NICET HCI cheat sheet

Station 100+00 equals 1,000 ft from the project baseline; one full station equals 100 ft, and plan stationing increases in the direction of the baseline.

Pipe invert elevation is the inside flowline at the pipe end; crown elevation equals invert elevation plus the pipe internal diameter.

When contract documents conflict, apply the order of precedence stated in the contract; special provisions normally govern over standard specifications and plans.

A daily inspection report records date, weather, location by station, contractor forces and equipment, pay quantities, tests, visitors, delays, and instructions given.

Pay quantities are measured only for accepted work within plan limits; work outside the limits or without authorization is documented but not paid unless changed by written order.

An approved submittal or shop drawing is required before installing manufactured or fabricated items; field changes are recorded as redlines for as-built drawings.

For a nonconforming item, the inspector documents the condition, notifies the resident engineer or owner, and does not accept or cover the work until resolution is directed.

Test results are logged with sample location, station, offset, date, sample ID, test method, and acceptance status so results can be tied to the pay item.

Average end-area volume: V = L(A1 + A2)/2; with areas in square feet and length in feet, divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.

Prismoidal volume: V = L(A1 + 4Am + A2)/6, where Am is the mid-section area; use for variable sections.

Swell percent = [(loose volume - bank volume) / bank volume] × 100; shrinkage percent relates compacted volume to bank volume.

Embankment acceptance is typically based on percentage of maximum dry density from a standard or modified Proctor test, commonly 95% or higher; verify the specified method.

Moisture content is held near optimum, often within about ±2 percentage points, unless the specification sets a different tolerance.

Topsoil, roots, organic material, and unsuitable soft soils are stripped or removed before fill; proofrolling identifies unstable subgrade.

Existing slopes steeper than 4H:1V are typically benched before placing fill to key new embankment into the slope.

Trench excavations 5 ft or deeper require a protective system; spoil and equipment are kept at least 2 ft back from the excavation edge.

Lift thickness is controlled to the specified compacted depth, commonly 6 to 8 in loose; each lift is tested before the next is placed.

Asphalt binder content is expressed as a percentage of total mix mass; aggregate gradation and binder grade must match the approved mix design.

Field density of asphalt is commonly reported as a percentage of maximum theoretical density (Gmm); acceptance is typically 92% or higher per the specification.

Aggregate base compaction is commonly specified at 95% to 100% of maximum laboratory density; test frequency follows the agency schedule.

Compaction must be completed before the asphalt surface temperature falls below the specified minimum; rolling temperatures are mix-specific.

Tack coat is applied to existing surfaces at the specified residual rate, commonly 0.05 to 0.15 gal/sy of diluted emulsion; allow it to break before paving.

Prime coat is applied to untreated base at about 0.10 to 0.30 gal/sy; it is cured and blotted before the asphalt layer is placed.

A 10-ft straightedge is used to check smoothness; variations greater than the specified tolerance, often 1/4 in, are corrected.

Segregation appears as coarse, dry patches; it is caused by improper loading, discharge, or paver operation and is rejected or corrected.

Asphalt lift thickness is generally limited to about 2 to 3 in compacted for dense-graded mixes; thicker lifts require the specified mix and roller capability.

Concrete air content for freeze-thaw exposure is commonly 5% to 8%, depending on maximum aggregate size; test by pressure meter or volumetric method.

Slump is measured with ASTM C143; acceptance limits are set by the specification, and water is never added to increase slump beyond the approved mix design.

Saw joints are cut about 1/4 to 1/3 of slab thickness, as soon as the concrete can be sawed without raveling, often within 6 to 18 hours.

Transverse joint spacing is commonly 24 to 30 times the slab thickness in inches; an 8-in slab gives about 16 to 20 ft spacing.

Dowel bars transfer load across transverse joints; tie bars hold longitudinal lanes together and are not intended to allow movement.

Curing compound is applied at the specified coverage rate immediately after finishing; curing typically continues for 7 days or until the specified strength is reached.

Concrete is placed in layers and consolidated with vibrators; free fall is limited to about 5 ft to prevent segregation.

Acceptance strength is based on flexural or compressive tests; traffic opening usually requires a specified percentage of design strength, often 75% or more.

Manning's equation in English units: Q = (1.486/n) A R^(2/3) S^(1/2), where R is hydraulic radius and S is slope.

Rational method peak flow: Q = C i A; use consistent units, and check the agency's design storm and runoff coefficients.

Culvert invert is the inside bottom elevation at the entrance or outlet; flowline elevations control grade and are checked against plan.

Storm drain minimum slope is commonly 0.5% to 1.0%, depending on pipe size and agency criteria; verify plan profile.

Catch basin sumps are typically 6 to 12 in below the outlet invert to trap sediment; verify the specified sump depth.

Silt fence is placed on the contour, with the bottom trench keyed and buried; it is not used in concentrated flow channels.

Culvert cover and bedding must meet the specified minimum; flexible pipe deflects under load and requires proper backfill compaction.

New storm sewers are often inspected by CCTV for alignment, joint separation, debris, and infiltration before acceptance.

Typical concrete cover over reinforcement is 3 in where cast against earth and 2 in for exposed bridge surfaces; verify the contract's exposure class.

Falsework and formwork are inspected for alignment, elevation, bracing, and stability before concrete placement.

Concrete is placed in lifts and consolidated; free fall is limited to about 5 ft, and cold joints are prevented by continuous placement.

High-strength bolted connections use turn-of-nut, calibrated wrench, DTI, or tension-control methods; inspection verifies proper tension.

Structural welds require qualified welders and procedures; visual inspection plus the specified nondestructive testing is documented.

Pile driving records include hammer type, blows per foot, penetration, tip elevation, and bearing; refusal criteria follow the specification.

Bearing elevations for bridge seats and bearings are checked against plan before setting girders; tolerances are small.

Anchor bolts and embeds are checked for location, projection, and template before concrete is placed.

A TTC zone has four parts: advance warning area, transition area, activity area, and termination area; the activity area includes the work space, traffic space, and buffer space.

Merging taper length in feet: L = W × S for speeds 40 mph or less, where W is offset width in feet and S is speed in mph; for 45 mph and above, L = W × S² / 60.

Flaggers use a STOP/SLOW paddle, station themselves before the work area, and must have an escape route; flagger stations are not placed in the buffer space.

Workers within the right-of-way of a TTC zone wear ANSI/ISEA 107 high-visibility apparel; class depends on speed and exposure.

Channelizing devices include cones, drums, barricades, and tubular markers; spacing and taper lengths follow MUTCD and the traffic control plan.

The buffer space is a lateral or longitudinal area free of workers and equipment, separating traffic from the work space.

Temporary traffic control devices must be visible and retroreflective at night and maintained throughout the project; damaged devices are replaced.

Pedestrian access and temporary accessible routes must be maintained through or around the TTC zone.