Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
South Carolina - Asphalt Paving
South Carolina · 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
50
Passing score
70%
Exam time
180 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
South Carolina State Portion 50 questions
Paving - Compaction and Stabilization
9 Q · 18%
Compaction equipment selection based on soil and material typeCompaction testing methods and density standards (Proctor, nuclear, sand cone)Optimum moisture content and moisture-density relationshipsLift thickness, number of passes, and roller speed requirementsSubgrade preparation and compaction requirements (SCDOT Section 208)Cement and lime stabilization methods for subgrade and base coursesAggregate base placement, rolling, and compaction proceduresProof rolling procedures for embankment and subgrade verification
Paving - Asphalt Paving Procedures
9 Q · 18%
Prime coat and tack coat application procedures and ratesAsphalt paver operation, screed control, and grade/slope sensing systemsCompaction equipment types, roller patterns, and breakdown/intermediate/finish rolling sequenceWeather and temperature restrictions for HMA placementPavement course types: base, intermediate, surface, cold mix, and open-graded friction courseAsphalt surface treatments: single, double, and triple treatment application sequencesMilling, planing, and surface preparation of existing asphalt pavementRecycled asphalt pavement (RAP) use, categories, and maximum allowable percentagesChapter 14 - Asphalt Mix Production and PlacementSection 401 Hot Mixed Asphalt (Hma) Pavement
Paving - Asphalt Properties and General Uses
10 Q · 20%
Types of asphalt pavement courses and their applications (base, intermediate, surface, friction course)Performance grade (PG) binder classification and selection criteriaAggregate properties and gradation requirements for HMAHot mix versus cold mix asphalt characteristics and usesAsphalt surface treatments (single, double, and triple treatment) construction and materialsOpen-graded friction course (OGFC) composition and usesRecycled asphalt pavement (RAP) types, limits, and incorporation into mixesLiquid asphalt types (cutbacks, emulsions) and their applications including prime and tack coatsChapter 14 - Asphalt Mix Production and PlacementSection 401 Hot Mixed Asphalt (Hma) PavementAsphalt Paving
Paving - Asphalt Emulsions - Uses and Application
6 Q · 12%
Types and grades of asphalt emulsions (anionic, cationic, CRS-2P, SS-1, RS-1, etc.)Prime coat application: purpose, rates, and approved emulsion gradesTack coat application: purpose, rates, and approved emulsion gradesSurface treatment (chip seal) emulsion application rates and temperature requirementsWeather and seasonal limitations for emulsion applicationDistributor truck calibration and uniform application requirementsAggregate spreading sequence and timing relative to emulsion applicationSingle, double, and triple treatment emulsion application sequencesChapter 14 - Asphalt Mix Production and PlacementSection 401 Hot Mixed Asphalt (Hma) Pavement
Paving - Asphalt Maintenance Applications
8 Q · 16%
Milling and surface planing of existing asphalt pavementFull-depth asphalt pavement patching proceduresPrime coat and tack coat application requirementsAsphalt surface treatment types (single, double, and triple treatment)Open-graded friction course (OGFC) materials and placementCold mix asphalt surface and intermediate course constructionChip seal application rates, rolling, and sweeping proceduresMilled-in rumble strip installation requirementsChapter 14 - Asphalt Mix Production and PlacementSection 401 Hot Mixed Asphalt (Hma) PavementAsphalt Paving
Concrete
8 Q · 16%
Concrete mixture proportioning and water-cementitious materials ratioPortland cement types and supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, slag, silica fume)Aggregate requirements, gradation, and quality standardsAdmixtures: air-entraining, water-reducing, accelerating, and retardingFresh concrete field testing: slump, air content, compressive strength cylinders, and yieldConcrete placement methods: chute, pump, bucket, conveyor, and buggyFormwork design, loading, types, and form removalReinforcing steel types, grades, placement, splicing, and corrosion protection
Key Distinctions
Tack coat application ratevsSeal coat / prime coat application rates
A tack coat is a very thin, uniform coating usually applied at 0.03 to 0.06 gal/sy of residual asphalt cement, while seal coats run 0.10 to 0.20 gal/sy and prime coats 0.20 to 0.60 gal/sy.
Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 729Correct (thin) tack coatvsOver-applied tack coat
A thin uniform tack coat bonds the old pavement to the new mat, but an application sprayed much heavier than specified defeats its purpose and causes the layers to creep because the asphalt acts as a lubricant rather than a tack.
Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 729Residual asphalt cement ratevsEmulsion (applied) rate
The residual rate is the asphalt cement left after the water leaves; the emulsion rate is the residual rate divided by the emulsion's asphalt fraction (about two-thirds for a typical undiluted emulsion), and diluting the emulsion with an equal volume of water doubles the applied rate again.
Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 728Standard Proctor (ASTM D-698 / AASHTO T 99)vsModified Proctor (ASTM D-1557 / AASHTO T 180)
Standard Proctor drops a 5.5-lb rammer 25 times from 12 in. on each of three equal layers, while Modified Proctor drops a 10-lb rammer from 18 in. on each of five equal layers, applying approximately five times greater energy.
Construction Equipment Guide, Chapter 5 - Compaction and Stabilization Equipment, COMPACTION TESTSImpacts per foot for soilsvsImpacts per foot for asphalt mixtures
Soils may require a minimum of 6 impacts per foot, while the recommended range for asphalt mixtures is 10 to 12 impacts per foot.
Construction Equipment Guide, Chapter 5 - Compaction and Stabilization Equipment, Vibrating CompactorsSmooth-drum vibratory soil compactorvsPadded-drum / sheepsfoot roller
Smooth-drum vibratory rollers can be used on semi-cohesive soils with up to about 10% of the material having a plasticity index of 5 or greater; beyond that threshold padded-drum or sheepsfoot rollers are more appropriate.
Construction Equipment Guide, Chapter 5 - Compaction and Stabilization Equipment, Smooth-Drum Vibratory Soil CompactorsFinish roller on a dense paving matvsFinish roller on open-graded asphalt
The paving finish roller is a double-drum static (two-axle tandem) roller weighing no less than 8 tons, but for open-graded asphalt a 10-ton tandem static roller is required and is usually the only type of roller used on open-graded mixes.
Excavation and Grading Handbook, Appendix A — Compactors and Rollers / Steel-drum roller section (Page 490)Trench paving 2 1/2 in. of asphalt or lessvsTrench paving more than 2 1/2 in.
If 2 1/2 in. of asphalt or less is placed, the trench can be paved in one lift followed by a 5- or 8-ton roller; more than 2 1/2 in. may require two lifts with a strike-off plate holding the first lift down an inch or more.
Excavation and Grading Handbook, Chapter 21 — Paving Trenches section (Pages 386 to 387)Grade setting where surveyors show a cutvsGrade setting where surveyors show a fill
When the stake shows a fill the fill is ADDED to the rod reading before the road section is subtracted (subtracting it as if it were a cut is an error), after which the aggregate thickness is added to the subgrade reading to get the base elevation.
Excavation and Grading Handbook, Page 97 (Chapter 5 — Using a Laser Level on a Road Project section)Cat 815 compactorvsCat 825 compactor
Rule of thumb for subdivision fills: a Cat 815 when the daily fill hauled is 4,500 cubic yards or less, and a Cat 825 for 4,500 to 8,000 cubic yards per day.
Excavation and Grading Handbook, Page 160 (Chapter 9 — Compactors section)Cut-side strippingvsFill-side stripping
On an earthwork volume sheet, stripping over the cut footprint is subtracted from the cut (topsoil is unusable as fill) while stripping under the fill footprint is added to the fill (its removal increases the fill required).
Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Pages 133-135 (Table 3.1)Strength acceptance Criteria AvsStrength acceptance Criteria B
Criteria A requires the average of any three successive tests to equal or exceed f'c, while Criteria B requires that no single test fall below f'c by more than 500 psi when f'c is 5000 psi or less (more than 10 percent of f'c when f'c exceeds 5000 psi).
Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (4th ed.), Pages 149-150Key Terms
Tack coat Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 729
A very thin, uniform coating of asphalt applied between an existing pavement and a new overlay, usually 0.03 to 0.06 gal/sy of residual asphalt cement.
Prime coat Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Pages 728 to 729
An asphalt application placed over an untreated aggregate base, with normal application rates ranging from 0.20 to 0.60 gal/sy.
Surface treatment Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 693
A low-cost wearing layer built over a base by spraying liquid asphalt cement on the surface, covering it with a layer of small aggregate, and then rolling to compact the aggregate into the asphalt.
Nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) — Superpave Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Pages 690, 694
One sieve size larger than the first sieve that retains more than 10% of the aggregate mass; the maximum aggregate size is one sieve size larger than the NMAS.
Penetration grading (AASHTO T49) Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods (9th ed.), Page 699
A consistency test in which a needle carrying a 100-g mass is applied for 5 seconds to an asphalt sample conditioned at 77°F, and the depth of penetration is measured.
Dust to asphalt ratio (SCDOT 401.2.3.5) SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Subsection 401.2.3.5, Page 197
Percent passing the No. 200 sieve divided by percent binder, which must be kept between 0.60 and 1.20 for all HMA intermediate and surface courses except Surface Type E.
HMA Surface Course Type E (SCDOT 403.2.2) SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Subsection 403.2.2, Page 220
An HMA surface course for which a job mix formula is not required, but whose binder content must be maintained within ±0.4% of the content approved by the MRE.
Full depth asphalt pavement patch (SCDOT 401.4.14) SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Subsection 401.4.14, Page 208
A patch that must be constructed with a minimum patch size of 6 feet × 6 feet with at least 25 feet between patches.
Multiple-lift placement temperature limit (SCDOT 401.4.19) SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Section 401, Page 211
When multiple HMA lifts are placed in a single day, the interior mat temperature of the previous lift must be less than 175ºF, measured at the mid-point of the mat depth with a calibrated thermometer following SC-T-84.
Shredded shingles in HMA (SCDOT 401.2.2.8.2) SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Subsection 401.2.2.8.2, Page 194
When used in an approved HMA mixture, shingles are utilized at 3% to 8% by the total weight of the aggregate in accordance with the job mix formula.
Tolerance zone (SC Code 58-36-20(21)(a)) SC 811 Excavator Manual (2026), Page 28 (Tolerance Zone & Safe Digging Practices)
For most excavation activities, one-half of the known diameter of the facility plus twenty-four inches on either side of the designated center line; for subaqueous excavation the tolerance zone extends 15 feet on either side. Within the zone, non-mechanical or soft digging methods (hand digging, vacuum/hydro excavation, or other non-destructive methods) must be used until the facility is visually confirmed.
Locate request expiration (SC Code 58-36-60(B)) SC 811 Excavator Manual (2026), Pages 9, 16 (Locate Request Timeline)
Notice given to the notification center expires within fifteen working days after the date of notice, and no excavation or demolition may continue after that period without a subsequent notice.
No Show secondary action (SC Code 58-36-60(E)(6)) SC 811 Excavator Manual (2026), Pages 18, 23 (Secondary Actions)
When a member utility has not responded in Positive Response but there are indications of a facility in the area, the excavator must contact SC811 for a 'No Show' and allow an additional three hours for the operator/locator to mark the facility.
Choker Excavation and Grading Handbook, Appendix B — Glossary (Page 492)
A road shoulder left higher than the subgrade level that also contains base rock to limit waste.
Depth of influence (vibratory roller) Construction Equipment Guide, Chapter 5 - Compaction and Stabilization Equipment, Vibrating Compactors
The depth a roller can effectively compact — 2.5 to 4.0 ft for a typical 10- to 15-ton vibratory roller — which determines maximum lift thickness for a single pass sequence.
Spread production (linked equipment system) Construction Equipment Guide, Chapter 3 - Planning for Earthwork Construction, Spread Production
The production capacity of a linked excavator/haul/compaction system, dictated by the lesser of the production capacities of the individual systems — the weakest link controls.
Formulas to Know
Quick field estimate of asphalt tonnage
tons = (square feet to be paved × depth in inches) ÷ 160; e.g., 2,000 sf × 3 in. = 6,000 ÷ 160 = 37.5 tons (the handbook advises ordering slightly under the estimate; the formula is also used in reverse to find how far a given tonnage will spread)Vibratory roller working speed for a required impact spacing
speed (mph) = (vpm × 60) ÷ (impacts per foot × 5,280); e.g., (3,200 × 60) ÷ (12 × 5,280) = 3.0 mph, within the recommended 2 to 4 mph vibratory working rangeRoller production in compacted cubic yards per hour
ccy/hr = (speed (fpm) × width (ft) × lift thickness (ft) × 60 min/hr × efficiency) ÷ number of passesQuantity of liquid asphalt for a sprayed application (Eq. 14.2)
area (sy) = (width ft × length ft) ÷ 9; gallons = area (sy) × application rate (gal/sy); e.g., 16 ft × 2,200 ft = 35,200 sf ÷ 9 = 3,911 sy × 0.3 gal/sy ≈ 1,173 gal residualConverting a residual rate to an emulsion rate
emulsion rate = residual rate ÷ asphalt-cement fraction of the emulsion; for a typical emulsion that is about two-thirds asphalt cement, 0.03 ÷ (2/3) = 0.045 gal/sy; for a 70% emulsion, 0.035 ÷ 0.70 = 0.05 gal/sy, and a 1:1 dilution with water doubles it to 0.10 gal/syTotal emulsion to order for a tack coat on a roadway
area (sy) = (width × length) ÷ 9; residual gal = area × residual rate; emulsion gal = residual gal ÷ asphalt fraction; e.g., 24 ft × 10,560 ft = 253,440 sf ÷ 9 = 28,160 sy × 0.05 = 1,408 gal ÷ 0.70 ≈ 2,011 galWater to add per station to reach optimum moisture
volume = length × width × compacted lift thickness (ft); dry weight = volume × specified dry unit weight; water (lb) = (optimum w% − borrow w%) × dry weight; gallons = water lb ÷ 8.33; e.g., 100 × 36 × 0.667 = 2,400 cf × 115 pcf = 276,000 lb; (0.13 − 0.06) × 276,000 = 19,320 lb ÷ 8.33 ≈ 2,319 galGrade-setter laser rod computation when the stake shows a fill
subgrade mark = rod reading + fill − total road section thickness; aggregate base mark = subgrade mark + aggregate thickness; e.g., 4.20 + 0.50 − 0.85 = 3.85 subgrade, 3.85 + 0.60 = 4.45 baseAlgebraic sum (mass balance) for a station increment
total cut (bcy) = cut volume − cut stripping; total fill (ccy) = fill volume + fill stripping; adjusted fill (bcy) = total fill ÷ 0.90; algebraic sum = total cut − adjusted fill; e.g., (1,800 − 200) − (1,500 + 150) ÷ 0.90 = 1,600 − 1,833 = −233 bcySubgrade fall across pavement plus curb widths, and excavation credit from aggregate tickets
Subgrade fall = (pavement width + curb widths) × cross slope; e.g., 17 ft + 0.67 ft + 3 ft = 20.67 ft × 2% = 0.41 ft. Excavation credit rule of thumb = 1 cubic yard of dirt excavated per 2 tons of aggregate placed; e.g., 3,600 tons ÷ 2 = 1,800 cy