C50 – Reinforcing Steel Contractor

A reinforcing steel contractor fabricates, places and ties steel mesh or steel reinforcing bars (rods), of any profile, perimeter, or cross-section, that are or may be used to reinforce concrete structures.

The Reinforcing Steel (C-50) Examination is divided into four major sections. These sections are:

1. Detailing and Fabrication (27%)

• Job requirements
• Plans and specifications
• Types and grades of reinforcing steel
• Preparing shop drawings
• Preparing cut sheets
• Fabricating reinforcing steel

2. Placing Reinforcing Steel (31%)

• Layout and templates
• Securing bar supports
• Placing and tying steel
• Lap splices and clearances

3. Placing and Stressing Post Tensioned Cables (26%)

• Layout and placement of tendons
• Placing support
• Tendon stressing procedures and equipment

4. Safety (16%)

• Handling reinforcing steel
• Fall protection
• Equipment handling

*Percentages are approximate*

The following questions are typical of the types of items that are on the examination. The correct answer is highlighted.

1. Where is the greatest bending force of the earth on a cantilever retaining wall?

a.      At the top of the wall

b.       Halfway down the wall

c.       Two-thirds of the way down the wall

d.       At the bottom of the wall

2. Which of the following items is used to reinforce concrete slabs on grade of 4” or less?

a.       Slab bolsters

b.       High chairs

c.       Welded wire mesh

d.       Multi-strand tendons

3. Under whose observation must post tensioning stressing operations occur?

a.       The design architect

b.       The engineer of record

c.       The prime contractors

d.      The certified special inspector

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

Cal/OSHA State of California 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.
(800) 873-6397
FAX: (714) 535-8078
INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov or www.bni-books.com

Post-Tensioning Manual.

Post-Tensioning Institute,
8601 N. Black Canyon Highway, Suite 103,
Phoenix, AZ 85021.
(602) 870-7540
FAX: (602) 870-7541
INTERNET: www.post-tensioning.org and go to "Publication Store."

California Building Code.

International Conference of Building Officials Headquarters,
5360 Workman Mill Road,
Whittier, CA 90601-2298.
(800) 284-4406
FAX: (888) 329-4226
INTERNET: www.iccsafe.org

Manual of Standard Practice.

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Distribution Center.
P.O. Box 1616,
Allpharetta, GA 30009-1616.
(800) 465-2774
FAX: (770) 442-9742
INTERNET: www.crsi.organd go to "View Catalog Items."