Florida General Contractor Soils and Foundation Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real Florida General Contractor practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Florida General Contractor Soils and Foundation Systems flashcards as text
In a Standard Penetration Test (SPT), what does the 'N-value' represent?
Answer: The number of hammer blows required to drive the sampler 12 inches into the soil
The SPT N-value is the blow count — the number of blows from a 140-lb hammer dropped 30 inches required to drive the split-spoon sampler 12 inches, indicating soil density or consistency.
An SPT blow count of 50 or 'refusal' most likely indicates which soil condition?
Answer: Very dense granular soil or rock
A blow count of 50 (or refusal when the sampler will not advance) indicates very dense granular soil or rock, which generally has high bearing capacity.
Under the Florida Building Code, who is authorized to prepare and seal a geotechnical investigation report for a construction project?
Answer: A licensed geotechnical or civil engineer registered in Florida
Florida law requires geotechnical reports to be prepared and sealed by a licensed professional engineer (geotechnical or civil) registered in Florida, as it involves engineering judgments about subsurface conditions.
What is the purpose of a French drain installed near a building foundation?
Answer: To redirect subsurface groundwater away from the foundation and reduce hydrostatic pressure
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that intercepts and redirects groundwater away from the foundation, preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup and moisture intrusion.
What is the purpose of a soil percolation (perc) test?
Answer: To measure how quickly water drains through the soil
A percolation test measures the rate at which water is absorbed by the soil, which is critical for sizing septic/drain field systems and evaluating on-site drainage design.
When is underpinning of an existing foundation most likely to be required?
Answer: When an existing foundation is inadequate or failing and must be deepened or stabilized
Underpinning is a foundation repair and improvement technique used when an existing foundation has inadequate bearing, is settling, or is undermined by adjacent excavation or construction.
Which ground improvement technique is NOT applicable to Florida construction due to the state's climate?
Answer: Permafrost stabilization treatment
Permafrost stabilization is used in arctic and sub-arctic regions to keep frozen ground from thawing under structures; Florida's warm climate means permafrost does not exist there.