Paving
A paving crew is placing asphalt in cool weather. The mat temperature behind the screed is measured at 235°F, but the specification requires a minimum of 250°F. What is the best action by the inspector?
A. Allow placement if rolling begins immediately
B. Allow placement if air temperature is above 50°F
C. Require corrective action before continuing
D. Document the issue but take no further action
C — Require corrective action before continuing
If the mix is below minimum placement temperature, it will not compact properly and risks premature failure.
Which test is primarily used in the field to verify the in-place density of compacted asphalt pavement?
A. Sand cone test
B. Nuclear gauge
C. Los Angeles abrasion test
D. Atterberg limits
B — Nuclear gauge
That’s the standard field method for checking in-place asphalt density.
A contractor is excavating for subgrade and encounters soft, pumping soil. According to good highway construction practice, the most appropriate response is to:
A. Increase roller passes
B. Allow drying time only
C. Remove and replace or stabilize the material
D. Add more water and recompact
C — Remove and replace or stabilize the material
Pumping subgrade means it cannot support loads; rolling alone will make it worse.
When reviewing a traffic control plan, which element is most critical for nighttime work?
A. Type of aggregate used
B. Reflective sheeting and lighting
C. Pavement cross slope
D. Concrete air content
B — Reflective sheeting and lighting
Night work depends on visibility for both workers and motorists.
Asphalt Yield
A paving operation places 820 tons of asphalt over a lane that is 1,320 ft long and 12 ft wide.
The compacted thickness is 2.0 inches.
Assume asphalt density = 145 lb/ft³.
What is the theoretical tonnage required?
Is the contractor over or under the theoretical amount?
Area = 1,320 ft × 12 ft = 15,840 ft²
Thickness = 2 in = 0.167 ft
Volume = 15,840 × 0.167 = 2,645 ft³
Weight = 2,645 ft³ × 145 lb/ft³ = 383,525 lb
Tons = 383,525 ÷ 2,000 = 191.8 tons (theoretical)
Actual = 820 tons
Contractor is OVER theoretical by ~628 tons → major red flag
An inspector measures a 12-ft travel lane and finds a width of 11.8 ft. The tolerance is ±0.2 ft. How should this be evaluated?
A. Acceptable
B. Rejectable
C. Only acceptable if shoulders are wide
D. Acceptable with price adjustment
A — Acceptable
Tolerance is ±0.2 ft.
11.8 ft is within range (11.8–12.2 ft).
Concrete pavement is being placed and the air content tests at 3.0%. The specification requires 5% ± 1%. What should the inspector do?
A. Accept if slump is correct
B. Allow placement and note the deficiency
C. Require adjustment before placement continues
D. Increase curing compound application
C — Require adjustment before placement continues
3% is outside the 4–6% allowable range. That concrete will not be durable.
Which document governs temporary erosion and sediment control during construction?
A. Engineer’s estimate
B. Shop drawings
C. SWPPP
D. As-built plans
C — SWPPP
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan controls erosion and sediment.
Which of the following is the inspector’s best defense in the event of a claim?
A. Verbal agreements
B. Photographs only
C. Accurate and timely documentation
D. Contractor daily reports
C — Accurate and timely documentation
If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.
2. Earthwork Volume
An embankment section is 300 ft long, 30 ft wide, and 2.5 ft deep.
a) What is the volume in cubic feet?
b) What is the volume in cubic yards?
a) Cubic feet:
300 × 30 × 2.5 = 22,500 ft³
b) Cubic yards:
22,500 ÷ 27 = 833.3 CY
Which of the following would most likely cause segregation in asphalt pavement?
A. Uniform aggregate gradation
B. Long drop from truck to paver hopper
C. Proper material transfer vehicle
D. Correct screed adjustment
B — Long drop from truck to paver hopper
This causes coarse aggregate to separate from fine material.
Which test verifies the strength of concrete pavement?
A. Slump test
B. Air content test
C. Compressive strength test
D. Unit weight test
C — Compressive strength test
That’s what determines pavement strength.
If a contractor proposes a change in material source, the inspector should:
A. Automatically approve it
B. Reject it immediately
C. Forward it for engineer approval
D. Allow use for one day only
C — Forward it for engineer approval
Inspectors do not approve material changes — engineers do.
A traffic control setup for a lane closure meets the MUTCD spacing requirements, but queue lengths are forming beyond the advance warning area. What is the most appropriate inspector action?
A. Do nothing since MUTCD spacing is met
B. Shut down the lane closure immediately
C. Recommend adjustments to improve traffic flow
D. Issue a stop-work order
C — Recommend adjustments to improve traffic flow
Meeting MUTCD spacing doesn’t mean traffic is functioning safely. Adjustments are warranted.
Concrete Pavement Quantity
A concrete pavement slab is 500 ft long, 24 ft wide, and 10 inches thick.
How many cubic yards of concrete are required?
Thickness = 10 in = 0.833 ft
Volume = 500 × 24 × 0.833 = 9,996 ft³
CY = 9,996 ÷ 27 = 370.2 CY
A paving crew places asphalt during light rain. The inspector should:
A. Allow work to continue if temperatures are acceptable
B. Stop placement to prevent moisture damage
C. Increase rolling
D. Only document conditions
B — Stop placement to prevent moisture damage
Water breaks bond and causes stripping and raveling.
Concrete pavement is being placed during hot weather. Slump is within tolerance, but air content is consistently testing at 6.8% when the spec requires 5% ±1%. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Accept because high air improves freeze-thaw resistance
B. Require adjustment to bring air content within tolerance
C. Allow placement but increase curing time
D. Reject only if compressive strength fails later
B — Require adjustment to bring air content within tolerance
6.8% is outside the allowed 4–6% range. Even “better durability” is not a valid reason to ignore specs.
During embankment construction, lifts should be compacted in layers not exceeding the thickness specified primarily to ensure:
A. Faster production
B. Uniform moisture distribution
C. Proper density throughout the lift
D. Reduced fuel usage
C — Proper density throughout the lift
Too-thick lifts won’t compact uniformly.
A contractor proposes placing embankment fill with moisture content 4% above optimum. The compaction test results show density is barely meeting minimum requirements. Which is the best engineering judgment?
A. Accept because density meets spec
B. Reject because moisture content is outside typical tolerance
C. Allow placement with additional roller passes
D. Accept only if the engineer approves
D — Accept only if the engineer approves
Density barely passing with moisture far above optimum is a risk. Inspector cannot approve — must elevate
Density Compliance
A soil sample has:
• Wet weight = 3,600 g
• Mold volume = 0.1 ft³
• Moisture content = 12%
If the spec requires ≥ 110 pcf, does it pass?
Wet density = 3,600 g ÷ 0.1 ft³ = 36,000 g/ft³
Convert to lb:
36,000 ÷ 454 = 79.3 lb/ft³ (wet)
Dry density = 79.3 ÷ (1 + 0.12) = 70.8 pcf
Spec = 110 pcf → FAIL
When checking cross slope with a level and ruler, the inspector is verifying compliance with:
A. Horizontal alignment
B. Vertical alignment
C. Superelevation and drainage
D. Pavement thickness
C — Superelevation and drainage
Cross slope controls water runoff and curve safety.
A contractor wants to change aggregate source due to plant shortages. The material appears visually similar. What must occur before the material is used?
A. Visual inspection only
B. Field density testing
C. Engineer approval with testing
D. Contractor certification
C — Engineer approval with testing
Material source changes require formal approval and verification.
An inspector observes segregation in the mat behind the screed. The contractor states that the mix design was approved and blames the plant. Which is the inspector’s most correct action?
A. Order immediate shutdown of paving operations
B. Require corrective action to placement methods
C. Accept the work since the design is approved
D. Reject the entire day’s production
B — Require corrective action to placement methods
Segregation is often caused by handling and placement, not mix design alone.
A pavement section meets thickness and density but exhibits low skid resistance in testing. What is the inspector’s best recommendation?
A. Accept because structural requirements are met
B. Require surface treatment or corrective action
C. Ignore because skid resistance changes over time
D. Reduce payment only
B — Require surface treatment or corrective action
Skid resistance is a safety issue even if structure is fine.
Asphalt Pay Quantity
An asphalt surface course is placed:
• Length = 2,000 ft
• Width = 24 ft
• Thickness = 1.5 inches
• Density = 145 lb/ft³
How many tons should be paid?
Thickness = 1.5 in = 0.125 ft
Volume = 2,000 × 24 × 0.125 = 6,000 ft³
Weight = 6,000 × 145 = 870,000 lb
Tons = 870,000 ÷ 2,000 = 435 tons