TYPICAL INTERVIEW ANSWER FOR QUALITY CONTROL CIVIL INSPECTOR
Part
One:
1.
What are the most important elements of soil
classification (SAES-A-114)
a)
Type of soil,
Gradation and Atterberg limits. The inspector should have a general idea how
these limits (liquid limit, Plastic
limit and plasticity index) correlate with selecting approved select fill).
2.
What’s
“CBR” (SAES Q-006)
a)
California
Bearing Ration (CBR). It’s a laboratory value that helps determining soil
bearing capacity and in classifying soil. It is a design parameter, however is
a requirement by our standard to verify and check! Not knowing what it is
indicates the inspector has poor soil knowledge and experience.
3.
What is the maximum depth of regular fill lift
(layer) prior to compactions (SAES A-114)
a)
200 mm
4.
What is the maximum depth of a fill lift (layer)
when manual equipment is used for compaction (SAES A-114)
a)
100 mm
5.
What are the project conditions and factors that
control compaction? (Experience & SAES A-114)
a)
Proper Moisture
Content.
b)
Compaction
Equipment used and number of rolls.
c)
Confinement of
soil (for sand) and stepping of layers of marl and select fill.
d)
Type of Soil.
6.
What
are the different types of laboratory ASTM soil density test (SAES A-114)? And
what are the minimum required density values for each of the test mention
above?
a)
Proctor 95%
b)
Modified Proctor
90%
c)
Relative (for
sand) 70%
7.
What are the important points to look for in
Concrete form prior to pouring concrete (SAES Q-001, ACI and experience)?
a)
Tightness,
cleanness, plumpness, steadiness, shoring and bracing, rebar cover, concrete
tip level mark correctness.
b)
Also, vapor
barrier must be installed prior to pouring on grade.
c)
Also, grade must
receive termite chemical spray protection prior to vapor barrier placement.
8.
What are the essential elements of concrete
placement (SAES O-001, ACI, and experience)
a)
Maximum height
of concrete drop is less than or equal to 1 meter.
b)
Segregation must
be prevented by ensuring transit mixture is approved, has operating revolution
counter, no adding water after batching, and concrete is placed in such a
manner to prevent segregation (i.e. only shovels can be used to move concrete
around inside the forms-no raking allowed. Vibration should not be used for
that purpose.
c)
Pooper vibration
must be implemented. (Proper vibrating-dropping the vibrator under its own weight
until it gets to the desired drop height, then leaving it there for 3-7 seconds
pulling at the count of 3-4 seconds. When vibrating sub-sequent layers,
vibrator must penetrate a centimeter into older layer. ( Any answer close to
this indicate experience)
d)
Some labors must
be continuously watching the forms in case a large/high pout to ensure no forms
failure takes place. In case a wall is being poured, proper height (maximum
heights) of each concrete lift must be observed, such as the usual 600 mm
stated normally in projects specifications. Also, tamping on the wall is
necessary to assist in the consolidation process.
e)
The concrete
temperature and the slump are two strong indicators of inspector’s knowledge. A
slump between 75mm and 125mm is normal for normal pours. If the inspector has
no clue as to even the range, that’s serious! The maximum allowed temperature
for concrete when arriving at project site is 32 degrees Celsius.
9.
Tell me structural steel receiving inspection and
Structural Steel Erection (12-SAMMS-007/008 & AISC-American Institute of
Steel Construction, PIPSTS 05130)?
a)
This is involved
experience in structural steel inspection against abuse and damage, proper
storage, proper sequencing on job site to minimize damage, etc.
b)
An experienced
civil inspector must know about erection of structural steel based on the AISC
9 (American Institute of Steel Construction) specification for High Strength
Bolts A325 & A490. Solid knowledge in the Turn-Of-The-Nut method is
extremely essential for proper erection!
10.
What is the minimum and maximum acceptable asphalt
temperature range when arriving on site (SAES Q-006 and AASHTO)?
a)
139 to 163
degree centigrade.
11.
What is required compaction density of asphalt (SAES
Q-006 & AASHTO)?
a)
96%
12.
What is Prime
Coat and where is it applied (SAES Q-006 & AASHTO)? What is it curing
requirement for the Prime Coat?
a)
It is asphalt
bituminous material that is place on the substrate prior to placement of the
first asphalt mixture (the binder course). It must be allowed to cure and to
soak into capping layer (usually select fill).
b)
24 hours, a good
indication that the material cured is when the colors turns to pitch black,
i.e. the brownness is gone.
13.
What is Tack Coat (SAES Q-006 and AASHTO)
a.
It is asphalt
bituminous material which is applied on existing concrete or asphalt surfaces
to bond the new subsequent asphalt pavement to them. Tack coat is not necessary
to place on new asphalt before placing the next layer of asphalt, unless it is
solid (dirty).
14.
Which is the tolerance requirement of sub-grade
asphalt smoothness prior to placing asphalt (SAESQ-006 & AASHTO)?
a.
Using a 3 meter
straight edge = 6mm
15.
What is requirement of finished asphalt surface
smoothness (SAES Q-006 & AASHTO)?
a.
Using a 3 meter
straight edge 4mm longitudinally, 3mm laterally.
.jpg)
.jpg)
