North Carolina Building Code and Excavation Practices

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering North Carolina building inspections, excavation mathematics, earth-moving equipment production, and sedimentation control regulations.

North Carolina State Building Code: Administrative Code and Policies 2018

The reference source permitted for the exam, covering construction inspection procedures and policies.

Footing Inspection

Performed after trenches are excavated, all grade stakes are installed, reinforcing steel and supports are in place and tied, and forms are in place but before any concrete is placed.

Under-slab inspection

Made after all materials and equipment to be concealed by the concrete slab are completed.

Foundation inspection, crawl space

Performed after all foundation supports are installed.

Rough-in inspection

Performed when all building framing and parts of the electrical, plumbing, fire protection, or HVAC systems that will be hidden are in place, but before wall/ceiling finish or insulation is installed.

Building framing inspection

Made after roof (excluding covering), wall, ceiling, and floor framing is complete with blocking, bracing, and firestopping in place.

Insulation inspection

Made after approved framing and rough-in inspections and the permanent roof covering is installed, with all insulation and vapor retarders in place, but before wall or ceiling covering is applied.

Fire protection inspection

Required in all buildings where material is used for fire protection; materials must not be concealed until inspected and approved.

Hub

A small stake driven into the ground to identify a reference point; often a $2" \times 2"$ stake with a nail driven into the top for accuracy.

Reference Stake (Information Stake)

A stake driven in the vicinity of the hub identifying the hub's elevation and situation in relation to the pipeline.

Offset

The horizontal measurement of the distance from the hub to the centerline of the cut or fill.

Station (Sta)

The distance from the starting point expressed in $100$ units; for example, $1+50 = 150$ feet.

Cut (C)

The flow line of the pipe below the top of the hub.

Slope Calculation Formula

$$\text{Slope} = \frac{\text{Rise}}{\text{Run}}$$

100% Slope

Occurs when the vertical rise or fall is equal to the horizontal distance; equivalent to a $45^{\text{o}}$ angle.

Igneous Rock

Formed from molten magma; identified as the hardest type of rock to excavate or rip.

Sedimentary Rock

Formed from sediments compressed by water and layers; identified as the easiest rock to excavate or rip.

Water Table

The level of the underground water, which varies in depth from season to season.

Wellpoint System

A system used to lower the groundwater table in bad groundwater conditions.

Optimum Moisture Content

The right amount of moisture for soil compaction to reach maximum density.

Non-Destructive Soil Density Test

The Nuclear density method, which does not require soil samples to be removed from the site.

Destructive Soil Density Tests

The Proctor test (Standard or Modified) and the sand cone test.

Self-loading Scraper (Pan)

An earth-moving machine most productive in hard or muddy soil when assisted by a dozer pushing on the rear push blocks.

Negative Grade

A downhill slope.

Positive Grade

An uphill slope.

Dozer Blade Capacity on a negative 40 percent grade

The blade load capacity doubles compared to flat ground.

Dozer Blade Capacity on a positive 40 percent slope

The blade capacity is cut in half.

A-Blade (Angled Blade) Dozer

A dozer that can side cast material in a 'Windrow' and position it at $90^{\text{o}}$ to the line of travel.

Reflective Barrels

The preferred method of traffic control for a lane closure at night.

Earthwork Volume Formula (Cubic Yards)

$$\frac{\text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (ft)} \times \text{Depth (ft)}}{27}$$

Sedimentation

Occurs when flowing water slows down enough to allow suspended soil particles to settle.

Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 Exclusions

Does not apply to agricultural activities, forestry, mining, or emergency activities essential to protect human life.

10 year storm

The design and performance standard for which erosion control measures must be planned to provide peak rate run off protection.

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Filing

Required for land-disturbing activity on a tract of $1$ or more acres; $3$ copies must be filed at least $30$ days prior to activity.

Financial Responsibility

The person financially responsible for the site development is responsible for the sedimentation and erosion control.

Trout Waters Buffer Zone

An undisturbed buffer zone with a minimum width of $25$ feet, measured horizontally from the top of the bank.

Diversion Dikes

Erosion control structures that must be at least $2$ feet across at the top and $18$ inches high.

Sediment Basin Storage Capacity

Must be designed with a capacity of $1800$ cf/acre.

Seedbed Preparation Requirement

Requires scarifying the ground at least $4$ inches deep.