AASHTO Publications Earthwork Series: Earth Materials as Engineering Materials (1.5 PDHs) TC3CN021-15-T1

This course offers professional development hours (PDHs). You will see the PDHs on your course completion certificate, which also serves as documentation of your attendance. PDH requirements vary, therefore, it is up to you to determine whether or not this particular course qualifies under your State or board requirements. Course overview: The Earth Materials as Engineering Materials is part of the Earthwork Series. This training is an overview of the basic properties of earth materials or soil and their engineering properties as they relate to construction. Soil is the product of mechanical and chemical weathering of rocks. Most naturally occurring soils consist of a mixture of assorted grains of different sizes and shapes. This course consists of five lessons. The lessons include: 1. Components and Types of Soil 2. Soil Description and Classification 3. Engineering Characteristics 4. Process of Material Verification 5. Preliminary Inspector Responsibilities The course discusses the Atterberg Limits, which include shrinkage limits, liquid limits, plastic limits, and plastic index—the four basic measures of the nature of fine-grained soil. Training level: This training is recommended for the Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council levels II through IV. Target audience: This training is targeted to both agency and industry technicians that will be using earth materials as engineering materials on an earthwork project. This training is beneficial to anyone working on the project but is targeted to the intermediate to advanced technician. Learning outcomes: Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: • Identify the components and types of soil; • Identify the soil characteristics that effect engineering performance; • Recognize the differences between description and classification of soil; • Explain the processes of soil verification; and • Recognize preliminary inspector responsibilities as a part of contract specifications.