Earthworks and Grading

Question 1

Classifies soil into 7 groups based on particle size distribution, liquid limit and plasticity index (engineering properties and suitability for highways)

Answer 1

AASHTO Soil Classification System

Question 2

2 major groups of soil based on AASHTO

Answer 2

Granular Materials

Silt-Clay Materials

Question 3

Pass less than 35% of materials through a No. 200 sieve

Answer 3

Granular Materials

Question 4

Pass more than 35% of the material through a No. 200 sieve

Answer 4

Silt-Clay Materials

Question 5

Particle sizes according to AASHTO

Answer 5

Boulder - above 75mm
Grave - 75mm to No. 10 sieve
Course Sand - No. 10 sieve to No. 40 sieve
Fine Sand - No. 40 sieve to No. 200 sieve
Silt-Clay Particles - passing No. 200 sieve

Question 6

Divides soils into three basic categories; was devised mainly for highway engineering purposes

Answer 6

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Question 7

Three basic soil categories according to USCS (highway engineering)

Answer 7

Coarse-grained Soils
Fine-grained Soils
Organic Soils

Question 8

Pass less than 50% fines through a No. 200 sieve

Answer 8

Coarse-grained Soils

Question 9

Pass more than 50% fines through a No. 200 sieve

Answer 9

Fine-grained Soils

Question 10

Type of soil identified by visual examination

Answer 10

Organic Soil

Question 11

Soil classification by origin

Answer 11

Residual Soils

Transported Soils

Question 12

Soil that is formed in place through weathering of bedrock and disintegration of organic matter

Answer 12

Residual Soils

Question 13

Materials that have been moved from another place by glaciation, wind, water, or gravity

Answer 13

Transported Soils

Question 14

Property of soil; basically refers to amount of clay particles in a soil sample

Answer 14

Colloidal Content

Question 15

Property of soil; refers to the upward movement of water above the water table as a function of fine soil texture

Answer 15

Capillarity

Question 16

Property of soil; refers to the ability of soil to transmit water downward by force of gravity; function of a pore space and varies with void ratio, grain size and distribution, structure, degree of cementation, degree of saturation, and degree of compaction

Answer 16

Permeability

Question 17

Measure permeability of soil

Answer 17

Percolation Test

Question 18

Property of soil; refers to the ability of soil to return to its original state after being deformed by a load

Answer 18

Elasticity

Question 19

Soil property; refers to the ability of soil to be deformed under pressure without cracking or crumbling, and to maintain a deformed shape after pressure is released; an important factor in road and foundation work and is more significant under increasingly greater loads

Answer 19

Plasticity

Question 20

The moisture content at which a soil changes from the liquid state to the plastic state, measured when soil in a shallow dish flows to close a 12.5 mm groove after 25 drops from 1 cm

Answer 20

Liquid Limit

Question 21

Test performed on soils passing the No. 40 sieve to establish the following

Answer 21

Atterberg Limits

Question 22

The water content at which a silt or clay material will just begin to crumble when rolled into a tread approx. 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) in diameter

Answer 22

Plastic Limit

Question 23

Defined as the Liquid Limit minus the Plastic Limit: LL - PL = ?; rang of water content over which sediment behaves

Answer 23

Plasticity Index (PI)

Question 24

Refers to the ability of a soil sample to bind together when moderately dry; soils that are less of this are easy to excavate but, on vertical side slops, cannot be maintained without support (ex. beach sand)

Answer 24

Cohesion

Question 25

The measured volume change of soil as a result of changed soil structure and the expulsion of water

Answer 25

Compressibility

Question 26

Refers to the densification process through the compaction and expulsion of air

Answer 26

Compaction

Question 27

The ability of a soil to bear a load without failure; depends on both upon internal friction between soil particles and upon cohesion

Answer 27

Bearing Strength

Question 28

The extent to which soil mass can withstand the forces of wind or water erosion

Answer 28

Erodibility

Question 29

The relative acidity or alkalinity of the soil; has an effect on nutrient availability

Answer 29

pH Level

Question 30

Refers to the existence of moisture in soil that make water available to plants

Answer 30

Moisture Content

Question 31

Three Types of Termite Proofing

Answer 31

Physical Barriers Chemical Barriers Bait System

Question 32

Slow-acting insect-growth regulator that entire workers population and the entire termite colony

Answer 32

Hexaflumuron

Question 33

The grade after all landscape development has been completed; the top surface of lawns, plantings beds, pavements, etc.; normally designated by contours and spot elevations on a grading plan

Answer 33

Finished grade

Question 34

The top of the material on which the surface material, surface topsoil, and pavements (including base material) is placed; represented by the top of a fill situation and the bottom of a cut excavation

Answer 34

Subgrade

Question 35

Refers to a subgrade that must attain a specified density

Answer 35

Compacted subgrade

Question 36

Refers to a subgrade that indicates a soil that has not been excavated or changed in any way

Answer 36

Undisturbed subgrade

Question 37

Imported material normally coarse or fine aggregate that is typically placed under pavement

Answer 37

Base or sub-base

Question 38

Refers to the elevation of the first floor of a structure, but may be used to designate the elevation of any floor

Answer 38

Finished floor elevation

Question 39

The process of removing soil; proposed contours extend across existing contours in the uphill direction

Answer 39

Cut or cutting

Question 40

The process of adding soil; proposed contours extend across existing contours in the downhill direction

Answer 40

Fill or filling

Question 41

The densification of soil under controlled conditions, particularly a specified moisture content

Answer 41

Compaction

Question 42

Normally the top layer of a soil profile, which may range in thickness from less than an inch to over a foot; has high organic content, thus, it is subject to decomposition, and not an appropriate subgrade material for structures

Answer 42

Topsoil

Question 43

Methods for calculating cut and fill (earth) volumes

Answer 43

Average end area Contour area Borrow pit (grid)

Question 44

Three types of visual form of grading

Answer 44

Geomorphic Architectonic Naturalistic

Question 45

This type of grading wherein the proposed blends ecologically and visually with the character of the existing natural landscape; repeats similar landforms and physiographic structure; the intent of this category is to minimize the amount of regrading to preserve the existing landscape character

Answer 45

Geomorphic

Question 46

The proposed grading in this category creates uniform slopes and forms which usually are crispy defined geometric shapes; appropriate where the overall impact is man dominated or where a strong contrast is desired between the built and natural landscape

Answer 46

Architectonic

Question 47

The most common type of grading particularly in suburban and rural settings; a stylized approach in which abstract (or organic) landforms are used to represent or imitate the natural landscape

Answer 47

Naturalistic

Question 48

Vegetated or paved embankments, somewhat dike-like in appearance, commonly used by landscape architects for enclosure and separation purposed; may also provide protection from climatic elements

Answer 48

Berms

Question 49

Preferred minimum and maximum number of risers for a set of stairs

Answer 49

3-12 risers

Question 50

Handrails are normally required on stairs with _____ or more risers

Answer 50

5

Question 51

Stair treads should pitch ____ in/ft in the downhill direction to insure proper drainage

Answer 51

1/8

Question 52

Low curbs commonly used along the edges of stairs for safety and maintenance purposes

Answer 52

Cheek walls

Question 53

Inclined sidewalk or driveways usually at a uniform slope

Answer 53

Ramp

Question 54

Typical range of slopes for pedestrian use

Answer 54

5 to 8%

Question 55

Handrails, particularly for handicapped use, are normally required on ramps of ___ % and greater slopes

Answer 55

5%

Question 56

An intermediate landing is usually required where ramps exceed ____ in length

Answer 56

30ft (9m)

Question 57

Ratio of slope to be visually significant

Answer 57

5:1

Question 58

General ratio of planted slopes

Answer 58

2:1

Question 59

Ratio of slope for mowed lawn areas

Answer 59

3: 1 | 4: 1 - preferred maximum

Question 60

The extent of surface conditions on completion of grading

Answer 60

As graded

Question 61

In-place solid rock

Answer 61

Bedrock

Question 62

A relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be palced

Answer 62

Bench

Question 63

Earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site

Answer 63

Burrow