Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Alabama Concrete Contractor
Alabama · PSI Services Contractor
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
60
Passing score
70%
Exam time
150 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Alabama State Portion 60 questions
Estimating and Plan Reading
10 Q · 17%
Material quantity takeoff for concrete work (volume calculations for slabs, walls, footings)Estimating labor, equipment, and material costs for concrete projectsReading and interpreting construction plans and drawings (plan views, profiles, symbols, scales)Formwork planning, design selection, and cost estimationReinforcing bar placing drawings and bar listsConcrete mix design and proportioning specifications (w/cm ratio, air content, slump, strength requirements)Special inspections and testing requirements for concrete constructionBidding procedures, overhead, markup, and bonding requirements for contractors
Layout and Excavation
12 Q · 20%
Batter boards and string lines for building layoutReading and interpreting construction plans and survey stakesOSHA excavation safety requirements and protective systems (sloping, benching, shoring, shielding)Soil classification for excavation purposes (Type A, B, C)Excavation near existing foundations and underground utilitiesSite grading, drainage slopes, and surface preparationSoil compaction methods, Proctor testing, and density requirementsDealing with rock and groundwater in excavation
Formwork
8 Q · 13%
Lateral pressure of fresh concrete on vertical formsVertical loads on formwork (dead loads, live loads, and minimum design values)Design of slab, wall, beam, and column forms using allowable stress and deflection criteriaShoring and reshoring in multi-story constructionFormwork materials (lumber, plywood, engineered wood, steel, aluminum)Form removal requirements and concrete strength criteriaOSHA Subpart Q safety requirements for formworkFormwork for architectural concrete (surface quality, mockups, and tolerances)
Reinforcing Steel
8 Q · 13%
Types, grades, and ASTM specifications for reinforcing steel (A615, A706, A955, A1035)Bar identification markings and size designationsConcrete cover requirements for reinforcing steelDevelopment length and lap splice requirementsBar supports: types, placement, and spacingSplicing methods: lap, mechanical, and welded splicesFabrication tolerances and standard hook dimensionsInspection requirements for placed reinforcing steel
General Concrete
16 Q · 27%
Concrete mixture proportioning and water-cementitious materials ratioPortland cement types and supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, slag cement, silica fume)Concrete durability and exposure categories (freeze-thaw, sulfate, chloride, permeability)Aggregates for concrete (classification, grading, quality, moisture content)Chemical admixtures types and applicationsCuring methods, materials, and duration requirementsHot and cold weather concreting precautionsConcrete testing methods (fresh and hardened properties: slump, air content, compressive strength)
Safety
6 Q · 10%
Fall protection systems for concrete and reinforcing steel operations (Subpart M, 6-foot threshold, guardrails, personal fall arrest, safety nets)Concrete and masonry construction safety requirements (Subpart Q: formwork, reinforcing steel impalement guarding, concrete buckets, post-tensioning, pumping systems)Excavation safety: sloping, shoring, cave-in protection, and atmospheric testing (Subpart P)Personal protective equipment selection, use, and employer payment requirements (Subpart E)Fire protection and prevention on construction sites: extinguisher ratings, flammable liquid storage, fire prevention plans (Subpart F)Scaffolding requirements: capacity, platform construction, guardrails, and access (Subpart L)Confined space entry procedures, permit requirements, atmospheric hazards, and rescue (Subpart AA)Cranes and derricks: ground conditions, assembly/disassembly, operator qualifications, and power line clearances (Subpart CC)
Key Distinctions
Isolation jointvsContraction joint
Isolation joints separate a placement from walls, columns, footings and other restraint points and extend the full depth of the slab with a premolded filler, while contraction joints extend only to about one-quarter the concrete thickness.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 9 - Properties of Concrete, Page 184 (16th ed.: Page 282)Flash set (quick set)vsFalse set
Flash set occurs when the proper amount or form of calcium sulfate is unavailable to control C₃A hydration, causing rapid workability loss with considerable heat that cannot be dispelled by further mixing without adding water; false set comes from rapid crystallization of secondary gypsum when too much gypsum dehydrates to plaster during finish milling.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 2 - Portland, Blended, and Other Hydraulic Cements, Page 48 (16th ed.: Page 134)Silica fumevsFly ash / slag cement
Silica fume gives dramatic chloride-penetrability reductions within just 28 days (but raises water demand, often needing a water reducer), while fly ash and slag cement also reduce chloride penetration but develop those improvements more gradually over time.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 3 - Supplementary Cementitious Materials, Page 74 (16th ed.: Pages 161-162)Plan viewvsProfile view
The plan view is a bird's-eye overhead view showing the layout of the work area, while the profile view is a horizontal cut-away (cross-section) along the alignment showing elevations, grades and depths.
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 105, Chapter 3 introduction, plan view/profile view definitionsJoist bearing on wood or metalvsJoist bearing on masonry or concrete
Ends of joists, beams or girders need not less than 1½ inches of bearing on wood or metal, but 3 inches minimum bearing on masonry or concrete (Section R502.6).
IRC 2021 Section R502.6Foundation wall projection with masonry veneervsFoundation wall projection, all other conditions
Concrete and masonry foundation walls must extend above finished grade not less than 4 inches where masonry veneer is used, and not less than 6 inches elsewhere (Section R404.1.6).
IRC 2021 Section R404.1.6Table R502.3.1(1)vsTable R502.3.1(2)
Table R502.3.1(1) applies to sleeping areas and attics accessed by fixed stairway with live load not exceeding 30 psf (dead load ≤ 20 psf), while Table R502.3.1(2) applies to other living areas at 40 psf live load.
IRC 2021 Section R502.3.1Notch at the end of a solid lumber joistvsNotch elsewhere along the joist
End notches are limited to one-fourth the depth of the member, while notches in other locations are limited to one-sixth the depth (Section R502.8.1).
IRC 2021 Section R502.8.1Crawl space ventilation without ground covervsCrawl space ventilation with Class I vapor retarder
Standard under-floor ventilation is 1 square foot of net opening per 150 square feet of under-floor area, but IRC R408.2 Exception 1 permits reduction to 1/1,500 of the under-floor area where the ground is covered with an approved Class I vapor retarder.
IRC 2021 Section R408.2IBC 6-mil vapor retarder (slab on ground)vsIRC 10-mil vapor retarder (slab-on-ground floor)
IBC Section 1907.1 requires a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches between base course/subgrade and slab, while IRC Section R506.2.3 requires a minimum 10-mil retarder conforming to ASTM E1745 Class A.
IBC 2021 Section 1907.1Joists framing into the side of a wood girdervsJoists lapping over a bearing support
Joists framing into the side of a girder must be carried on approved framing anchors or ledger strips not less than nominal 2×2 (R502.6.2), while joists lapping from opposite sides over a bearing support must lap not less than 3 inches and be nailed with a minimum of three 10d face nails (R502.6.1).
IRC 2021 Section R502.6.2Directional drillingvsDirectional boring with a pneumatic mole
Directional drilling is practical for tunneling up to 2,200 feet with pipe 16 to 36 inches in diameter (suitable for a river crossing), while directional boring with a pneumatic mole typically handles pipe only up to 6 inches diameter for 50 to 150 feet.
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 176-177Danger sign usevsDanger sign colors
Danger signs are to be used only where an immediate hazard exists (§1926.200(b)(1)), and they must have red as the predominating color for the upper panel, black outline on the borders, and a white lower panel for additional wording (§1926.200(b)(2)).
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.200(b)(1)Key Terms
Competent person OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 31
Per 29 CFR 1926.32(f), one capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them (no specific degree, experience, or certificate required).
Qualified operator (equipment and machinery) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 29
Per §1926.20(b)(4), the employer shall permit only those employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment and machinery.
Fire alarm system (construction site) OSHA 1926.150(e)(1) and (e)(2)
Per §1926.150(e)(1), an employer-established alarm system (e.g., telephone system, siren) by which employees on site and the local fire department can be alerted for an emergency, with alarm code and reporting instructions conspicuously posted at phones and employee entrances.
Emergency action plan (10 or fewer employees) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(e)(3)
Per §1926.35(e)(3), for employers with 10 or fewer employees the plan may be communicated orally and no written plan need be maintained.
Fire wall IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Fire Wall)
Per IBC Section 202, a fire-resistance-rated wall with protected openings that restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse on either side without collapse of the wall.
Building area IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Area, Building)
Per IBC Section 202, the area within surrounding exterior walls, or exterior walls and fire walls, exclusive of vent shafts and courts; unwalled areas are included if within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.
Occupant load IBC 2021 202
Per IBC Section 202, the number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed (a design value, not the actual number present).
Story above grade plane IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Story Above Grade Plane)
Per IBC Section 202, any story with its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in which the finished surface of the floor next above is more than 6 feet above grade plane or more than 12 feet above finished ground level at any point.
Concrete Placing Reinforcing Bars (10th ed.), Chapter 3 — Concrete and Reinforced Concrete - Definitions
A mixture of one part cement, about 1½ to 2½ parts fine aggregate (usually sand), about 3 to 5 parts coarse aggregate (gravel, crushed stone, or blast-furnace slag), and clean water.
Calcium chloride (set accelerator) Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 6 - Chemical Admixtures for Concrete, Page 129 (16th ed.: Pages 222-223)
An effective set accelerator whose chief drawback is that chlorides accelerate corrosion of reinforcing steel, so it must be used with caution in reinforced concrete; it is not an effective antifreeze, lowering the freezing point only a few degrees at allowable dosages.
Silica fume Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Chapter 3 - Supplementary Cementitious Materials, Page 74 (16th ed.: Pages 161-162)
An extremely fine (average 0.1 µm), highly reactive supplementary cementitious material that yields very low chloride penetrability by 28 days but increases water demand, often requiring a water-reducing admixture for workability.
Escalation allowance Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 27
An allowance for the increase in costs of labor, materials and equipment between the time the bid is submitted and the time the work is done and paid for—especially important during high inflation.
Station number Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 111
A survey stake designation giving horizontal distance in multiples of 100 feet: the figure left of the plus sign is hundreds of feet and the figure to the right is additional feet (e.g., Sta 2+50 = 250 feet from Sta 0+00).
Two-scale utility plan Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Page 109
A utility site plan drawn with separate horizontal and vertical scales; e.g., 1 in = 40 ft horizontal with 1 in = 10 ft vertical gives a 4:1 horizontal-to-vertical ratio (the text notes the horizontal scale is usually ten times the vertical).
Architectural formwork deflection limit ACI SP-4 Formwork for Concrete (8th ed.), Appendix E (ACI 347R-14), Page E-23
Per ACI 347R-14 Section 7.4.3, limiting deflection of sheathing, studs and wales to l/400 (l = clear span between supports) is satisfactory for most architectural formwork, where deflection usually governs design rather than bending or shear.
Bar support height tolerance Placing Reinforcing Bars (10th ed.), Chapter 10 — Bar Supports
Per CRSI Placing Reinforcing Bars, Chapter 10, a variation of plus or minus 1/8 inch from the specified nominal height (base/leg or runner wire to underside of bar) is a normal construction tolerance.
Shore load continuity adjustment ACI SP-4 Formwork for Concrete (8th ed.), Page 8-2 (Section 8.1)
Per SP-4 Section 8.1, simple tributary area underestimates interior shore loads in continuous spans (center shore of a two-span uniform load carries 1.25wℓ), so for non-manufactured shores either consider continuity or increase the tributary-area load by 25%.
Formulas to Know
Concrete volume in cubic yards (footings, slabs, drives, walks)
cu yd = length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (ft) ÷ 27; convert inches to feet (4" = 0.333 ft, 5" = 0.4167 ft) and round up to the order increment (e.g., 400 cf ÷ 27 = 14.8 → order 15 cy; 540 sf × 0.4167 = 225 cf ÷ 27 = 8.33 cy)Pipe bedding quantity
cu yd = trench length (ft) × trench width (ft) × bedding depth (ft) ÷ 27 (27 cu ft per cu yd)Filter fabric quantity
sq yd = length (ft) × wrap width (ft) ÷ 9; e.g., 250 × 15 = 3,750 sf ÷ 9 ≈ 416 sq ydFormwork contact area
contact area (sf) = length (ft) × form height (ft) × number of faces; e.g., 200 × 1.0 × 2 = 400 sf, and walls: 2 × perimeter 136 ft × 8 ft = 2,176 sfFormwork labor price with burden and O&P
Base labor = contact area × unit rate; then × 1.25 for 25% labor burden; then × 1.15 for 15% O&P (400 sf × $1.25 = $500 → $625 → $718.75)Fill volume to a uniform finished elevation
Average existing elevation = sum of corner elevations ÷ 4; average fill depth = finished elev − average existing; cu yd = lot area (sf) × average depth (ft) ÷ 27 (6,000 sf × 1.00 ft ÷ 27 = 222.2 cy)Truncated prism method for excavation volume
Average the four corner depths, multiply by base area, divide by 27: (4+2+6+8)/4 = 5 ft × 2,500 sf = 12,500 cf ÷ 27 ≈ 463 cu ydTrench excavation production rate
BCF per lin ft = width × depth; LCF per lin ft = BCF × (1 + swell, loam ≈ 1.3); LCF per set = LCF/ft × set length; cycles per set = LCF per set ÷ bucket LCF; time per set = (cycles × cycle sec) + 15 sec move; sets/hr = 60 min ÷ time per set (min); lin ft/hr = sets/hr × set lengthBackhoe sizing for trench depth
Required maximum digging depth = trench depth ÷ 0.70 (most efficient within 70% of max depth): 10 ÷ 0.70 ≈ 14 ftNominal maximum aggregate size
Not more than 1/3 the slab depth and not more than 1/5 the narrowest dimension of a vertical member; smaller governs (4" slab ÷ 3 ≈ 1-1/3 in vs 12" ÷ 5 = 2.4 in → 1-1/3 in)Crawl space ventilation opening area
With approved Class I vapor retarder: net vent area = under-floor area ÷ 1,500 (1,200 ÷ 1,500 = 0.8 sf); without: area ÷ 150 (1,200 ÷ 150 = 8.0 sf)Table-based concrete quantities (coverage tables)
4-in slab: 1 cu yd covers 81 sq ft, so cu yd = area ÷ 81 (960 ÷ 81 = 11.85 → order 12); 8-in wall: 2.47 cu yd per 100 sq ft of wall area (1,088 sf ÷ 100 × 2.47 = 26.87 cu yd); footings round UP to the next quarter yard (5.10 → 5.25) and combined orders round up to the next whole yard (17.65 → 18)