Soils Field Tester
The CIT Program provides the following methods for obtaining certification.
1. Soils Field Course
Course options include:
Online course - course is online and available upon registration. The course is available to you year round with the course period designated in your registration confirmation email and the CanvasPro course page. You must complete the course and subsequent exam(s) by the stated completion date in your confirmation email and in CanvasPro. Written and performance exams are administered in Salina, KS.
In Person course - four day course instructed in Salina, KS and written and performance exams are administered on the last day.
Prerequisite: Pass Basic Math test prior to enrolling for the course.
Course Description
KDOT requires this course for persons who are testing soils to determine quality and acceptability.
Instructor
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Isaac Ferguson, KDOT Geotechnical Specialist Isaac received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology located in Rolla, Missouri. He possesses a wide range of geotechnical engineering experience involving earth retaining structures, geosynthetics, embankments over soft soils, shallow foundations, and forensic investigations for slope and pavement failures. He has been the instructor for the CIT-Soils Field Tester for 8 years. |
Learning Objectives
- Find a representative sample/total supply by reducing a large field soil sample to a smaller one
- Learn standard compaction testing and moisture content
- Understand how to prepare the sample for testing and complete calculations for all tests
- Determine density of soil in-place by using the Sand-Cone method and moisture content of soil using calcium carbide gas pressure tester "Speedy Meter"
- Find the liquid limit of soil using the multi-point and the single point method
- Determine the plastic limit and the plasticity index
- Learn 12 classifications of soil, practice the description/identification of soils visually and/or manually
Course Material
Download the Soils Field Tester Workbook
Performance Checklists
KT-10 Plasticity Tests (LL)
KT-10 Plasticity Tests (PL)
KT-11 Moisture Tests (Constant Mass Method)
KT-11 Moisture Tests (Gas Pressure Method)
KT-12 Standard Compaction Test (Fine)
KT-13 Field Density Tests of Soils, Treated Base Courses, and Water Bound Base Courses (Sand Cone Method)
KT-13 Field Density Tests of Soils, Treated Base Courses, and Water Bound Base Courses (Sand Density)
KT-65 Sampling and Splitting Cement Treated Base Mixtures
Testing Information
- Exam: The class option requires a written exam and a performance exam.
- Score: A score of 60% on each portion of the written exam plus a 70% overall score is required to pass.
- If three or less performance sub tests are failed, only the sub test failed must be retaken. If four or more sub tests are failed, all performance sub tests must be retaken.