ACI Adhesive Anchor Inspector

Under IBC Chapter 17, which type of adhesive anchor installation requires CONTINUOUS special inspection?

• AAll adhesive anchors regardless of orientation or load
• BHorizontal or upwardly inclined adhesive anchors resisting sustained tension loads
• COnly adhesive anchors installed in masonry walls
• DOnly adhesive anchors loaded in pure shear

Which ACI 318 chapter contains the anchoring-to-concrete provisions that govern adhesive anchor design and installer qualification?

• AChapter 14 — Plain Concrete
• BChapter 17 — Anchoring to Concrete
• CChapter 22 — Sectional Strength
• DChapter 26 — Construction Documents and Inspection

ACI 355.4 classifies post-installed adhesive anchors into how many installation sensitivity categories?

• ATwo (Category A and Category B)
• BThree (Category 1, 2, and 3)
• CFour (Category I, II, III, and IV)
• DFive (Categories 1 through 5)

What does 'MPII' stand for in the context of adhesive anchor installation?

• AManufacturer's Product Installation Instructions
• BMinimum Pre-Installation Inspection
• CManufacturer's Printed Installation Instructions
• DMandatory Post-Installation Inspection

Which organization's Evaluation Service Report (ESR) is MOST commonly referenced for qualifying adhesive anchor products under IBC Chapter 17?

• AASTM International
• BICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES)
• CACI Committee 355
• DUnderwriters Laboratories Product Spec

The 2006 Boston 'Big Dig' Interstate 90 connector tunnel ceiling collapse was directly attributable to which adhesive anchor failure mode?

• AInsufficient edge distance causing concrete splitting
• BLong-term creep of an unsuitable polyester-based adhesive under sustained tension
• CCorrosion of the threaded rod by chloride exposure
• DImpact failure from a vehicle striking the anchors

Which ACI 318 section specifically requires that installers of adhesive anchors in horizontal or upwardly inclined orientations resisting sustained tension be CERTIFIED by an applicable certification program?

• ASection 17.2 (General)
• BSection 17.8 (Design of Adhesive Anchors)
• CSection 17.11 (Installer Qualification)
• DSection 26.7 (Inspection)

What is the primary document that the special inspector uses to verify the scope and frequency of inspections required on a project?

• ABuilding Permit
• BStatement of Special Inspections
• COSHA Site Safety Plan
• DManufacturer's Installation Guide

The inspector arrives at the site and finds the installer's ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification wallet card expired three months ago. The correct action is to:

• AAllow work to continue if the installer demonstrates proper technique
• BStop that installer's work on adhesive anchors and document a discrepancy
• CAccept a verbal assurance from the foreman that recertification is pending
• DRe-inspect the installer's previous work instead

According to most manufacturer MPIIs and ACI 355.4, the correct sequence for cleaning a drilled hole BEFORE adhesive injection typically is:

• ABlow once, brush once, blow once
• BBlow, blow, brush (any order)
• CBlow, brush, blow (or blow-brush-blow-brush-blow per MPII)
• DA water flush only

The inspector notices that the installer is using a wire brush that appears to have reduced bristle diameter compared to a new brush. What is the concern?

• AWorn brushes are allowed indefinitely — the brushing action alone is what matters
• BA worn brush may no longer make full contact with the hole wall, leaving dust that preven…
• CWorn brushes are faster and therefore acceptable
• DThe concern is only color — worn brushes are typically marked differently

For a Category 1 adhesive anchor (lowest installation sensitivity) per ACI 355.4, permissible drilling methods typically include:

• ARotary hammer only
• BRotary hammer, rock drill, and diamond core drilling (subject to product qualification)
• CHand drilling with a masonry bit
• DWater jet only

When injecting adhesive into a drilled hole, best practice and MPIIs require the installer to start injection from:

• AThe top of the hole, letting gravity draw adhesive down
• BThe bottom of the hole, withdrawing the nozzle slowly to avoid voids
• CThe middle of the hole, filling outward in both directions
• DThe side of the hole, to allow air to escape

The typical MPII specification for the volume of adhesive injected into a hole before inserting the anchor is that the hole should be approximately filled to what level?

• AOne-quarter full
• BOne-half full
• CTwo-thirds full
• DCompletely full to the top with no anchor inserted

The inspector observes that the installer extruded a small amount of adhesive from the nozzle onto a cardboard before injecting into the hole. This step is:

• AWasteful and should be stopped
• BCorrect — it discards unmixed adhesive and verifies uniform color at the nozzle tip
• COnly for temperature checks
• DA manufacturer marketing requirement, not a technical one

After the anchor is inserted into the adhesive-filled hole, the installer must NOT disturb it until what milestone is reached?

• AInitial set of the adhesive
• BThe end of the gel (working) time only
• CThe full cure time per MPII
• DThe end of the next shift

Gel time and cure time of adhesive anchors are MOST significantly affected by which environmental factor?

• ABarometric pressure
• BBase material (substrate) temperature
• CRelative humidity of outside air
• DWind speed

An installer wants to install adhesive anchors when the base concrete is 25 degrees F (below freezing). The MPII shows the minimum permitted base material temperature is 40 degrees F. The inspector should:

• AAllow the work if the ambient air temperature is above freezing
• BAllow the work if the installer uses a different product label
• CStop the installation until the substrate is warmed (or a cold-weather-qualified product…
• DAllow the work because adhesive anchor cure always continues slowly even below freezing

Adhesive cartridges found at the jobsite show an expiration date that has passed by two weeks. The inspector must:

• AAllow their use if they have been stored in the shade
• BRequire the expired cartridges be removed from service — expired product cannot be used
• CAllow their use if the installer performs a proof load test on one anchor
• DAllow their use if the contractor signs a waiver

Under IBC Chapter 17, what is the fundamental difference between CONTINUOUS and PERIODIC special inspection?

• AContinuous means daily; periodic means weekly
• BContinuous requires the inspector to be present during all work being inspected; periodic…
• CContinuous is for structural work; periodic is for architectural work
• DContinuous requires a licensed engineer; periodic does not

Which of the following is the inspector's responsibility at the PRE-INSTALLATION meeting?

• APreparing the mix design for the adhesive product
• BReviewing the approved product, MPII, installer certifications, drilling method, hole cle…
• CIssuing the installer's wallet certification card
• DSigning the contractor's payment application

The contract documents specify a Hilti HIT-HY 200 adhesive anchor system. The inspector arrives to find the installer using a different manufacturer's product with cartridges labeled 'equivalent.' The correct action is:

• AAccept the substitute because it is marketed as equivalent
• BStop the work, document the discrepancy, and notify the engineer of record — product subs…
• CTest one anchor and allow the work if it passes
• DAllow the work but note it in the daily log without further action

For proof load testing of post-installed anchors, which standard establishes the test method?

• AASTM C39
• BASTM E488 / E488M
• CASTM C1583
• DAISC 360

The contract documents require 5 percent of the adhesive anchors on a project to be proof load tested to a specified load. During testing, one anchor fails below the required load. The inspector should:

• AIgnore the one failure — it is statistically insignificant
• BDocument the failure, notify the EOR, and follow the contract-specified remedial action (…
• CRetest the failed anchor after an additional 24 hours of cure
• DRequire all anchors to be removed and replaced immediately

Which of the following is a REQUIRED element of the inspector's daily inspection report for adhesive anchor work?

• AThe inspector's home address
• BNames of non-working visitors to the site
• CLocation of work inspected, results including any discrepancies, and the inspector's sign…
• DA copy of the contractor's payroll

When drilling holes for adhesive anchors, the bit diameter must match:

• AAny standard masonry bit size the installer prefers
• BThe diameter specified in the MPII (typically referenced to the nominal anchor diameter)
• CThe diameter of the rebar in the concrete
• DHalf the anchor diameter

A drill bit is being used to drill adhesive anchor holes. The inspector can verify the bit is not excessively worn by:

• AChecking the bit's color
• BUsing the manufacturer's go/no-go gauge or caliper to measure the carbide tip diameter ag…
• CCounting the number of holes the bit has drilled since it was new
• DListening to the drill sound

The drilled hole depth must be:

• AAt least as deep as the specified embedment, measured from the concrete surface to the bo…
• BAlways exactly 4 inches
• CTwice the anchor diameter
• DThe same as the anchor thread length

The minimum edge distance (ca,min) for an adhesive anchor is governed by:

• AThe contractor's preference
• BThe anchor manufacturer's ESR values and the engineer's design drawings
• CThe diameter of the drill bit alone
• DThe thickness of the concrete element

If the installer strikes a rebar while drilling, the inspector should ensure the installer:

• AContinues drilling to cut through the rebar
• BAbandons the hole per the specified procedure and drills a new hole, documenting the aban…
• CFills the hole with grout and proceeds to drill again through the same hole
• DReports the issue at the end of the day

A 'wet hole' condition (standing water in the hole at time of adhesive injection) may be permitted ONLY when:

• AThe installer feels confident in the work
• BThe specific adhesive product's MPII and ESR explicitly qualify the product for wet hole…
• CThe hole is dried by wiping with a rag
• DThe adhesive warms up to room temperature

Threaded rods for adhesive anchors are typically manufactured to which ASTM standard when specified as ASTM F1554 Grade 55 or A193 Grade B7?

• AThe rods are not standardized
• BASTM F1554 and ASTM A193 cover anchor rod/stud material specifications used as adhesive a…
• COnly high-strength steel per ASTM A490
• DAny reinforcing steel meets the requirement

Threaded rods intended for adhesive anchors should arrive on site with:

• ANo markings — only color coding is required
• BGrade markings per the ASTM specification (e.g., '55' or 'B7') and free of oil, mill scal…
• CA protective grease coating to prevent corrosion
• DPre-tied rebar cages

A piston plug or extension tube is used during adhesive injection of overhead adhesive anchors primarily to:

• AIncrease injection speed
• BPrevent air entrapment and ensure the hole fills from the bottom up without the adhesive…
• CReduce the amount of adhesive used
• DMeasure the depth of the hole

The final report of special inspections required by IBC Section 1704.2.4 is submitted at the end of the project. Its purpose is to:

• ADemonstrate to the building official that required special inspections were performed, do…
• BRequest payment from the owner
• CCertify the contractor's workmanship
• DExtend the building permit

Under IBC Chapter 17, which party is responsible for preparing the Statement of Special Inspections?

• AThe contractor
• BThe registered design professional in responsible charge (typically the structural engine…
• CThe building official
• DThe special inspector

The inspector arrives to find the installer has already drilled and cleaned the holes before the inspector arrived — but has not yet started adhesive injection. Since this is a continuous inspection job, the inspector should:

• AAccept the work and proceed
• BReject the pre-inspection work: the holes should be cleaned again in the inspector's pres…
• CDocument the event but allow injection because the holes look clean
• DIgnore the issue if the installer is certified

Which of the following is typically NOT part of the installer's responsibility but IS the inspector's responsibility?

• ADrilling the holes
• BCleaning the holes
• CVerifying the product matches the contract documents and ESR, and documenting that instal…
• DInjecting the adhesive

Sustained tension load, in the context of ACI 318 Section 17.11 and IBC Chapter 17 inspection requirements, means:

• AOnly the weight of the anchor itself
• BTension load that acts on the anchor for an extended period of time, such as the weight o…
• CShort-term wind uplift that lasts a few seconds
• DTension during seismic events only

During inspection, the inspector discovers an anchor has been installed with the threaded rod rotated (spun) after insertion but before cure. This is:

• AStandard procedure and acceptable
• BA defect — the rod should not be rotated or disturbed during cure as it damages the adhes…
• CRequired to achieve correct cure
• DOnly acceptable if marked with a torque wrench

ACI 355.4 requires adhesive anchor products be qualified through creep tests under sustained loading primarily to:

• AMeasure the bond strength at first installation
• BCharacterize the long-term displacement and capacity reduction of the adhesive under sust…
• CCheck the cure rate
• DAssess fire resistance

The inspector notices the contract documents specify an adhesive anchor embedment depth of 6 inches, but the installer is drilling to only 5 inches. The correct action is:

• AAllow the work — one inch is negligible
• BStop the installation, document the discrepancy, and require the holes be drilled to the…
• CIncrease the adhesive quantity to compensate
• DRefer to the installer's judgment

Who ultimately has authority to accept or reject adhesive anchor work that fails to meet the contract documents?

• AThe installer
• BThe general contractor
• CThe engineer of record (with the building official as the authority having jurisdiction)
• DThe hardware store supplier

The adhesive cartridge storage temperature is typically specified as:

• AAny temperature the contractor prefers
• BWithin a specific range (commonly 40 to 80 degrees F) per the MPII, out of direct sunlight
• CAbove 100 degrees F to keep adhesive fluid
• DBelow freezing to extend shelf life

A compressed air source used for hole blowing in adhesive anchor installation must be:

• AAny compressed air available
• BOil-free — compressed air with lubricating oil contamination will coat the hole and preve…
• CNitrogen only
• DAt a pressure of 500 psi minimum

An adhesive anchor product's ESR limits it to Category 1 anchors installed with rotary hammer drilling. The installer is using a diamond core drill. The inspector must:

• AAllow the work because core drilling is cleaner
• BStop the work — the drilling method must be qualified by the product's ESR, and core dril…
• CAllow the work if the hole is cleaned an extra time
• DAllow the work if the installer signs a statement of competence

Which of the following is a typical component of an ACI 318 Section 17.11 inspection checklist for adhesive anchors?

• AVerification of curing compound color
• BVerification of installer certification, approved product, drilling method, hole cleaning…
• CInspection of reinforcing steel spacing in walls
• DConcrete mix design review