STUDY GUIDE

WACEL
FOUNDATION INSPECTOR MARCH 2011

Foundation Inspector Study Guide Purpose: a. b. The purpose of this study guide is twofold: To be an informational document to owners, engineers, and code officials describing the depth and breadth of knowledge expected of individuals in order to obtain the WACEL Foundation Inspector certification. To be a source document for individuals seeking this certification so they know the scope of the evaluation, the applicable references, and a clear delineation of the learning objectives that they are expected to master. The WACEL Foundation Inspector Certification Program currently exists as one level of certification. This examination measures an individuals knowledge primarily of shallow foundations, but does touch upon deep foundation systems. It is WACELs goal to develop an additional higher level certification for deep foundation systems in the future. *** Prerequisites*** All candidates applying for the Foundation Inspector Certification must possess current certifications as both Concrete Field Technician (or Inspector) and Soils Technician (Field). WACEL does not require candidates to possess these prerequisite certifications through WACEL other certification programs deemed equivalent by the certification committee (NICET, ACI, ICC, State DOT, etc.) are accepted. If the prerequisite certifications are obtained through a certification body other than WACEL, evidence of certification must accompany the application. Evaluation: The examination is a 3-hour, closed-book examination. It consists of 75 multiple-choice (or true/false) questions. The first 25 questions require an understanding of general knowledge topics. The remaining 50 questions are generated from an example geotechnical report, specifications, and set of plans that are given as attachments with the examination. A minimum score of 80 percent is required for certification. The drawings that will be provided for the plan-reading portion of the examination are a partial set of drawings from an actual project. Select sheets have been extracted from: a. b. c. d. Retaining wall plan notes and details. Foundation plan, including footing schedule. Foundation section details Compacted aggregate pier details and notes.

General:

Safety:

This certification program to include the examination does not address the safety issues or health hazards associated with testing or observations. It is the responsibility of each candidate and their employer to be knowledgeable and to comply with all health and safety requirements specified by code officials, governmental agencies, and their employers health and safety program.

References: a. b. c. d. International Building Code, (Chapters 18 and 19), International Code Council, 2006. ACI 318-08, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation, Second Edition, ASCE Press, 2008. (OPTIONAL) Soils, Earthwork, and Foundations A Practical Approach, International Code Council, 2006. (OPTIONAL)

Application: The exam candidate must submit a completed WACEL Examination Application prior to taking the exam. The individuals who are cleared to take this examination are expected to be experienced construction inspectors and/or should have relevant education/training background. A section of the application requires a Professional Engineer who is knowledgeable of the candidates skills, knowledge, and abilities to formally confirm and document the individuals eligibility to take this examination as well as attest that the candidate has access to the necessary reference materials.

Learning Objectives: The learning objectives listed below are topics which successful candidates will have thorough knowledge. They are intended to provide candidates with a relatively definitive outline of what is expected from them. A. Soil Characteristics 1. Understands the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and the general engineering characteristics of different soil types. a. Able to differentiate between soils that are highly plastic, low permeability, high permeability, etc. For example - one should understand that a soil classified as low plastic or lean clay (CL) has a relatively low permeability compared to well-graded gravel (GW). Question to consider: What are the differences in permeability and plasticity between sand, silt, clay, gravel, etc.? 2. Understands how and why properties of a soil and different construction practices can have an effect on compaction. For example - moisture content, compactive effort (energy) and lift thickness all have a direct impact on the ability to compact soil to its maximum dry density. Question to consider: If a contractor is having difficulty achieving the specified compaction requirements, are there things he/she can do to the soil or change in construction practices that might improve his/her results? If so, what are they? 3. Understand and interpret specifications presented in geotechnical reports regarding suitability of soils for different applications. For example - certain sections of geotechnical reports may provide gradation or plasticity requirements for soil behind a below grade wall. 4. Shrink Swell Potential a. Have a basic understanding of the theory of shrink swell capacity of soil and the effects wetting and drying have on expansive soils. Questions to consider: What behavior can you expect from a highly plastic soil that exists in an area where there are significant fluctuations in moisture during the year? What effects can it have on structures? b. Understand the potential adverse effects of supporting foundations on expansive soil. c. Familiarity with IBC code requirements for construction of foundations on/in expansive soil. Question to consider: What are approved methods for dealing with expansive soil in foundation areas?

d. Capable of interpreting recommendations in a geotechnical report on how to address expansive soil when encountered during earthwork operations. For example - in a typical geotechnical report there may be a section that provides specific instructions to lower foundations to a specific depth below grade to ensure the foundations are not bearing in a zone that can be influenced by shrink swell cycles. Technicians/inspectors must be capable of finding and interpreting these types of instructions. B. Geosynthetics 1. Understand the different types of geotextiles and their general uses. For example - woven geotextiles may be designed and used for soil separation to reduce migration of fine particles while a geogrid material may be used as a reinforcement component for soft subgrade soils. Questions to consider: What are the different types of geosynthetic and what are they used for? 2. Able to determine specifications for construction of elements that include geosynthetics. For example - if a geotechnical report includes recommendations for minimum overlap of a geotextile used to separate finegrained soils from a gravel drainage area, you should be able to interpret specific design requirements outlined in the report such as the type of geotextile or minimum overlap. Another example would be determining the specific length of geogrid in a segmental retaining wall. 3. Be familiar with the technician responsibilities and authority when working with construction that has geosynthetic components. Contractors often try to substitute materials with a more readily available or less expensive option. Question to consider: How does a technician deal with alternate solutions in the field that dont exactly match the recommendations outlined in the approved geotechnical report? C. Knowledge of Geotechnical Reports 1. Knows how to read and interpret a boring log to find: a. Boring elevation b. Groundwater elevation c. Soil type for each strata d. Determine if soil boring is located in a cut or fill area e. SPT blow counts and N value 2. Can locate foundation recommendations in report a. Understand the differences between shallow and deep foundations b. Can locate the recommended soil bearing pressure c. Can locate the recommended footing frost depth d. Understand what type of soils strata the foundations should be founded in

3. Can locate the earthwork recommendations in the report a. What type of soils are suitable for structural fill b. What are the compaction requirements c. Can determine if any undercuts are recommended D. Evaluation of Shallow Foundations 1. Can identify different types of soil in the field a. Able to differentiate between silt and clay b. Identify high plasticity vs low plasticity 2. Verify recommended soil bearing a. Know how to use a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer b. Locate soft spots c. Use boring logs to be aware of possible deeper, unsuitable soils 3. Reinforcing steel placement a. Able to read structural plans b. Differentiate between different size reinforcing steel E. Reinforced and Segmental Retaining Walls 1. Familiar with the different types of retaining walls a. Concrete b. Gravity c. Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) 2. For concrete or gravity walls, using the design drawings and specifications can determine: a. Type and size of block b. Proposed elevation for top and bottom of wall c. Geo-grid type and length d. Elevation for geo-grid layers e. Required drainage f. Required suitable backfill requirements g. Required compaction requirements F. Deep Foundations 1. When and Why to utilize deep foundations as opposed to conventional spread footings. a. Ground conditions are very loose/very soft. b. Ground conditions contain compressible materials in excess of 6 in depth (this is a general guide depth). At this or deeper depths, it may become cost prohibitive to remove and/or replace compressible soils. c. Elevation of any water table or perched water.

2. The type of deep foundation selected is generally based upon the loads, the types of soil materials to be penetrated, water related concerns and local experience/availability. a. Piles b. Caissons c. Piers d. Micro piles e. Stone columns 3. Where deep foundations develop strength. a. End bearing at the bottom. b. Friction within the soils penetrated. Friction along the sides of deep foundations can often be of such a magnitude that none of the loads are transmitted to the bottom as end bearing. 4. Drilling through compressible layers and into the supporting soils. a. Small to large augers may be used. b. Liners may be installed to protect workers and hole from collapse. c. Hole may be grouted through a hollow stem auger, upon withdrawal. d. Reinforcing steel may be installed within the concrete or grout, often with centralizers to maintain a centered location for the full depth. 5. Stone Columns and Aggregate Piers a. Provide a method of replacing the compressible strata with compact stone. b. Used once the drilled excavation or probe has penetrated the compressible soils to the level of firm bearing soils. c. Stone materials are placed from the bottom and either vibrated or compacted to create a stiff/compact column/pier. Generally, the stone displaces laterally into the more compressible soils strengthening these soils and providing additional frictional resistance. 6. Alternative method to drilling. a. Some deep foundations are installed by simply driving a projectile through the compressible layers into the supporting soils. b. These deep foundations are often made of: Timber Concrete Steel c. A geotechnical engineer recommends the materials of a driven system with sufficient strength based upon: Planned loading Planned depth Planned resistance

7. The UNKNOWN a. Many projects now encounter buried debris of an unknown material that must be penetrated by the deep foundations. It is not unusual to auger through or excavate such obstructions prior to deep foundation installation. b. Contact your project manager or geotechnical engineer when encountered. F. Slopes 1. Introduction to slopes a. A slope exists when there is a change in grade or elevation of land connecting two areas. b. Slopes are generally maintained at 3 horizontal to 1 vertical to allow for a walking surface, which can be maintained with a lawnmower. c. If the slope steepens to approximately 2H:1V it starts to become too steep to traverse and may be subject to soil loss from erosion. 2. Granular soils a. All granular soil materials have a natural angle of repose. This is the angle to which the soils in a slope will flatten given time and subjected to rainfall and erosion. 3. Clays a. Clays have the ability to maintain relatively steep temporary slopes as a result of their cohesion (stickiness). b. If this cohesion property is lost due to saturation or other causes, large chunks or masses of clay may dislodge and become unstable, sliding to a more stable orientation. 4. Slope instability a. Most man-made slope instability is observed as surficial sloughs. b. Sloughs are observed as a shifting of the soils in the upper 1 4. The soils generally move downward along a slope creating a bulge at the lower end and a scarp (sheared surface) at the upper end. c. More robust slope failures generally take the form of slip circles which terminate through the face of slope, toe of slope or some distance in front of the toe of slope at the lower grade. Such failures may involve hundreds of tons of earthen materials. When such a mass decides to move, it is often impossible to stop. d. Should you observe surficial sloughs on the face of a slope, cracks along or near the crest (uphill) of a slope or bulges developing along the lower extremities of a slope, please advise your geotechnical engineer.