Practice Test Geeks(NETTCP) New England Transportation Technician Certification Program Practice Test
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Field Testing Flashcards

7 cards from real NETTCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Field Testing flashcards as text

  1. A field technician performing a Clegg Impact Soil Tester (CIST) test obtains a Clegg Impact Value (CIV) well below the specification minimum. What does this likely indicate?

    Answer: The soil stiffness is insufficient and additional compaction is needed

    A low CIV indicates the soil lacks the required stiffness, typically meaning more compaction passes are needed before it meets specification.

  2. When sampling hot mix asphalt (HMA) from a truck for field quality control, samples should be taken from:

    Answer: Multiple locations across the truck bed, avoiding edges and top surface

    Sampling from multiple interior locations avoids the segregated, cooled surface material and provides a representative sample.

  3. During a field inspection, a technician notices transverse cracking at regular intervals on a newly placed asphalt overlay. The most likely cause is:

    Answer: Reflection cracking from underlying pavement joints

    Regularly spaced transverse cracks in an overlay typically reflect the joint pattern or pre-existing cracks from the underlying pavement layer.

  4. What is the primary purpose of applying a tack coat before placing an asphalt overlay?

    Answer: To provide bond between the existing surface and the new overlay

    Tack coat (emulsified asphalt) creates adhesion between the existing pavement and the new HMA layer to prevent layer slippage.

  5. A technician is performing a field ride quality evaluation using an inertial profiler. What parameter does this device primarily measure?

    Answer: International Roughness Index (IRI)

    An inertial profiler measures longitudinal pavement elevation profiles, which are processed to calculate the International Roughness Index (IRI).

  6. According to AASHTO standards, how many concrete cylinders should typically be cast per composite sample for compressive strength testing on a highway project?

    Answer: 2 cylinders per sample at minimum

    AASHTO requires a minimum of two cylinders per composite sample so one can be tested at 28 days and one held for verification or early testing.

  7. When measuring pavement layer thickness in the field using a core sample, where should thickness be measured?

    Answer: Perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces at multiple locations averaged

    Thickness is measured perpendicular to the layer surfaces at several points around the core circumference and averaged for accuracy.