ICRI Concrete Surface Repair Technician — Grade 1 (CSRT)

Which three conditions must all be present for alkali-silica reaction (ASR) to cause expansion and cracking in concrete?

• AReactive silica aggregate, sufficient alkalis, and sufficient moisture
• BChlorides, oxygen, and reinforcement
• CSulfates, calcium hydroxide, and freezing temperatures
• DCarbon dioxide, low cover, and high humidity

What is the approximate critical saturation level above which concrete becomes vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage?

• AAbout 50% of pore space filled with water
• BAbout 70% of pore space filled with water
• CAbout 91% of pore space filled with water
• DAbout 99% of pore space filled with water

Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which carbonation leads to reinforcement corrosion?

• ACarbonic acid dissolves the cement paste, exposing steel directly
• BCO2 reacts with calcium hydroxide, lowering pore pH and depassivating the steel
• CCarbonation generates expansive products that crack the cover concrete
• DCarbonation introduces chloride ions that attack the steel

Which expansive reaction product is generated by classical external sulfate attack on portland cement paste?

• AEttringite and gypsum
• BCalcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H)
• CCalcium aluminoferrite
• DMagnesium oxychloride

What is the typical volume ratio of corrosion products (rust) to the original steel they replaced?

• AEqual to the original steel volume
• BAbout half the original volume
• CBetween 2 and 6 times the original volume
• DMore than 20 times the original volume

Which non-destructive method is most commonly used to detect subsurface delamination in concrete slabs and decks?

• ASounding by chain drag or hammer
• BSchmidt rebound hammer per ASTM C805
• CUltrasonic pulse velocity per ASTM C597
• DCompressive strength testing on cores

Which of the following is the most common environmental source of chlorides that initiate corrosion of reinforcement in highway and parking-structure concrete?

• AAtmospheric CO2
• BDeicing salts and marine spray
• CSulfate-rich groundwater
• DAcid rain

Which crack pattern is most characteristic of advanced alkali-silica reaction in unrestrained concrete?

• AParallel cracks aligned with the principal stress
• BMap cracking or pattern cracking on the surface
• CSingle wide cracks along the line of reinforcement
• DDiagonal shear cracks near supports

Why is air entrainment specified for concrete exposed to repeated freezing and thawing?

• AAir voids reduce permeability and prevent water ingress
• BAir voids provide pressure-relief reservoirs for freezing pore water
• CAir voids increase compressive strength at low temperatures
• DAir voids release heat that prevents pore water from freezing

Delayed ettringite formation (DEF) is most likely to occur in concrete that experienced which condition during placement?

• AVery low water-cement ratio
• BAir-entrained mix with high cement content
• CEarly-age internal temperatures above about 70°C (158°F)
• DSubzero ambient temperatures during curing

A bridge deck shows fine map cracking and a dark wet halo around several aggregate particles. Which deterioration mechanism is most likely indicated?

• ACarbonation-induced corrosion
• BAlkali-silica reaction
• CExternal sulfate attack
• DPlastic shrinkage cracking

What is the primary purpose of cathodic protection systems on existing chloride-contaminated reinforced concrete?

• ATo remove chlorides from the concrete
• BTo raise the pH of the surrounding concrete
• CTo make the rebar the cathode so corrosion cannot proceed
• DTo restore lost cover concrete

Which test method is most commonly specified to estimate the probability that reinforcement is actively corroding?

• AASTM C876 half-cell potential survey
• BASTM C805 rebound hammer
• CASTM C42 core compressive strength
• DASTM C39 cylinder compressive strength

Which of the following is the primary defense against corrosion of reinforcement in new concrete?

• ASurface sealers applied after curing
• BLow water-cement ratio and adequate cover
• CHigher cement content alone
• DIncreased rebar diameter

When two deterioration mechanisms act simultaneously, such as freeze-thaw plus chloride-induced corrosion, how does the combined damage typically compare to either mechanism acting alone?

• ACombined damage is roughly equal to one mechanism alone
• BCombined damage is usually less than either mechanism alone
• CCombined damage is generally more severe than either mechanism alone
• DThe two mechanisms cancel each other

Plastic shrinkage cracks most commonly appear in concrete when which condition occurs?

• AInternal temperatures stay below 10°C (50°F) for the first 24 hours
• BSurface evaporation exceeds bleed-water rise, before final set
• CCuring compounds are applied immediately after finishing
• DAir entrainment exceeds 6%

Which deterioration form is most often described as a localized loss of cover concrete that exposes the underlying reinforcement?

• AScaling
• BMap cracking
• CSpalling
• DBleeding

Which sampling method is most appropriate when an inspector needs to determine actual in-place compressive strength of an existing structure prior to repair?

• AASTM C39 cylinders from the original placement record
• BASTM C42 drilled cores
• CASTM C805 rebound hammer alone
• DASTM C803 penetration resistance alone

Per ACI CODE-562, who is required to be responsible for the design and specification of structural concrete repair work?

• AThe concrete repair contractor
• BThe licensed design professional
• CThe building official
• DThe concrete supplier

ACI 562 introduces the concept of a 'design basis code.' What does that term refer to?

• AThe repair contract specification document
• BThe version of ACI 318 (or other governing code) that the repair design must comply with
• CThe ICRI guideline used to select repair materials
• DThe ASTM standard used to evaluate cores

Which of the following is NOT one of the major activities ACI 562 requires for a structural concrete repair project?

• AAssessment of the existing structure
• BDesign of the repair
• CQuality assurance during repair execution
• DPermitting of new construction unrelated to the repair

ACI 562 can supplement which broader code when used for existing buildings?

• AThe International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• BThe International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• CThe National Electrical Code (NEC)
• DThe International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Per ACI 562, what must occur before structural concrete repair design begins?

• AAn assessment of the existing condition of the structure
• BRemoval of all visibly damaged concrete
• CPlacement of formwork at the repair zone
• DSelection of a sacrificial cathodic protection system

Under ACI 562, what is the most appropriate method to establish the in-situ compressive strength of structural concrete in an existing building when original test records are missing?

• ARebound hammer survey only
• BDrilled cores tested per ASTM C42 with statistical evaluation
• CPenetration probe results from a single location
• DVisual inspection of formed surfaces

Per ACI 562, repairs must be designed to satisfy which two principal performance criteria?

• AAesthetics and cost
• BStrength and durability
• CSpeed of installation and ease of access
• DColor matching and surface finish

Under ACI 562, who is required to address stability and shoring during repair construction?

• AThe contractor only, after work begins
• BThe licensed design professional, as part of the repair design
• CThe owner, in the building lease
• DThe local building inspector

ACI 562 requires inspection and testing of repairs during construction. Which document typically defines what inspections are required on a given project?

• AThe contractor's daily logs
• BThe repair construction documents prepared by the LDP
• CThe concrete supplier's batch tickets
• DThe owner's facility maintenance manual

Why does ACI 562 require evaluation of existing reinforcement before repair design is finalized?

• ATo confirm color and architectural appearance of the bars
• BTo establish actual bar size, location, and condition for capacity calculations
• COnly to verify epoxy coating thickness
• DReinforcement evaluation is not required under ACI 562

When existing concrete is replaced with repair concrete under ACI 562, what general durability principle must the LDP follow regarding new materials?

• ANew materials only need to meet aesthetic compatibility
• BNew materials must equal or exceed the durability requirements of the original design env…
• CNew materials must always match the original mix design exactly
• DDurability is the contractor's selection responsibility, not the LDP's

ACI 562 acknowledges that some repairs are non-structural. Which of the following is a typical non-structural repair?

• AReplacing a heavily corroded column tie cage
• BRestoring spalled cover that did not lose any reinforcement section
• CStrengthening a beam to add load capacity
• DReplacing a damaged shear wall segment

Per ACI 562, when the cause of deterioration is still active at the time of repair, the LDP must do which of the following?

• AIgnore the cause and address only visible damage
• BSpecify measures to mitigate or eliminate the underlying cause as part of the repair
• CSpecify only aesthetic patching
• DDelay the repair indefinitely

Under ACI 562, post-repair inspection of finished work is intended primarily to verify what?

• AThat the contractor met the construction documents and the repair achieves the specified…
• BOnly the color of the surface finish
• COnly the timeliness of completion
• DOnly the location of the dumpster

ACI 562 requires that quality assurance documentation be retained. Who is typically responsible for assembling that record set?

• AThe dumpster service
• BThe licensed design professional or owner's representative, with inspector input
• COnly the rebar supplier
• DOnly the formwork subcontractor

ACI 562 covers existing concrete structures generally. Which of the following is outside its scope?

• ARepair of an existing reinforced concrete column
• BRehabilitation of an existing post-tensioned slab
• COriginal design of a new concrete bridge deck on a new bridge
• DStrengthening of a damaged shear wall

How many distinct concrete surface profiles (CSPs) are defined in the current ICRI surface preparation guideline?

• A5 profiles, CSP 1 through CSP 5
• B7 profiles, CSP 1 through CSP 7
• C10 profiles, CSP 1 through CSP 10
• D12 profiles, CSP 1 through CSP 12

Which surface preparation method typically produces a CSP 3 profile?

• AAcid etching
• BLight shotblasting
• CHydrodemolition
• DHeavy scarification

What CSP range is typically produced by hydrodemolition surface preparation?

• ACSP 1 to CSP 2
• BCSP 3 to CSP 4
• CCSP 5 to CSP 6
• DCSP 8 to CSP 10

An ICRI CSP chip set is used for which purpose?

• ATo measure concrete compressive strength
• BAs a visual reference standard for verifying surface profile
• CAs an aggregate gradation test
• DAs a slump cone replacement

Which surface preparation method is most likely to cause microcracking (bruising) in the substrate concrete?

• AHand wire brushing
• BAcid etching
• CMechanical impact tools such as needle scalers, scabblers, and chipping hammers
• DVacuum dust removal

Which surface preparation method is generally classified as a 'chemical' method under ICRI 310.2R?

• AShotblasting
• BAcid etching
• CScarifying
• DGrinding

Why is selective material removal a major advantage of hydrodemolition over chipping hammers?

• AHydrodemolition is always cheaper than chipping
• BHydrodemolition removes only deteriorated concrete and leaves sound concrete intact
• CHydrodemolition produces no dust
• DHydrodemolition does not require any water

Which ICRI guideline number specifically addresses preparation of concrete surfaces using hydrodemolition methods?

• AICRI 310.1R
• BICRI 310.2R
• CICRI 310.3R
• DICRI 320.2R

What is the typical purpose of saw-cutting the perimeter of a repair area to a specified depth before chipping out damaged concrete?

• ATo match the color of the repair material
• BTo create a defined edge that prevents feathered, thin repair edges
• CTo increase the surface temperature of the substrate
• DTo reduce the cost of the repair

When chipping out concrete around heavily corroded reinforcement, how much sound concrete behind the bar is typically required before placing repair material?

• ANo clearance is needed; chip flush with the bar
• BApproximately 0.75 in. (19 mm) or one bar diameter behind the bar, to allow full encapsul…
• C10 ft (3 m) behind the bar
• DHalf of the wall thickness, regardless of bar size

Which residue must be removed from the substrate immediately before placing repair material?

• ALaitance, dust, debris, oil, and any standing water on horizontal surfaces (unless SSD is…
• BOnly loose chunks larger than 1 in.
• COnly color variations in the concrete
• DOnly the aggregate, leaving paste in place

What is 'laitance' in the context of concrete repair surface preparation?

• AA type of bonding agent applied between repair layers
• BA weak, dust-like layer of cement and fine particles at the surface of concrete
• CA high-strength polymer overlay
• DA self-leveling cementitious material

Which surface preparation method is generally most appropriate for preparing a horizontal slab to receive a thin polymer overlay (CSP 3-4)?

• AAcid etching
• BShotblasting
• CHand chipping with a 30-lb breaker
• DHydrodemolition