A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Project Period:

1 July 1993-30 June 1996

Federal Funding Source:

Department of Education

Federal:

$380,480

Non-Federal:

380,575

Total:

$761,055

Occupational Area(s):

Pipe laying work, concrete work, lead remediation and petro-chemical remediation

Status:

Draft standards were available in February 1996. The final version of the standards will be published in early 1996.

Description of standards document:

The standards will be in a scenario-based format. They will include a scenario and the following items associated with it: performance criteria; necessary workplace skills, knowledge and aptitudes; and relevant tasks from a master list of tasks.

Description of companion document:

Not applicable

Excerpt(s) of a standard:

Scenario: Slab-on-grade construction begins with the clearing and removing of all organic materials such as peat, grass, and tree roots. Once these materials are removed, the earth under the proposed concrete slab (sub-grade) is prepared to ensure that it will not settle or shift from the actions of frost and water by excavating the original soil and replacing it with a clean aggregate, compacted to near maximum density. The amount of material excavated depends on the type of existing soil and the anticipated load the slab will be required to withstand. `Usually the excavation is deep enough to accommodate 4 inches of concrete and 2 inches of aggregate base material and still match surrounding features such as lawns, walks, streets, and garages. As the excavation proceeds, care is taken to avoid removing too much or too little material. Then the sub-grade is shaped to the same amount of slope as the proposed finished surface. During grading, the sub-grade material is compacted to eliminate the chance of later settlement. Once the sub-grade is compact and uniform, aggregate base material is added, graded, and compacted. As each level of material is graded, the tolerance for deviation away from uniform grows smaller. For example, on the sub-grade level a standard industry tolerance is +/-0.10 of a foot. For the aggregate base level, a standard industry tolerance is +/-0.05 of a foot. In the finished slab, tolerances can range from 1/4", to less than 1/16' depending on the project design and specifications. Following base preparation, forms are built to contain the concrete until it hardens. For a normal slab, the forming process consists of staking 2"x4" or 2"x6" lumber at the edges of the proposed slab. For slabs of greater depth, more elaborate staking and bracing procedures are required. The form should be at the proper elevation, display the appropriate slope, and be within the design tolerances of elevation and alignment expected of the finished slab.

Partners:

University of Minnesota, Lane Community College, National Vocational Technical Education Foundation, North Lake College, Regents College, Ritangela Construction Associated General Contractors, Kiewit Construction Group, Inc., National Constructors Association, Laborers Local Union 172, AGC-Eastern Missouri Laborers Joint Training Fund, U.S. Army, Laborers' International Union of North America, AMERON, The Associated General Contractors, RESTEC Contractors, Inc., National Erectors Association, Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America, Northwest Laborers-Employers Training Fund.

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