ACI Aggregate Level 1 study plan
ACI Aggregate Level 1 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Gradation and particle size analysis & Aggregate sampling and sample reduction
Explain how sampling method and mass affect the representativeness of a gradation result
Compute percent retained, cumulative percent retained, and percent passing from a raw sieve mass table without a template
Apply the quartering and mechanical-splitter procedures to reduce a field sample to test size
Solve 10 gradation and sample-reduction practice problems and log every error with its cause
Your checkpoint
A one-page worked gradation calculation sheet (raw masses through percent passing) plus a 10-item error log
Gradation and particle size analysis
Select the correct sieve series and minimum sample mass for a given nominal maximum size
Interpret a gradation curve against a specification band and identify which sieves fail
Calculate fineness modulus and combined-aggregate proportions for a two-stockpile blend
Distinguish coarse versus fine aggregate fraction boundaries and their reporting conventions
Your checkpoint
A completed blended-aggregate worksheet meeting a stated target gradation within band, showing blend proportions and verification
Physical property tests (specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, voids) & Moisture content and density determination
Compute bulk specific gravity, bulk SSD, apparent specific gravity, and absorption from a single data set
Explain how the SSD condition is established and why it drives the absorption result
Calculate unit weight, voids in aggregate, and voids filled for a compacted or loose sample
Describe the oven-drying and mass-loss procedure for moisture content and identify the tolerance for constant mass
Your checkpoint
A spreadsheet that accepts mass data and returns all specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, and moisture outputs, validated against three hand-checked cases
Durability and soundness testing & Aggregate specifications and acceptance criteria
Trace a soundness test result from soak cycles through mass loss to percent loss and pass/fail
Compare sulfate soundness loss limits against abrasion loss limits and explain why both exist
Map each of the six acceptance criteria categories to the test that produces it
Interpret a specification table and determine acceptance for a supplied test report
Your checkpoint
A specification-to-test crosswalk table plus three worked accept/reject determinations
Moisture content and density determination & Physical property tests (specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, voids)
Perform density and moisture calculations from field and lab data for both coarse and fine fractions
Reconcile a field moisture result with a lab oven-dry result and explain any discrepancy
Calculate percent absorption effects on batch weights in a simple mix adjustment
Identify the two most common arithmetic errors in density work and build a check into each calculation
Your checkpoint
A mix-adjustment memo converting an as-received aggregate mass to oven-dry and SSD batch masses with all intermediate values shown
Test equipment, calibration, and verification & Laboratory safety, data quality, and reporting
Build a calibration and verification schedule for sieves, balances, ovens, and tamping equipment
State the acceptance tolerance for each piece of equipment and the action taken when it fails
Write a chain-of-custody and sample-identification procedure from field collection to report
Identify the data-quality flags that require a test to be voided and repeated
Your checkpoint
An equipment calibration and verification log template with tolerances, frequency, and out-of-tolerance corrective action
Aggregate sampling and sample reduction & Aggregate specifications and acceptance criteria & Laboratory safety, data quality, and reporting
Assemble a full sample-to-report workflow for a single aggregate lot
Apply sampling frequency and lot-size rules to a production scenario
Write a report that presents results, specification limits, and acceptance status unambiguously
Audit one of your own earlier deliverables for missing units, rounding, or unstated assumptions
Your checkpoint
A complete mock acceptance report for one aggregate lot, from sampling record through final disposition
Gradation and particle size analysis & Physical property tests (specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, voids) & Durability and soundness testing & Aggregate specifications and acceptance criteria
Complete a timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set at 80 percent or better
Re-derive every formula from memory without reference material
Re-teach the three weakest topics in writing to expose remaining gaps
Build a final one-page formula and tolerance reference sheet
Your checkpoint
Timed practice score with a topic-by-topic breakdown and a completed one-page formula and tolerance reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80 percent or better on a 15-question gradation and sample-reduction self-quiz without notes
Week 4: Correctly determine acceptance or rejection on three supplied test reports using only the specification limits
Week 6: Produce a calibration schedule that names every piece of equipment, its tolerance, and its verification frequency with no omissions
Week 8: Score 80 percent or better on the timed 60-question mixed set and complete the formula reference sheet from memory