C12 – Earthwork and Paving Contractors

An earthwork and paving contractor digs, moves, and places material forming the surface of the earth, other than water, in such a manner that a cut, fill, excavation, grade, trench, backfill, or tunnel (if incidental thereto) can be executed, including the use of explosives for these purposes. This classification includes the mixing, fabricating and placing of paving and any other surfacing materials.

The Earthwork and Paving (C-12) examination is divided into seven major sections. These sections are:

1. Estimating and Planning (15%)

• Plans and specifications
• Estimating earthwork
• Estimating A.C., P.C.C. pavements, and seal coats

2. Site Control (7%)

• Signage and traffic control
• Dust, noise, and erosion control

3. Earthwork (31%)

• Site layout and grade setting
• Utilities and other site obstacles
• Soil stability
• Subgrade preparation
• Trench excavation
• Recycling of materials

4. Paving (25%)

• Prep work for paving
• Asphaltic concrete paving
• Verification of mix design
• Portland cement concrete paving

5. Paving Maintenance (7%)

• Pavement preparation
• Pavement sealants

6. Associated Paving Activities (5%)

• Placement of risers and grade rings
• Installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and ramps
• Parking and traffic markings

7. Safety (10%)

• Personal safety
• Jobsite safety

*Percentages are approximate*

Sample Questions

1. What is the volume of a hole 120 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 6 feet deep?

a.      500 cubic yards

b.       800 cubic yards

c.       1,200 cubic yards

d.       1,300 cubic yards

2. What does the term "balanced dirt job" refer to?

a.       Thorough distribution of aggregate in the soil mix

b.      Level highway grade work without slopes or ditches

c.       No excess dirt in cut and fill work

d.       Proper compaction rate of the grade work

3. How many days does it take for standard portland cement concrete to reach maximum strength?

a.       7 days

b.       14 days

c.       21 days

d.       28 days

*All questions are written and reviewed by licensed contractors who are actively working in the field*

Excavation & Grading Handbook (Revised).

Nick Capachi, Craftsman Book Company,
6058 Corta del Cedro, Carlsbad, CA 92009.
Phone: (800) 829-8123
INTERNET: www.craftsman-book.com

ISBN -0934041-29-6

Moving the Earth - The Workbook of Excavation (4th edition).

Herbert Nichols, Jr. and David Day P.E.,
McGraw-Hill,
860 Taylor Station Road, Blacklick, OH 43004-0546.
Phone: (800) 262-4729
INTERNET: customer.service@mcgraw-hill.com

ISBN 0-07-046484-7

Standard Specifications (Caltrans Metric), July 1999.

Caltrans Publication Unit,
1900 Royal Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815-3800.
Phone: (916) 445-3520

INTERNET: www.caltrans-opac.ca.gov/publicat.htm

The Asphalt Handbook (1989 edition).

Manual Series No. 4 (MS-4).
Asphalt Institute,
2696 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511.
Phone: 1-859-288-4960

INTERNET: www.asphaltinstitute.org

Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders.

California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Industrial Relations, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4,
Barclays Law Publishers,
P.O. Box 95767, Chicago, IL 60694.
(800) 888-3600. FAX: (415) 732-8875.
OR Building News, Inc.
1612 S. Clementine Street, Anaheim, CA 92802.
(888) 264-2665.
INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll or www.bni-books.com