ASCE Quality Assurance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A process operating at a Six Sigma level, allowing for the conventional 1.5-sigma shift, produces approximately how many defects per million opportunities?
- 3.4 (Correct answer)
- 66
- 233
- 6,210
Correct answer: 3.4
Six Sigma with the 1.5σ shift equates to about 3.4 DPMO.
Question 2: A process capability index (Cpk) of 1.33 or greater generally indicates that a process:
- Is out of statistical control
- Is capable of meeting specification limits (Correct answer)
- Has a mean exactly at the target
- Requires 100% inspection
Correct answer: Is capable of meeting specification limits
Cpk ≥ 1.33 is the common benchmark for a capable process relative to specification limits.
Question 3: When the engineer of record reviews contractor shop drawings, the primary purpose is to verify:
- The contractor's means and methods
- General conformance with the design intent and contract documents (Correct answer)
- Exact field dimensions
- Construction site safety procedures
Correct answer: General conformance with the design intent and contract documents
Submittal review checks general conformance with design intent; means, methods, and safety stay with the contractor.
Question 4: An independent registrar audits a firm to certify its quality system to ISO 9001. This is classified as a:
- First-party audit
- Second-party audit
- Third-party audit (Correct answer)
- Internal process audit
Correct answer: Third-party audit
Certification audits by independent bodies are third-party audits.
Question 5: Before a concrete pour, a special inspector checks reinforcement. Which item is LEAST likely to be part of that inspection?
- Bar size and spacing
- Concrete cover and support chairs
- Lap splice lengths
- Concrete slump (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Concrete slump
Slump is a fresh-concrete test done during placement, not part of the pre-pour reinforcing inspection.
Question 6: Which ASTM standard covers measuring the in-place density of soil using the sand-cone method?
- ASTM D1556 (Correct answer)
- ASTM D6938
- ASTM D2167
- ASTM D4318
Correct answer: ASTM D1556
ASTM D1556 is the sand-cone method, and D2167 is the rubber-balloon method.
Question 7: To ensure traceability of structural steel delivered to a project, QA personnel compare heat numbers on the members to which document?
- Certified mill test reports (Correct answer)
- The bill of lading
- The project schedule
- The concrete mix design
Correct answer: Certified mill test reports
Mill test reports link heat numbers to chemical and mechanical properties, which establishes material traceability.
ASCE Quality Assurance 5
A process operating at a Six Sigma level, allowing for the conventional 1.5-sigma shift, produces approximately how many defects per million opportunities?