Maricopa Community Colleges  GTC134   19972-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
GTC134 19972-20086 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Soils and Aggregate Technician
Safety requirements and procedures. Reading plans, profiles, sections and survey symbols. Filling out sample tickets and completing sample logs. Performing calculations and inputting and recording data. Using random numbers tables and methods for obtaining, transporting and handling samples. Identifying different ways of classifying soils and engineering properties of soils. Performing specific test procedures. Determining reasonableness of results and comparing results to specifications.
Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
GTC134   19972-20086 Soils and Aggregate Technician
1. Explain the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM). (I)
2. Identify potential hazards on the job and describe specific steps to eliminate them. (II)
3. Demonstrate the ability to read plans, profiles and typical section sheets and survey symbols. (III)
4. Explain the concept of random sampling and how to obtain a random sample. (IV)
5. Demonstrate the use of a random numbers table. (V)
6. Describe specific procedures to obtain soil and aggregate samples. (VI)
7. Demonstrate how to properly fill out a sample ticket. (VII)
8. Describe safe and proper methods of transporting and handling samples. (VIII)
9. Demonstrate the proper procedure for filling out sample logs, and perform required calculations. (IX)
10. Describe the purpose of Linear Control Charts and Summary Charts. (X)
11. Identify and explain specific soil classifications. (XI)
12. Describe engineering properties of soils and aggregates. (XII)
13. Perform specific test procedures with minimal reference to written aids. (XIII)
14. Determine reasonableness of results and compare results to specifications. (XIV)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
GTC134   19972-20086 Soils and Aggregate Technician
    I. OSHA, MSDS, and HAZCOMM
        A. OSHA regulations
        B. MSDS requirements
          1. Labels
          2. Data sheets
        C. Hazard communication standards
          1. Information requirements
          2. Training requirements
        D. Impact on soil and aggregate testing
      II. Safety
          A. Safety in the field
            1. Housekeeping
            2. Trenches/excavations
            3. Safety barriers
            4. Protective gear
            5. Heavy equipment
            6. Traffic
            7. Drugs and alcohol
            8. Other
          B. Safety in the laboratory
            1. Housekeeping
            2. Chemical spills
            3. Burns and cuts
            4. Equipment and clothing
            5. Drugs and alcohol
            6. Disposal of chemicals
            7. Volatile materials
            8. Emergency equipment
            9. Nuclear gages
            10. Record keeping and reporting
            11. Other
        III. Plans and Sections
            A. Plans layout
              1. Centerline
              2. Station numbers
              3. Structure locations
              4. Pipe locations
              5. Turnout locations
              6. Berms
              7. Toe of slope
              8. Right of way
              9. Top cuts
              10. Other
            B. Profile sheet
              1. Elevations
              2. Vertical geometries
              3. Existing groundline
              4. Cuts
              5. Fills
            C. Section sheet
              1. Cross sections
              2. Materials section
          IV. Random Sampling
              A. Definition
              B. Random number tables
              C. Computer generated random numbers
              D. Stratified random sampling
            V. Use of Random Numbers Table
                A. Random entry
                B. Obtain sets for longitudinal and transverse positions
                C. Perform calculations
                D. Determine locations
                E. Draw lot plot
              VI. Obtaining Samples - Soil and Aggregates
                  A. Sampling from stockpiles
                    1. Materials
                    2. Procedure
                  B. Sampling from bins - procedure
                  C. Sampling from cold feed belt - procedure
                  D. Sampling from windrows - procedure
                  E. Roadway samples in place
                  F. Reducing field samples to test size - procedure
                VII. Sample Tickets
                    A. Instruction - AZ 105a
                    B. Information
                      1. Project code
                      2. Type of material samples
                      3. Purpose of sample
                      4. Testing lab
                      5. Test number
                      6. Name of individual who took sample
                      7. Date and time sample was taken
                      8. Where sample was taken
                      9. Source of material (supplier)
                      10. Project number
                      11. Clarifying remarks
                    C. Distribution
                  VIII. Transporting and Handling Samples
                      A. Handling precautions
                      B. Transportation requirements
                    IX. Sample Logs
                        A. Sample numbers
                        B. Customer identification numbers
                        C. Date sample received
                        D. Test dates
                        E. Dates results issued
                      X. Control Charts
                          A. Types
                            1. Run (trend)
                            2. Statistical - means and ranges
                          B. Benefits
                            1. Discover problems early
                            2. Decrease inspection frequency
                            3. Basis for altering specification limits
                            4. Lasting record of sample quality
                        XI. Classification of Soils
                            A. United soil system - two letter designation
                              1. GW - gravel, well graded
                              2. SP - sand, poorly graded
                              3. MH - silt, high plasticity
                              4. CH - clay, high plasticity
                              5. OL - organic, low plasticity
                              6. PT - peat
                              7. Other combinations
                              8. Classification tests
                            B. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) system
                              1. Granular
                              2. Silt-clay
                          XII. Engineering Properties of Soils and Aggregates
                              A. Soils
                                1. Granular soils
                                2. Cohesive soils (fine grained)
                                3. Organic soils
                              B. Aggregates
                                1. Particle size
                                2. Gradation
                                3. Cleanliness
                              C. Compaction
                                1. Dry density
                                2. Compaction methods
                            XIII. Tests
                                A. Sieve analysis - AZ 201c
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Sample preparation
                                  5. Procedures
                                  6. Report
                                B. Maximum density and optimal moisture - AZ 225
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Sample preparation
                                  5. Procedure
                                  6. Calculations
                                C. Rock correction procedure for maximum density determination - AZ 227b
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Procedure
                                  4. Calculations
                                D. Plasticity index - AASHTO T 89 and T 90
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Equipment calibration
                                  5. Procedure
                                  6. Calculations
                                E. Gradation and percentage of crushed particles in cover materials or mineral aggregate fractured faces - AZ212
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Calculations
                                  5. Report
                                F. Determining PH and minimum resistivity of soils and aggregates - AZ 236a
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Equipment calibration
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Ph procedure
                                  7. Minimum resistivity
                                  8. Resistivity calculations
                                G. One point proctor moisture-density relationship using family of curves - AZ 232
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Procedure
                                  5. Calculations
                                H. Moisture content by calcium carbide methods speedy moisture tester - AASHTO T 217
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Procedure
                                  5. calculations
                                I. Total moisture content of aggregate by drying - AASHTO T 255
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Procedure
                                  5. Calculations
                                J. Laboratory determination of moisture content of soils - AASHTO T 265
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Sample
                                  5. Procedure
                                  6. Calculations
                                K. Flakiness index of aggregate - based on AZ 233b
                                  1. Flakiness
                                  2. Purpose
                                  3. Safety
                                  4. Materials
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Procedure
                                  7. Calculations
                                  8. Report
                                L. Particle shape and texture of fine aggregate using uncompacted void content - AZ 247
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Equipment calibration
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Procedure
                                  7. Calculations
                                M. Unit weight in aggregate - AASHTO T 19
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Equipment calibration
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Procedure selection
                                  7. Procedure
                                  8. Calculations
                                N. Field density by the sand cone method - AZ 230
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Background
                                  3. Safety
                                  4. Materials
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Procedure
                                  7. Calculations
                                O. Field density by volumeter - rubber balloon method - AZ 231a
                                  1. Objective
                                  2. Background
                                  3. Safety
                                  4. Materials
                                  5. Sample preparation
                                  6. Procedure
                                  7. Calculations
                                P. Plastic fines in graded aggregates and soils by use of the sand equivalent test - AASHTO T 176
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Sample preparation
                                  5. Procedure
                                  6. Calculations
                                Q. Field test and moisture content of soil and soil-aggregate mixtures by the nuclear method - AZ 235 DEMONSTRATION ONLY
                                  1. Purpose
                                  2. Safety
                                  3. Materials
                                  4. Gauge stability check
                                  5. Site preparation
                                  6. Procedure
                                  7. Calculations
                              XIV. Evaluation of Results and Comparison to Specifications
                                  A. Reasonableness
                                  B. Specifications
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