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Footings & Foundations — ICC B2 Practice Questions

13 questions · 8% of the ICC B2 exam

Worked questions

1. A commercial building inspector is reviewing the design of a new retaining wall. The wall is to be constructed of concrete blocks. Which of the following design considerations is most critical for ensuring the stability of the wall?

  • AThe height of the wall.
  • BThe thickness of the concrete blocks.
  • CThe slope of the backfill.
  • The presence of a drainage system.

Exam tip

Drainage is a key factor in retaining wall stability.

Why D is correct

Section 1604.1.1 of the 2021 IBC emphasizes the importance of a drainage system in retaining wall design to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall, which can lead to instability. This is the most critical design consideration.

2. A commercial building inspector is reviewing the excavation for a new foundation. The soil conditions are determined to be expansive. Which of the following actions should be taken to mitigate the potential for foundation damage?

  • AIncrease the depth of the foundation to a greater depth than the soil bearing capacity.
  • Install a geosynthetic reinforcement layer under the foundation.
  • CUse a shallow foundation with a wider base.
  • DIncrease the size of the foundation pier to distribute the load.

Exam tip

Remember that geosynthetic reinforcement layers are a common solution for expansive soil conditions.

Why B is correct

According to Section 1806.3.1 of the 2021 IBC, geosynthetic reinforcement layers can be used to mitigate the effects of expansive soils. This is the correct action to take to prevent foundation damage.

3. A commercial building inspector is reviewing the foundation drainage system. Which of the following components is NOT typically required in a foundation drainage system?

  • APerforated drain pipe
  • BFilter fabric
  • CSump pump
  • Soil compactor

Exam tip

Understand the components and functions of a typical foundation drainage system to ensure proper installation and maintenance.

Why D is correct

A soil compactor is not typically required in a foundation drainage system. The other components, such as perforated drain pipe, filter fabric, and sump pump, are essential for proper drainage and to prevent water from accumulating around the foundation.

4. A commercial building is being constructed with spread footings. The soil bearing capacity is determined to be 2000 psf. The building has a total dead load of 150 psf and a live load of 50 psf. What is the minimum size required for the spread footings?

  • A12x12 inches
  • 16x16 inches
  • C20x20 inches
  • D24x24 inches

Exam tip

Always consider the total load and soil bearing capacity when determining the size of footings.

Why B is correct

The total load on the footing is the sum of the dead load and live load, which is 150 psf + 50 psf = 200 psf. Since the soil bearing capacity is 2000 psf, the minimum size of the footing can be calculated by dividing the total load by the bearing capacity, which is 200 psf / 2000 psf = 0.1. The smallest option that meets this requirement is 16x16 inches.

9 more in the bank

Answers and explanations for these are in the app.

  • A commercial building inspector is reviewing the excavation for a new foundation. Which of the following conditions indicates that the excavation is not stable and requires immediate attention?
  • A commercial building inspector is reviewing the foundation waterproofing system. Which of the following materials is NOT recommended for use as a foundation waterproofing membrane?
  • A retaining wall is being constructed to support a new parking area. The wall will be 8 feet high and will be backfilled with a granular fill material. What is the minimum thickness of the granular fill material required behind the retaining wall?
  • An inspector is assessing the condition of the foundation of an existing commercial building. They notice that the concrete foundation has numerous cracks. Which of the following actions should the inspector take next?
  • An inspector is conducting a routine foundation inspection on a commercial building. Which of the following is the primary objective of a foundation inspection?
  • An inspector is reviewing the design of a new foundation for an existing commercial building. The engineer has specified a spread footing with a thickness of 18 inches. Which of the following statements is true regarding the minimum thickness of spread footings?
  • An inspector is reviewing the foundation of an existing commercial building and notices that the footings are settling. Which of the following actions should be taken to address the settlement?
  • An inspector is reviewing the foundation waterproofing system for a new commercial building. Which of the following materials is most commonly used for waterproofing the exterior of a foundation wall?
  • An inspector is reviewing the site drainage plan for a new commercial building. The site is sloped to the north, and the building is oriented to the south. Which of the following drainage requirements should be considered to prevent water from entering the building?

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