Cheat sheet
ACI Field Testing Grade I Cheat Sheet
Cheat sheet ACI Field Testing Grade I Cheat Sheet Practice Questions Study Guide Print / Save PDF
Sampling + Basic Tests 30% of exam Exam Facts C172 Sampling C1064 Temperature C143 Slump Timing Picker
Density + Air 40% of exam C138 Density C231 Pressure Air C173 Volumetric Air Air Picker Pressure vs Volumetric
Specimens + Performance 30% of exam C31 Specimens Curing Performance Exam Source Control Cylinders vs Beams
Quick Facts Credential ACI Field Grade I Written 55 MCQ Time 1 hour Book Closed book Pass 70% overall Minimum 60% per method Performance 6 demos + C172 Validity 5 years
Seven Standards SA Sample, temp, slump, density, pressure, roll, specimens. C172 sample C1064 temp C143 slump C138 density C231 pressure C173 roll C31 specimens
Slump vs Air SA
Slump Workability Cone lift Nearest 1/4 in
Air Entrained air Meter reading Report percent Shape vs voids
Method Picker SA Need representative sample → C172 ( Sampling ) Need concrete temperature → C1064 ( Thermometer ) Need workability → C143 ( Slump cone ) Need unit weight → C138 ( Density ) Need yield → C138 ( Batch volume ) Need pressure air → C231 ( Normal aggregate ) Need roll meter → C173 ( Volumetric ) Need strength specimens → C31 ( Molds )
Exam Facts SA ACI Program owner JTA Task blueprint Written 55 multiple choice Duration 1 hour Questions 5-10 per method Overall pass 70% minimum Method pass 60% minimum
Slump Sequence SA Three layers, twenty-five rods, lift steady. 3 layers 25 strokes 5 +/- 2 sec 2-1/2 min
Sample vs Test SA
C172 Obtain sample Protect sample Control timing
Test method Measure property Use apparatus Report result Source before measurement
Timing Picker SA Composite portions → 15 min ( C172 ) Start slump → 5 min ( C172 ) Start air → 5 min ( C172 ) Start temperature → 5 min ( C172 ) Begin molding → 15 min ( C172 ) Temperature stabilizes → 2-5 min ( C1064 ) Lift slump cone → 5 +/- 2 sec ( C143 ) Finish slump test → 2-1/2 min ( C143 )
Standards Map SA C1064 Temperature C172 Sampling C143 Slump C138 Density/yield C231 Pressure air C173 Volumetric air C31 Field specimens
C172 Sampling SA Purpose Representative sample Composite span 15 min max Start tests 5 min max Mold strength 15 min max Protect sample Avoid contamination Remix Before testing Oversize aggregate Wet sieve
C1064 Temperature SA Sensor cover 3 in minimum Stabilize 2-5 min Read to 1 F Verify device Annual minimum Measure location Forms or sample Avoid sun Shield reading Report Concrete temperature
C143 Slump SA Mold Damp cone Layers 3 equal layers Rodding 25 strokes/layer Rod 5/8 in Lift 5 +/- 2 sec Total time 2-1/2 min max Measure Nearest 1/4 in
Air Choice ME Pressure likes normal; rolls handle porous. C231 normal C173 lightweight C173 porous Correct readings
Pressure vs Volumetric ME
C231 Pressure meter Normal aggregate Aggregate correction
C173 Roll meter Any aggregate Alcohol correction Pressure vs displacement
Air Picker ME Normal aggregate → C231 ( Pressure ) Lightweight aggregate → C173 ( Volumetric ) Porous aggregate → C173 ( Volumetric ) Need correction factor → C231 ( Aggregate ) Reading unstable → C173 ( Repeat roll ) Bowl has concrete → Invalid ( C173 )
C138 Density ME Measure Known volume Mass empty Tare measure Mass full Filled measure Strike off Plane surface Clean rim Before weighing Density Mass/volume Yield Batch volume
C231 Pressure Air ME Meter Type A/B Use for Normal aggregate Avoid Lightweight aggregate Correction Aggregate factor Petcocks Expel air Gauge Read pressure Report Corrected air
C173 Volumetric Air ME Meter Roll-a-meter Use for Any aggregate Add water Then alcohol Invert Displace air Roll Agitate meter Stabilize Final reading Validate Check bowl
Specimen Care SP Mold, mark, cover, cure, transport. Identify Prevent moisture loss Protect temperature Avoid vibration
Written vs Performance SP
Written 55 MCQ 1 hour 70% overall
Performance Six demos C172 verbal Observed steps Knowledge vs hands-on
C31 Specimens SP Purpose Strength specimens Fresh tests Slump air temp Cylinder ID Mark clearly Finish Plane surface Moisture loss Prevent immediately Initial cure Protect specimens Transport Protect from damage
C138 vs C31 SP
C138 Density Yield Gravimetric air
C31 Cylinders Beams Curing Batch math vs specimens
Performance Exam SP Format Closed book Demos Six methods C172 Verbal description Judged on Required steps Practice Use real apparatus Narrate State results Retest Local sponsor rules
Standard vs Field Cure SP
Standard cure Acceptance strength Controlled curing Lab transfer
Field cure Structure conditions In-place estimate Same exposure Acceptance vs jobsite
Common Traps
Overall Pass Trap 70% overall ≠ 60% each method
Sampling Performance Trap Six demonstrations ≠ C172 verbal only
Air Method Trap C231 normal aggregate ≠ C173 lightweight aggregate
Slump Tap Trap Rod slump layers ≠ Tap air measures
Temperature Depth Trap 3 in cover ≠ No exposed sensor
Specimen Timing Trap Mold within 15 min ≠ Protect immediately
Last Minute 1 . Seven ASTM methods memorized 2 . C172 timing limits memorized 3 . C1064: 3 in cover 4 . C143: 3 layers, 25 rods 5 . C138: density equals mass/volume 6 . C231 needs aggregate correction 7 . C173 validates empty bowl 8 . C31 protects fresh specimens 9 . Pass requires per-method minimum 10 . Performance requires visible steps
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