to the nearest ___ kg/m3 ( ____ lbm/ft3 ) and water content to the nearest ___.
1 ( 0.1 )
0.1%
Nuclear gauges shall be calibrated at a period not to exceed ___.
12 months
Measurements for water (moisture) content are taken at the surface in ___ regardless of the mode used for density.
backscatter mode
While performing a sand cone test, dig a test hole ___ to ___ deep.
4" to 6" inches
If vibratory equipment is working close to where a sand cone test is being performed, it could ___ (the density) test result.
lower
Material that is in a "pumping condition" may get a more dependable reading from a ___ rather than a ___.
nuclear gauge
sand cone
In nuclear gauges, the cesium is the source of gamma rays, which is used for ___ readings, while the americium is a neutron emitter used for ___ readings.
Density
Moisture
To adjust for "sidewall scatter" while testing with a nuclear gauge in a trench, you should ___.
standardize the gauge in the trench
While taking a nuclear gauge test of material with gypsum or diatomaceous soils, the ___ may read differently than the actual ___, so to adjust for this anomaly, the difference of a lab and field sample will act as a reference to "offset" this gauge.
moisture
moisture
In some silty soils, a variation of only a few percent in water content could change the soil's dry density by as much as ___ lb/ft³ during compaction.
5 or 10
When placing geogrid or woven fabric for soil stabilization, experience has shown that a minimum overlap of ___ and a minimum cover of ___ of base is usually sufficient.
24 inches
18 inches
Who hires the Special inspector?
The Owner or Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge acting as the owner's agent.
The Special Inspector is approved by and shall demonstrate competence to the _____.
Building Official or
Registered Design Professional
Verifying the proper materials, densities, and lift thicknesses during placement and compaction of compacted fills requires ____ inspection.
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.
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.
moisture content
Requirements for the foundation clearances from slopes shall conform to IBC 2012, ________.
Figure 1808.7.
No grading shall be performed without first having a ____.
...permit from the Building Official.
Geotechnical reports are prepared by the _____.
Registered Design Professional.
Where existing grade is steeper than 20 percent (5 to 1), slope ____ shall be provided.
benching
The minimum dimensions of a key shall be ___ in width and ___ in depth.
10 ft
2 ft
Fill material shall not include ___, ____, or other ___ materials nor rock or irreducible material greater than ___.
Organic Frozen, Deleterious
12 inches
All the fill material shall be compacted to a minimum of ___ of the maximum density in lifts not greater than ___.
90%
12 inches
Fill slopes steeper than ___ % (ratio) shall be justified by the geotechnical report or engineering data.
50% (2 to 1)
Fill that has been designed by an engineer (engineered fill) has two types: ___, which is material that has been found on the site or imported to no specification, and ___, which is material that meets some specification.
Embankment
Select
The identifications marks on grading plans for original ground (OG) is usually ___ contours and finished grade (FG) is usually identified with ___ contours.
Dashed
Solid
The United Soil Classification System (USCS) was originally known as the Airfield Classification System developed by ___ in the early 1940s. The Army Corps of Engineers adopted a modified version in ____.
Arthur Casagrande
1952
____ is soil that passes a No. 200 sieve with a PI equal to or greater than 4 and a plot of PI versus LL falls on or above the "A" line.
Clay
____ is soil that passes a No. 200 sieve with a PI less than 4 and the plot of PI versus LL falls below the "A" line.
Silt
___ is particles of rock with ___ particles that will pass a 3-inch sieve but be retained on a ¾" sieve and ____ particles that will pass a ¾" sieve but be retained on a No. 4 sieve.
Gravel
Coarse
Fine
_______ are particles of rock that will pass a 12-inch square opening and be retained on a 3-inch opening, while ___ are particles of rock that will not pass a 12-inch square opening.
Cobbles
Boulders
_____ is particles of rock that will pass a No. 4 sieve and be retained on a No. 200 sieve.
Sand
___ Passes a No. 4 sieve and is retained on a No. 10 sieve ___ passes a No. 10 sieve and is retained on a No. 40 sieve. ___ passes a No. 40 sieve and is retained on a 200 sieve.
Coarse sand
Medium sand
Fine sand
Identify soil as fat clay ___, if the soil has a high to very high dry strength, no dilatancy, and high toughness and plasticity.
CH
Identify soil as a low plasticity silt ___, if the soil has no to low dry strength, slow to rapid dilatancy, and low toughness and plasticity, or is a nonplastic.
ML
Identify soil as a high plasticity silt (elastic) ___, if the soil has a low to medium dry strength, no to low dilatancy, and low to medium toughness and plasticity.
MH
A way to distinguish silt from clay is by mixing soil with water into a ball, spreading it onto your hand, then striking the side of your hand with your other hand. You then shake the material horizontally to note the reaction of water appearing on the surface. This is known as a ______.
Dilatancy test
When sampling from stockpiles, ways to ensure unbiased samples are taken by use of power equipment (loader) or made up of three increments of the pile at the ____, ___, and ___.
Top third
Midpoint
Bottom third
When sampling from a roadway, obtain at least ___ equal increments selected randomly from the unit being sampled.
3
If sampling from a stockpile of fine aggregate, always remove the ___ and sample the material beneath.
outer layer
The Standard Effort lab max applies to soils that have 30% or less by weight retained on the ___.
3/4 inch sieve
When performing a Proctor test (ASTM D698 or D1557) for Methods A & B require ___ per layer for a ___ mold.
25 blows
4 inch / 101.6 mm
Method C of the Proctor test (ASTM D698 or D1557) requires ___ per layer for a ___ mold.
56 blows
6 inch / 152.4 mm
For Proctor test Methods A, B & C:
The field sample for ASTM D698 or D1557 both should have a moist mass of ___ for Method A & B, and ___ for Method C.
50 lbs / 23 kg
100 lbs / 45 kg
The portion of the total sample used in performing the compaction proctor test is referred to as the ___.
test fraction (finer fraction).
The Modified Effort (ASTM D1557) uses a ___ lbf rammer dropped from ____ inches, producing a compactive effort of ___ ft-lbf/ft3.
10
18"
56,
For ASTM D698 or D1557:
Method A uses a ___ sieve,
Method B uses a ___ sieve,
Method C uses a ___ sieve.
No. 4
3/8 inch
3/4 inch
The apparatus for ASTM D422 shall consist of ___ operated stirring device with a motor that turns at the speed of not less than ___ without a load.
mechanically
10,000 rpm
During a sieve analysis procedure, you ___ turn or manipulate fragments in the sample through the sieve by hand.
cannot
When performing a hydrometer test, water shall be maintained at or near ___.
68°F
The soak time for the sample in solution during a Particle-Size Analysis shall be at least ___.
16 hours
Hydrometer readings shall be taken from the ___.
top of the meniscus
Two methods are used to prepare a test for Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and Plasticity Index (PI):
