Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Exam

Structural fill placed under a light commercial slab must be compacted to 95 percent of its maximum dry density. Which laboratory test establishes that maximum dry density?

• AStandard Proctor compaction test (ASTM D698)
• BConcrete slump test (ASTM C143)
• CAtterberg limits test (ASTM D4318)
• DSieve analysis for particle size (ASTM D6913)

A load-bearing wall carries 3,000 pounds per linear foot on undisturbed clay soil with a presumptive load-bearing value of 1,500 psf. What is the minimum required footing width to safely distribute the load?

• A24 inches
• B12 inches
• C18 inches
• D36 inches

Georgia's state minimum standard residential code, based on the 2018 IRC with state amendments, establishes what minimum foundation depth since the state has no defined frost line?

• A12 inches
• B6 inches
• C18 inches
• D30 inches

According to the 2018 IRC presumptive load-bearing values, which soil type has the lowest capacity for supporting foundation loads?

• AClay, sandy clay, silty clay, clayey silt at 1,500 psf
• BSand, silty sand, clayey sand at 2,000 psf
• CSandy gravel or gravel at 3,000 psf
• DSedimentary rock at 4,000 psf

Per the 2018 IRC, what is the minimum thickness for a spread footing?

• A6 inches
• B4 inches
• C8 inches
• D12 inches

Per the 2018 IRC, a wood sill plate on a concrete foundation must be anchored with 1/2-inch-diameter anchor bolts. What is the minimum embedment into the concrete and the maximum bolt spacing?

• A7 inches embedment, 6 feet on center
• B4 inches embedment, 4 feet on center
• C7 inches embedment, 8 feet on center
• D10 inches embedment, 6 feet on center

The 2018 IRC permits the bottom of a footing to have a slope not exceeding what maximum ratio?

• A10 percent
• B5 percent
• C2 percent
• D15 percent

What is the primary purpose of a foundation drainage system installed around the perimeter of a basement or crawlspace wall?

• ATo collect and redirect subsurface water away from the foundation
• BTo provide a pathway for utility conduits
• CTo ventilate the crawlspace
• DTo prevent frost heave under the footing

A contractor discovers that the existing soil at a building site has been filled within the last two years. According to the 2018 IRC, what must be done before placing footings on this soil?

• AThe fill must be tested, compacted, and certified by a registered design professional
• BNothing special is required if the fill has been in place more than one year
• CThe fill must be removed and replaced with concrete
• DFootings must extend to a depth of 48 inches regardless of frost line

When concrete is placed directly against earth without formwork, what minimum concrete cover must be provided over reinforcing bars according to ACI 318?

• A3 inches
• B1.5 inches
• C2 inches
• D1 inch

For a concrete wall with #4 reinforcing bars exposed to weather but not cast against earth, what minimum concrete cover does ACI 318 require?

• A1.5 inches
• B3 inches
• C2 inches
• D0.75 inches

A contractor is pouring a concrete slab measuring 27 feet by 30 feet at a thickness of 4 inches. How many cubic yards of concrete are required?

• A10 cubic yards
• B9 cubic yards
• C12 cubic yards
• D8 cubic yards

What is the primary purpose of requiring minimum concrete cover over reinforcing steel?

• ATo protect the steel from corrosion and provide fire resistance
• BTo increase the compressive strength of the concrete
• CTo reduce the weight of the concrete element
• DTo improve the workability of the concrete mix

According to ACI cold weather concreting guidelines, freshly placed concrete should be maintained at or above what minimum temperature during the initial curing period?

• A50 degrees F
• B32 degrees F
• C40 degrees F
• D70 degrees F

A concrete slump test is performed on a delivery of foundation concrete. The result indicates a slump of 6 inches. What does this tell the contractor?

• AThe mix has high water content and may have reduced strength
• BThe mix is too dry and needs more water
• CThe mix meets the typical specification for foundation walls
• DThe slump result is irrelevant to concrete quality

A commercial sidewalk slab measures 27 feet by 40 feet and will be poured 6 inches thick. Including a 5 percent waste allowance, how many cubic yards of concrete should the contractor order?

• A21 cubic yards
• B20 cubic yards
• C22 cubic yards
• D19 cubic yards

When placing concrete in hot weather, which of the following measures is most effective in reducing the risk of rapid evaporation and plastic shrinkage cracking?

• AUse evaporation retarders, fog spraying, and windbreaks to limit surface moisture loss
• BAdd extra water to the mix to compensate for evaporation
• CPour only at midday when the temperature is highest
• DUse larger aggregate to reduce the cement paste volume

Adding water to a concrete mix at the job site beyond the approved mix design will have what effect?

• AIt increases the water-cement ratio and reduces the compressive strength
• BIt increases the compressive strength and improves durability
• CIt has no measurable effect on concrete quality
• DIt accelerates the curing process beneficially

Steel Joist Institute K-Series open web steel joists are manufactured in depths ranging from 10 to 30 inches. What is the maximum clear span for a K-Series joist?

• A60 feet
• B48 feet
• C96 feet
• D30 feet

Using the SJI maximum recommended span-to-depth ratio of 24, what is the approximate maximum economical span for a 24-inch deep K-Series steel joist?

• A48 feet
• B24 feet
• C60 feet
• D36 feet

The most common steel roof deck profile used in commercial construction, per SDI standards, is a 1.5-inch deep profile with what panel coverage width?

• A36 inches
• B24 inches
• C32 inches
• D48 inches

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.757, each end of a K-Series steel joist must be attached to the support structure with a minimum of what connection?

• ATwo 1/8-inch fillet welds 1 inch long, or two 1/2-inch bolts
• BTwo 1/4-inch fillet welds 2 inches long, or two 3/4-inch bolts
• CFour 1/8-inch fillet welds 1 inch long
• DOne 1/4-inch fillet weld 3 inches long

Per SDI standards, the maximum permissible deflection for steel deck used as a form for concrete slabs under the weight of fresh concrete and deck is:

• AL/180, not to exceed 3/4 inch
• BL/360, not to exceed 1/2 inch
• CL/240, not to exceed 1 inch
• DL/120, not to exceed 1 inch

What distinguishes SJI LH-Series steel joists from K-Series joists?

• ALH-Series joists are available in greater depths and can span longer distances
• BLH-Series joists are lighter gauge and used only for residential roofs
• CLH-Series joists are designed for axial column loading
• DLH-Series joists do not require bridging

In masonry construction using ASTM C270 mortar types, which mortar type provides the highest compressive strength?

• AType M
• BType N
• CType S
• DType O

A standard hollow concrete masonry unit (CMU) has nominal dimensions of 8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches. What are the actual dimensions?

• A7-5/8 inches by 7-5/8 inches by 15-5/8 inches
• B8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches
• C7-1/2 inches by 7-1/2 inches by 15-1/2 inches
• D8-3/8 inches by 8-3/8 inches by 16-3/8 inches

What is the standard mortar joint thickness for masonry construction?

• A3/8 inch
• B1/2 inch
• C1/4 inch
• D5/8 inch

In reinforced masonry construction, horizontal joint reinforcement is typically installed at what vertical spacing to control shrinkage cracking?

• AEvery 16 inches (every other course for standard 8-inch CMU)
• BEvery 8 inches (every course)
• CEvery 32 inches (every fourth course)
• DEvery 48 inches (every sixth course)

In a masonry cavity wall, where must through-wall flashing be installed?

• AAt the base of the wall, above openings, and at other points where moisture could enter
• BOnly at the top of the wall
• COnly at the foundation level
• DFlashing is not required in cavity wall construction

When constructing masonry in cold weather (below 40 degrees F), what protective measure is required?

• AMaintain masonry units and mortar above freezing and protect completed work with insulati…
• BHeat the mortar to 150 degrees F before use
• CUse only Type O mortar in cold weather
• DNo special protection is needed until temperatures drop below 20 degrees F

What is the purpose of grout in reinforced masonry construction?

• ATo bond the masonry units and steel reinforcement together into a composite structural el…
• BTo provide a decorative finish to the wall surface
• CTo waterproof the interior of the masonry wall
• DTo increase the thermal insulation value of the wall

In conventional wood light-frame construction, what is the standard spacing for wall studs in residential and light commercial buildings?

• A16 inches on center
• B12 inches on center
• C24 inches on center
• D32 inches on center

A wood sill plate will bear directly on a concrete foundation wall that is exposed to the weather. Under the code provisions for protection against decay, what is required of that plate?

• AIt must be naturally durable wood or preservative-treated wood
• BIt must be kiln-dried lumber with a moisture content of 19 percent or less
• CIt must be fire-retardant-treated wood
• DNo special treatment is required once the concrete has cured for 28 days

A common rafter runs from the top plate to the ridge on a building 32 feet wide with a 6:12 roof pitch. Ignoring overhang and ridge thickness, what is the approximate line length of one common rafter?

• A17 feet 11 inches
• B16 feet 0 inches
• C17 feet 4 inches
• D24 feet 0 inches

Within a single flight of stairs, the 2018 IRC limits the variation between the greatest and smallest riser heights to what maximum tolerance?

• A3/8 inch
• B1/4 inch
• C1/2 inch
• D1/8 inch

A 2x4 piece of dimensional lumber has actual cross-sectional dimensions of approximately:

• A1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches
• B2 inches by 4 inches
• C1-3/4 inches by 3-3/4 inches
• D1-1/2 inches by 3-1/4 inches

Per the 2018 IRC, what is the minimum number of risers in a stairway that triggers the requirement for a handrail?

• A4 risers
• B3 risers
• C5 risers
• D6 risers

What is the minimum stairway width required by the 2018 IRC, measured at and above the handrail height?

• A36 inches
• B32 inches
• C42 inches
• D48 inches

A contractor needs 30 pieces of 2x10 dimensional lumber, each 16 feet long. If lumber is priced at $1.85 per board foot, what is the total cost?

• A$1,480
• B$888
• C$1,600
• D$960

What do the numbers in a plywood span rating such as 32/16 indicate?

• AThe first number is the maximum roof span in inches; the second is the maximum subfloor s…
• BThe first number is the panel thickness; the second is the number of plies
• CThe first number is the maximum wall stud spacing; the second is the maximum rafter spaci…
• DThe first number is the panel weight; the second is the bending strength

For wood structural panel wall sheathing attached to framing, what is the typical nail spacing requirement along panel edges and in the field?

• A6 inches on center at edges, 12 inches on center in the field
• B4 inches on center at edges, 8 inches on center in the field
• C12 inches on center at edges, 12 inches on center in the field
• D3 inches on center at edges, 6 inches on center in the field

Per the 2018 IRC, what is the minimum bearing length required for a wood floor joist bearing on wood or metal supports?

• A1-1/2 inches
• B3 inches
• C2 inches
• D4 inches

A stairway in the means of egress of a light commercial tenant space serves a Group B occupancy. Under the 2018 IBC, on how many sides must handrails be provided?

• ABoth sides of the stairway
• BOne side only, the same as a dwelling stair
• COne side only, provided the stair is less than 44 inches wide
• DOnly where the flight has six or more risers

A straight residential stairway has a total vertical rise of 100 inches with 13 risers. If each tread has the minimum IRC depth of 10 inches, what is the total horizontal run?

• A120 inches (10 feet)
• B130 inches (10.83 feet)
• C100 inches (8.33 feet)
• D110 inches (9.17 feet)