ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer

Under ACI 318 Chapter 17, which installation orientation triggers the requirement that an adhesive anchor resisting sustained tension be installed by an ACI-certified Adhesive Anchor Installer?

• AVertical-down only
• BHorizontal or upwardly inclined (overhead)
• CAny orientation with a torque wrench
• DOnly underwater installations

The 2006 ceiling collapse in Boston's I-90 Connector tunnel (Big Dig) that killed a motorist was caused primarily by what failure mechanism?

• ACorrosion of stainless steel anchors
• BCreep failure of adhesive anchors under sustained overhead tension
• CFatigue cracking of steel plates
• DFire damage to the ceiling panels

The Manufacturer's Printed Installation Instructions (MPII) govern every certified adhesive anchor installation. Which statement BEST describes the installer's obligation regarding the MPII?

• AFollow the MPII only when it agrees with the contractor's preferred method
• BKeep the MPII on site and follow it exactly, including hole-cleaning sequence and cure ti…
• CUse any similar manufacturer's instructions if the specific product's MPII is unavailable
• DRely on memory from a previous project using the same adhesive

A typical hole-cleaning sequence required by the MPII for a hammer-drilled adhesive anchor hole in dry concrete is BEST described as:

• ABlow once and insert the anchor
• BBrush, blow, brush, blow, brush, blow to full depth
• CWipe with a damp rag and insert the anchor
• DVacuum only, no brushing required

Why is the brush used in the hole-cleaning sequence required to be the manufacturer-approved wire brush and not a generic brush of approximately the same size?

• AManufacturer brushes are cheaper
• BThe approved brush has the correct outside diameter and bristle stiffness to scour the ho…
• CGeneric brushes corrode faster
• DApproved brushes are color-coded for the project manager

Compressed air used for hole blowing during adhesive anchor installation must be:

• AAt least 150 psi from any source
• BOil-free and reach the bottom of the hole
• CHeated above ambient temperature
• DDelivered by a vacuum pump

ACI 355.4 classifies qualified post-installed adhesive anchors into categories based on:

• AColor of the cartridge label
• BSensitivity to installation and in-service conditions
• CCost per cartridge
• DDate of manufacture

During overhead adhesive anchor installation, what device is commonly required to keep the anchor from sliding out of the hole before the adhesive cures?

• AA second layer of adhesive applied externally
• BA piston plug, wedge, or other retention device specified by the MPII
• CA magnetic clamp
• DA plastic cap glued to the concrete

What is the correct way to dispense the FIRST portion of adhesive from a freshly installed cartridge and static mixing nozzle?

• AInject it directly into the first hole to save material
• BDischarge it to waste until the adhesive appears uniform in color and consistency
• CMix it manually with a stick
• DStore it for later use

Per the MPII, the static mixing nozzle supplied with an adhesive cartridge must be:

• AReused until the adhesive stops flowing
• BReplaced whenever the cartridge is changed or the adhesive begins to gel in the nozzle
• CCleaned with solvent and reused
• DCut shorter for faster flow

The correct adhesive injection technique for a vertical-down hole is to:

• AStart at the top of the hole and work down
• BStart at the bottom of the hole and slowly withdraw the nozzle as adhesive fills the hole
• CFill the hole half way and insert the anchor
• DInject adhesive only around the mouth of the hole

The MPII typically specifies injecting adhesive until the hole is approximately what fraction full before inserting the anchor?

• AExactly 100% full
• BApproximately 1/3 full
• CApproximately 1/2 to 2/3 full (as specified by the MPII)
• DJust a bead at the opening

When inserting a threaded rod into an adhesive-filled hole, the installer should:

• AHammer it in quickly
• BInsert it with slow rotation until it reaches the bottom of the hole, then leave it undis…
• CTwist it back and forth for several minutes
• DInsert it without any rotation

The 'gel time' of an adhesive anchor product is defined as:

• AThe maximum time the adhesive can be stored in the cartridge
• BThe working time during which the installer can still insert the anchor before the adhesi…
• CThe total time required for full load capacity
• DThe time to complete a hole cleaning

How does an increase in base material (concrete) temperature typically affect gel time and full cure time for adhesive anchors?

• ABoth gel time and cure time become longer
• BBoth gel time and cure time become shorter
• CGel time becomes longer, cure time becomes shorter
• DGel time becomes shorter, cure time becomes longer

An adhesive anchor MPII lists a minimum concrete temperature of 23°F (-5°C). On a winter day, the concrete substrate temperature is measured at 18°F (-8°C). The correct installer action is:

• AInstall anyway, the air temperature is warmer
• BUse a heat gun on the cartridge and proceed
• CStop installation until the concrete temperature reaches the MPII minimum
• DUse twice the specified cure time

A certified ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer may supervise uncertified workers performing adhesive anchor installations. The supervision requirement is that:

• AThe certified installer must occasionally check on the work by phone
• BThe certified installer must be continuously present and directly observing the work
• CUncertified workers are never allowed near adhesive anchors
• DAny journeyman can substitute for the certified installer

How long is the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification valid once earned?

• A1 year
• B3 years
• C5 years
• DLifetime

The ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer written examination consists of approximately how many multiple-choice questions and what is the time limit?

• A50 questions in 60 minutes
• B75 questions in 90 minutes
• C100 questions in 120 minutes
• D150 questions in 180 minutes

The minimum passing score on the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer written exam is:

• A60%
• B70%
• C74%
• D90%

Which combination of components makes up a typical cartridge-based adhesive anchor system?

• ACartridge, dispenser (caulking gun), static mixing nozzle, hole-cleaning tools, and ancho…
• BCartridge and anchor only
• CTwo-part tube and plastic sleeve
• DPowder and water

An installer finds an adhesive cartridge with a shelf-life expiration date that has passed. The correct action is to:

• AUse it first to avoid waste
• BWarm it to reactivate the chemistry
• CRemove it from service and do not use it
• DMix it with a fresh cartridge

When installing adhesive anchors in a wet (water-saturated) concrete hole, the installer must:

• AProceed with the standard adhesive used for dry concrete
• BDry the hole with heat, or use an adhesive and procedure specifically qualified for wet h…
• CAdd more adhesive to compensate
• DSkip the brushing step

According to ACI 318 Chapter 17 and ACI 355.4, an adhesive anchor installation method (for example, diamond core drilling) is acceptable only if:

• AThe installer has used it on a previous job
• BIt is explicitly approved in the product's MPII/ESR for that installation
• CIt is faster than hammer drilling
• DThe general contractor approves it

The anchor element (threaded rod or rebar) used in an adhesive anchor installation must be:

• AAny available rod of approximately correct diameter
• BCleaned of dust, oil, and loose rust and conform to the grade specified in the MPII and p…
• CLightly oiled to ease insertion
• DPainted to prevent corrosion

Per the MPII, a hammer-drilled adhesive anchor hole must be drilled to a depth that is:

• AExactly equal to the anchor embedment
• BEqual to the required embedment (hef) plus any additional depth the MPII specifies for th…
• CSignificantly deeper than needed so excess adhesive can be stored
• DHalf the required embedment

The required hole diameter for an adhesive anchor is specified by the MPII as a function of the anchor element diameter. If the installer uses a drill bit that is too large:

• ACapacity is increased
• BThe adhesive annulus is too thick and bond capacity is reduced
• CNo effect — only too-small is a problem
• DThe anchor will still perform as tested

An ACI-certified Adhesive Anchor Installer observes that specified anchor spacing on a project drawing appears smaller than the minimum allowed by the product MPII. What should the installer do?

• AInstall the anchors as drawn
• BInstall closer spacing because it provides extra strength
• CStop and notify the project engineer or special inspector before proceeding
• DDrill deeper to compensate

For overhead adhesive anchors in sustained tension, which additional step may be required by the design documents beyond the standard installation procedure?

• APull-off proof-load testing of a sample of installed anchors
• BPainting the anchors after installation
• CAdding a second layer of adhesive
• DIncreasing the hole diameter

During the ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer Performance Exam Part 2 (overhead), the examinee typically injects adhesive into:

• AA solid concrete block
• BClear plastic tubes oriented overhead using the piston plug method
• CA bucket of water
• DAn empty cartridge

ACI 355.4 testing of adhesive anchors includes a critical condition evaluation in which the product must show acceptable performance under:

• APerfect installation only
• BAdverse installation and service conditions, including reduced cleaning
• CDry conditions only
• DIndoor conditions only

ACI 503.5R and related ACI 503 documents are BEST described as:

• AACI building code sections
• BGuides for use of adhesives with concrete, including repair and bonding
• CState-level installer licensing rules
• DStandards for formwork

A Category 1 adhesive anchor under ACI 355.4 is one that shows:

• AThe highest sensitivity to installation conditions
• BThe lowest sensitivity to installation and in-service conditions
• CApproval only for dry holes
• DApproval only for rebar, not threaded rod

The ACI Adhesive Anchor Installer certification is REQUIRED for installers on a project when the adhesive anchors:

• AResist sustained tension in horizontal or upwardly inclined orientations
• BAre used only as shear connectors in slabs
• CAre temporary fixtures removed within 24 hours
• DAre installed only in precast members

Why does ACI 318 restrict the use of adhesive anchors in applications exposed to fire, such as non-insulated attachment to structural steel in a plenum?

• AAdhesive anchors are cheaper than mechanical anchors
• BPolymer adhesives lose strength rapidly at elevated temperatures
• CAdhesive anchors corrode in heat
• DFire exposure hardens the anchors

When a certified installer encounters standing water in a hole that has already been drilled, the FIRST step is to:

• AIgnore it and inject adhesive
• BConfirm the product is approved for water-filled conditions; if not, stop and consult the…
• CDump in a handful of dry sand
• DReduce the cure time

For adhesive anchors in sustained-tension overhead applications, ACI 318 Chapter 17 limits the design sustained tension to approximately what fraction of the design bond strength?

• A1.0 (full design strength)
• B0.85
• C0.55
• D0.25

The certified installer's responsibility regarding the inspection log or installation record on a project is to:

• AWrite nothing; that is the inspector's job
• BDocument each anchor's installation date, product lot, cartridge expiration, hole depth,…
• CSign the log only at the end of the project
• DComplete the log from memory after work is done

IBC Chapter 17 (Special Inspections and Tests) requires that adhesive anchors installed in horizontal and upwardly inclined orientations for sustained tension receive:

• ANo special inspection
• BPeriodic special inspection
• CContinuous special inspection
• DInspection only by the installer

Hilti HIT-HY 200, Hilti HIT-RE 500 V3, Simpson SET-XP, Powers AC100+ Gold, and Red Head A7+ are examples of:

• APortland cement brands
• BCommonly specified adhesive anchor products covered by ICC-ES Evaluation Service Reports
• CStatic mixer nozzles
• DRebar couplers

When an adhesive anchor fails to reach the bottom of the hole during insertion because the adhesive has already started to gel, the installer should:

• AHammer it in the rest of the way
• BLeave the partial insertion; it may still hold
• CRemove the anchor, clean out the hole, and start over with a fresh charge
• DDrill a new hole next to it

During the gel and early cure period, the installed anchor must:

• ABe loaded immediately to test the bond
• BNot be disturbed, torqued, or loaded until the full cure time has elapsed
• CBe rotated periodically
• DBe doused with water

The design term 'hef' (effective embedment) in ACI 318 Chapter 17 refers to:

• AThe length of threaded rod visible above the concrete surface
• BThe depth to which the anchor is effectively bonded into the concrete
• CThe diameter of the anchor
• DThe total length of the rod

What is the role of the piston plug in overhead adhesive anchor installation?

• AIt pushes the hole cleaner deeper
• BIt seals the mouth of the hole around the nozzle and forces adhesive to fill the hole fro…
• CIt substitutes for the static mixer
• DIt replaces the anchor element

Which of the following is a common cause of adhesive anchor failure that hole cleaning is specifically designed to prevent?

• AConcrete spalling at the surface
• BA dust film on the hole wall that prevents adhesive-to-concrete bond
• COver-torquing at the nut
• DWind loading

An installer notices that a hole drilled in diamond-cored concrete has a smoother, glazed wall than a hammer-drilled hole. The impact on adhesive bonding is that:

• AIt is irrelevant
• BThe smoother wall can reduce mechanical interlock; the product must be specifically appro…
• CIt always increases bond strength
• DAdhesive bonds better to smooth surfaces

When blowing out a hole with compressed air, the nozzle should reach:

• AOnly the mouth of the hole
• BThe midpoint of the hole
• CThe bottom of the hole
• DPast the back of the hole and into the concrete