100+ Free ACI MFTT Practice Questions

ASTM C140/C140M Sampling and Testing of CMU

Sampling six units (three for compression and three for absorption), measuring overall dimensions and face shell/web thickness to 1/8 in., absorption reported as percent and lb/ft³, oven-dry density classification under ASTM C90, net area compressive strength, equivalent thickness for fire ratings, and moisture content normalized to absorption capacity.

ASTM C780 Mortar Field Evaluation

Preconstruction baseline vs construction-phase comparison, cone penetration apparatus and consistency, air content by pressure method, aggregate ratio by washing/separating sand, density (unit weight) of mortar, 2-in. cubes and 3 by 6 in. cylinders for compressive strength, initial site curing then lab moist curing, 7/28-day testing ages.

ASTM C1019 Grout Sampling and Testing

Absorbent CMU mold matching the project unit type and moisture state, lining inside surfaces with permeable paper, ~3 by 3 by 6 in. specimen with 2:1 aspect ratio, placing in two layers rodded with a 5/8 in. tamping rod, initial 24-48 hour site cure, transport, lab moist cure, compressive testing on measured area, and correction factors for off-aspect specimens.

ASTM C1314 Masonry Prism Compressive Strength

Prisms constructed with the same units, mortar type, joint thickness, and workmanship as the work; minimum two units; grouted or ungrouted to match the project; 48-hour minimum site protection; transport to lab; capping per ASTM C1552; height-to-thickness corrections for hp/tp between 1.3 and 5.0; verification of f′m under TMS 602 prism method.

ASTM C67/C67M Brick and Structural Clay Tile

Ten-unit lot sampling, 24-hour cold-water absorption, 5-hour boiling absorption, saturation coefficient calculation, Initial Rate of Absorption reported in g/min/30 in² of bed area, modulus of rupture, compressive strength, freeze-thaw, and efflorescence — all written-exam topics for MFTT.

Supplemental Tests: C109 Cubes, C143 Slump, C1064 Temperature

C109 mortar cube compressive testing on molded sides with controlled time-to-failure (20-80 sec); C143 grout slump filled in three layers rodded 25 times each, cone lifted in 5±2 seconds, full test completed in 2.5 minutes, slump measured to nearest 1/4 in.; C1064 temperature to ±1 °F (±0.5 °C), probe immersed 2 minutes with 3 in. of material in every direction, reported within 5 minutes.

TMS 402/602 Code and Specification References

Verification of f′m by unit-strength method (CMU strength + mortar type table) or prism-test method (C1314); ASTM C476 grout types (fine and coarse); typical slump range of 8 to 11 in. (203-279 mm); 5 ft 4 in. (1.63 m) low-lift maximum; reconsolidation requirements; cold-weather (below 40 °F) and hot-weather (above 90-100 °F) construction provisions.

Documentation and Reporting

Complete test reports with sample identification, location, date/time, weather conditions, mix data, ASTM standard reference, witnesses, specimen labels traceable to the sample, failure modes recorded for compression tests, and damaged-specimen documentation.

Safety, PPE, and Technician Scope

Hard hat, safety glasses (with side shields), hearing protection where required, hi-viz vest, impervious gloves and safety footwear; wet cement alkali burn hazard (pH 12-13) requiring prompt washing; technician sampling and testing scope vs mix design and acceptance decisions that belong to the engineer/architect.