CON 353 EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the inspection prior to placing concrete? - ANS Reinforcement Inspection
Reinforcement inspection - ANS 1. Performed by a 3rd party inspector (Residentially
performed by the building inspector) (IBC)
2. Approved placement drawings (rebar shops)
3. Rebar Diameter & Grade
4. Rebar Spacing
5. Coverage Requirements with proper support (dobies, plastic chairs, steel chairs)
6. Splices
7. American Concrete Institute - Tolerances & Placement manual produces the standards in
most specifications
Concrete Admixture? - ANS Chemicals added to the concrete at time of batch or prior to
placement
Accelerators - ANS •speed up the hydration, or hardening, of the wet concrete. Often used in
colder temperatures so the concrete crew has less waiting time between placing and finishing
the concrete.
Retarders - ANS •slow the hydration, or hardening, of the wet concrete. Often used in hotter
temperatures so the concrete doesn't set too quickly, allowing the concrete finishing crew to get
the proper finishing work completed.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Air entraining - ANS •agents add and help distribute tiny air bubbles throughout the
concrete. These tiny air bubbles help the concrete resist the freeze-thaw cycles with much less
cracking and damage.
Plasticizers and Superplasticizers - ANS improve the workability of the concrete during the
wet (or plastic) stage allowing the concrete to flow more easily. They are particularly helpful
when placing concrete around congested rebar arrangements.
What is truck spacing for concrete pours? - ANS •Truck spacing is calculating the anticipated
placement rate based upon the type of element you are placing. The importance of truck
spacing stems from the specifications. Often times the specs will reference an ASTM standard.
The standard specifies discharge of the concrete shall be completed within 1 ½ hours after the
introduction of the mixing water to the cement and aggregates, or the introduction of the
cement to the aggregates.
Slabs - 4" - ANS •roughly 7 minute spacing
Slab 8" - ANS •12 minute spacing
Wall Pours - ANS •15-20 minute spacing
What does slump do? - ANS •Slump test determines the concretes workability and ability to
flow in the formwork.
Typical slump? - ANS •Typical slump 4"
Cylinder Compression Test? - ANS •Confirms proper strength of the concrete.
28 Days - ANS •Cylinder should meet specified strength
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What is the inspection prior to placing concrete? - ANS Reinforcement Inspection
Reinforcement inspection - ANS 1. Performed by a 3rd party inspector (Residentially
performed by the building inspector) (IBC)
2. Approved placement drawings (rebar shops)
3. Rebar Diameter & Grade
4. Rebar Spacing
5. Coverage Requirements with proper support (dobies, plastic chairs, steel chairs)
6. Splices
7. American Concrete Institute - Tolerances & Placement manual produces the standards in
most specifications
Concrete Admixture? - ANS Chemicals added to the concrete at time of batch or prior to
placement
Accelerators - ANS •speed up the hydration, or hardening, of the wet concrete. Often used in
colder temperatures so the concrete crew has less waiting time between placing and finishing
the concrete.
Retarders - ANS •slow the hydration, or hardening, of the wet concrete. Often used in hotter
temperatures so the concrete doesn't set too quickly, allowing the concrete finishing crew to get
the proper finishing work completed.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Air entraining - ANS •agents add and help distribute tiny air bubbles throughout the
concrete. These tiny air bubbles help the concrete resist the freeze-thaw cycles with much less
cracking and damage.
Plasticizers and Superplasticizers - ANS improve the workability of the concrete during the
wet (or plastic) stage allowing the concrete to flow more easily. They are particularly helpful
when placing concrete around congested rebar arrangements.
What is truck spacing for concrete pours? - ANS •Truck spacing is calculating the anticipated
placement rate based upon the type of element you are placing. The importance of truck
spacing stems from the specifications. Often times the specs will reference an ASTM standard.
The standard specifies discharge of the concrete shall be completed within 1 ½ hours after the
introduction of the mixing water to the cement and aggregates, or the introduction of the
cement to the aggregates.
Slabs - 4" - ANS •roughly 7 minute spacing
Slab 8" - ANS •12 minute spacing
Wall Pours - ANS •15-20 minute spacing
What does slump do? - ANS •Slump test determines the concretes workability and ability to
flow in the formwork.
Typical slump? - ANS •Typical slump 4"
Cylinder Compression Test? - ANS •Confirms proper strength of the concrete.
28 Days - ANS •Cylinder should meet specified strength
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
