Site Work and Excavation Flashcards
7 cards from real General Contractor License practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Site Work and Excavation flashcards as text
Which piece of equipment is best suited for bulk earthmoving operations over long haul distances on a large grading project?
Answer: Scraper (motorized or push-pull)
Self-loading scrapers efficiently cut, carry, and deposit large volumes of soil over longer distances in a single operation, making them ideal for mass grading.
What does 'shrinkage factor' mean in earthwork calculations?
Answer: The reduction in volume when loose soil is compacted relative to its bank volume
Shrinkage factor accounts for the fact that compacted fill occupies less volume than the same material in its natural bank state, affecting fill quantity calculations.
What is 'rock excavation' typically defined as in contract specifications?
Answer: Material that cannot be excavated without blasting or hydraulic breaking due to its hardness
Contract specifications typically define rock excavation as material requiring mechanical breaking (hoe-ram) or blasting to remove, and it is usually paid at a higher unit price.
In an urban excavation project, what is 'sheet piling' primarily used for?
Answer: Creating a watertight vertical barrier to retain soil and groundwater around an excavation
Sheet piling consists of interlocking steel or vinyl sections driven into the ground to retain soil and groundwater, allowing excavation in tight urban spaces without sloping.
What frequency of inspection is required for excavations by a competent person?
Answer: Daily and after any hazardous condition (rain, freeze-thaw, adjacent loads)
OSHA requires a competent person to inspect excavations daily before work begins and as needed throughout the shift, and after rain, freezing, or other events that could affect stability.
What is the OSHA-required maximum depth for an unprotected trench in stable rock?
Answer: Any depth is acceptable in stable rock without protection
OSHA allows vertical walls without protective systems only in stable rock because the rock itself provides the structural support that prevents collapse.
When grading a site, a 'swale' is designed to:
Answer: Direct surface water away from structures in a controlled path
A swale is a shallow, vegetated or lined channel that collects and conveys stormwater away from buildings and across the site to a designated outlet.