ICC Soils Inspector EC flashcards
ICC Soils Inspector EC · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- USDA textural triangle
- A graphical tool used to classify soil texture based on the percentages of sand, silt, and clay; the intersection of these percentages determines the textural class.
- Liquid limit
- The water content at which a soil transitions from a plastic to a liquid state, determined by the Casagrande cup or fall cone test per ASTM D4318.
- Plasticity index
- The numerical difference between the liquid limit and plastic limit of a soil; it indicates the range of water content over which the soil behaves plastically.
- Standard Proctor test
- A laboratory compaction test (ASTM D698) using a 5.5-lb hammer dropped 12 inches in three layers to determine maximum dry density and optimum moisture content.
- Modified Proctor test
- A laboratory compaction test (ASTM D1557) using a 10-lb hammer dropped 18 inches in five layers, producing higher maximum dry density than the Standard Proctor test.
- Optimum moisture content
- The water content at which a soil achieves its maximum dry density under a given compactive effort; represented by the peak of the compaction curve.
- Sand cone method
- A field density test (ASTM D1556) that determines in-place soil density by measuring the volume of a test hole using calibrated sand.
- Nuclear gauge
- A field testing device (ASTM D6938) that uses radioactive sources to measure the wet density and moisture content of soil; requires licensing and calibration.
- Relative compaction
- The ratio of field dry density to the maximum dry density determined by a laboratory compaction test, expressed as a percentage; typically required to be 95% or higher.
- Seasonal high water table
- The highest elevation of the water table during the year, often indicated by redoximorphic features; critical for determining separation to infiltration systems.
- Redoximorphic features
- Soil color patterns (mottles) caused by repeated saturation and reduction; used to identify the seasonal high water table and drainage conditions.
- Test pit
- An excavation made to observe soil profile, depth to restrictive layers, and water table; typically dug with a backhoe and logged by a soil scientist or inspector.
- Setback requirement
- The minimum horizontal distance required between a structure or practice and a property line, well, or foundation, as specified by local code.
- Stop-work order
- A written directive issued by the code official to halt construction activities that are proceeding without a permit or in violation of code.
- Certificate of occupancy
- A document issued by the code official after final inspection, confirming that the building complies with applicable codes and can be occupied.
- Board of appeals
- A local body that hears appeals of decisions made by the code official, including interpretations of code and requests for variances.
- Special inspection
- Inspection by a qualified third party of critical elements (e.g., soil compaction, foundation excavation) as required by the code official.
- Nonconformance report
- A document that records a condition that does not comply with code or specifications, including the requirement, observed condition, and required corrective action.
- Daily inspection report
- A record of inspections performed each day, including date, weather, observations, test results, and any deviations from approved plans.
- Final inspection
- The last inspection conducted to verify that all work complies with approved plans and code before issuing a certificate of occupancy.
- Photographic documentation
- Dated photographs used to record site conditions, test locations, and construction progress; referenced in inspection reports for verification.
- USCS classification
- The Unified Soil Classification System, which categorizes soils into groups (e.g., GW, SP, CL) based on grain size, plasticity, and organic content.
- Atterberg limits
- The liquid limit, plastic limit, and shrinkage limit of fine-grained soils, which define their consistency and behavior at different moisture contents.
- Ribbon test
- A field method for estimating clay content by squeezing moist soil between the thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon; longer ribbons indicate higher clay content.
- Dilatancy test
- A field test for identifying silt by shaking a moist soil pat; water rises to the surface, giving a shiny appearance, indicating silt content.
- Permeability
- The ability of soil to transmit water, often estimated from texture and structure or measured by field infiltration tests; critical for stormwater design.
- Bedrock depth verification
- Determining the distance from the ground surface to bedrock; a minimum separation (e.g., 2 feet) is often required below infiltration practices.
- Compaction curve
- A graph plotting dry density versus moisture content from a laboratory compaction test; the peak indicates maximum dry density and optimum moisture content.
- Field density test
- Any in-place test (e.g., sand cone, nuclear gauge) used to determine the dry density and moisture content of compacted soil for acceptance.
- Permit requirement
- A legal authorization issued by the code official before construction begins; work without a permit is prohibited and may result in stop-work orders.
- Inspector authority
- The right of the code official to enter premises, inspect work, require corrections, and issue notices of violation or stop-work orders.
- Record retention
- The required period for keeping inspection reports, test results, and permits; specified by the jurisdiction and made available for review.