7 questions

Post-placement Tasks

Wall forms that needed finishing were stripped early. What must follow right away?

  • a.Curing the exposed faces✓
  • b.A coat of form oil
  • c.Nothing until day 7
  • d.Sandblasting of the wall

If forms are removed before the end of the curing period, curing and protection must be provided for the rest of it; form oil is not a curing method.UFGS 03 30 00 Cast-in-Place Concrete (Chg 10, Aug 2025)

Post-placement Tasks

How stiff should dry-pack mortar be?

  • a.Pourable like grout
  • b.Completely dry powder
  • c.Stiff; balls when squeezed✓
  • d.Wet enough to self-level

Dry pack is mixed with just enough water to form a ball when squeezed gently by hand, then rammed into place; wetter mixes shrink and bond poorly.Caltrans Reinforced Concrete Construction Manual (June 2025), ch. 5

Post-placement Tasks

A patch on a visible gray wall looks darker than the wall. How is color usually matched?

  • a.Add some white cement✓
  • b.Use form oil on the patch.
  • c.Paint the patch gray.
  • d.Add extra water to lighten it.

Caltrans notes color matching can be achieved by adding a small amount of white cement, testing sample patches in inconspicuous locations. Extra water weakens the patch.Caltrans Reinforced Concrete Construction Manual (June 2025), ch. 5

Post-placement Tasks

Small surface holes appear on a wall cast against steel forms. What most likely caused them?

  • a.Too much reinforcing steel
  • b.Trapped air bubbles✓
  • c.Late sawing of joints
  • d.Excess curing compound

Bug holes come from air bubbles trapped against forms, especially impervious forms such as steel or plastic liners; proper vibration or revibration helps prevent them.Caltrans Reinforced Concrete Construction Manual (June 2025), ch. 5

Post-placement Tasks

How is epoxy injection of a dormant crack done?

  • a.Pour epoxy into the open crack
  • b.Seal it, then inject via ports✓
  • c.Rout it and fill with sealant
  • d.Spray epoxy over the whole wall

NPS describes sealing the crack surface on both sides and injecting epoxy through small holes or ports; routing and sealing is the method for moving cracks.National Park Service Preservation Brief 15

Post-placement Tasks

What must an owner know before a clear penetrating sealer is applied?

  • a.It fills cracks permanently.
  • b.It can't be removed once applied.✓
  • c.It lasts the life of the slab.
  • d.It forms a peelable film.

NPS notes penetrating sealers cannot be effectively removed (irreversible), do not bridge or fill cracks, and require periodic reapplication.National Park Service Preservation Brief 15

Post-placement Tasks

Why must joint sealants be inspected and replaced over time?

  • a.They are only temporary fillers.
  • b.They turn into mortar.
  • c.They harden the concrete edges.
  • d.They wear out before concrete.✓

NPS notes sealants deteriorate faster than their substrates and must be replaced periodically as part of cyclical maintenance.National Park Service Preservation Brief 15

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