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  Grade & Drain Training

The Grade and Drain qualification program was created in accordance with FHWA’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction” policy and KM 64-001-08, which both state that all sampling and testing data to be used in the acceptance decision or the Independent Assurance (IA) program shall be executed by qualified sampling and testing personnel. Participants must successfully complete Level I training before attending Level II. Qualification is good for five years.

Courses

The Grading Level I course is designed to give participants the skills and knowledge required to become a competent grade and drain inspector.  Topics discussed include soil sampling, interpretation of soil profile sheets, moisture and density testing by the nuclear method, developing moisture density target values by the one-point proctor method, visual identification of soil types, and specifications of grade, pipe installation, and drain construction.  Each participant will perform a one-point proctor and a nuclear density test.

Qualification is good for five years.

Who Should Attend

Individuals who wish to become qualified samplers/testers.

Agenda
  • Geology
  • Soil Classification & Field Classification of Soils
  • Subgrade Strength - California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Shear Strength of Soil
  • Geotechnical Plan Information
  • Construction Specifications
  • Aggregate Base Courses
  • Pipe Installation
  • Radiation Safety & Density Testing
  • One-Point Proctor Virtual Lab
Policy

The Grade and Drain qualification program was created in accordance with FHWA’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction” policy and KM 64-001-08, which both state that all sampling and testing data to be used in the acceptance decision or the IA program shall be executed by qualified sampling and testing personnel. Participants must successfully complete Level I training before attending Level II. Grade and Drain Level I is a prerequisite for Grade and Drain Level II. In order to take Grade and Drain Level II a participant must successfully pass the Grade and Drain Level I exam with a passing score.

The qualification for both trainings are valid for five years. After five years, an individual will need to take both Level I and Level II in accordance in which they are due to renew.

Fees
$175
for state and local agencies
$200
for private industry

Payment is required in advance, except for employees of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Grade & Drain Level II builds upon information that is provided in the Grading Level I course.  The purpose of the course is to provide additional training to inspection personnel who are involved with grade and drain construction of roadways. Topics discussed during the course include the following: construction and design of cut slopes in rock, geotextiles, karst topography (sinkholes), subgrade stabilization, structural backfill.  

Each individual that successfully completes the course will be awarded a Grading Level II qualification. Qualification is good for five years.

Who Should Attend

State, contractor, and consultant personnel who are qualified as a Grade & Drain Level I inspector and will be responsible for performing and/or inspecting work within the topics included in this training. Contractor and consultant personnel who are responsible for overseeing quality control on KYTC grade and drain construction projects should also attend. You must have an up-to-date qualification in Grade & Drain Level I to attend Level II. 

Agenda
  • Cut Slopes
  • Karst Topography
  • Geosynthetics
  • Subgrade Stabilization
  • Structural Backfill
Policy

The Grade and Drain qualification program was created in accordance with FHWA’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction” policy and KM 64-001-08, which both state that all sampling and testing data to be used in the acceptance decision or the IA program shall be executed by qualified sampling and testing personnel. Participants must successfully complete Level I training before attending Level II. Grade and Drain Level I is a prerequisite for Grade and Drain Level II. In order to take Grade and Drain Level II a participant must successfully pass the Grade and Drain Level I exam with a passing score.

The qualification for both trainings are valid for five years. After five years, an individual will need to take both Level I and Level II in accordance in which they are due to renew.

Fees
$175
for local and state agencies
$200
for private industry

Payment is required in advance, except for employees of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Policy:

The Grade and Drain qualification program was created in accordance with FHWA’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction” policy and KM 64-001-08, which both state that all sampling and testing data to be used in the acceptance decision or the IA program shall be executed by qualified sampling and testing personnel. Participants must successfully complete Level I training before attending Level II. Grade and Drain Level I is a prerequisite for Grade and Drain Level II. In order to take Grade and Drain Level II a participant must successfully pass the Grade and Drain Level I exam with a passing score.

The qualification for both trainings are valid for five years. After five years, an individual will need to take both Level I and Level II in accordance in which they are due to renew.

A copy of FHWA’s “Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction” policy can be found here.

A copy of KM 64-001-08 can be found here.