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Concrete Construction

Overview

Concrete Construction covers key concepts of concrete materials, properties, and safety, as well as horizontal and vertical installation techniques. Finishing, repair, and quality control content also sets learners up for job success.  

The two-level Concrete Construction curriculum complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for apprenticeship programs.    

Concrete Construction also supports multiple training pathways and credentials in four specific occupational area of concrete construction, including concrete placement, concrete formwork, concrete reinforcement, and concrete in highway systems.

Craft Snapshot

Journey Level
Assessment Available
Translation
Available
RECOMMENDED HOURS
265.5, includes Core
PUBLISHED
2020, 2nd Edition
NCCERconnect Deliver instruction using our pre-loaded content and course management tools, streamline training, and track results through the online gradebook. Students learn using the interactive eTextbook and Media Library with Active Figures that bring the material to life, anytime and anywhere they choose.
Not Available
LANGUAGES
English, Spanish
Introduction to Concrete Construction
10 Hours

Module ID 23101: Introduces the role of concrete in construction and identifies basic concrete properties and characteristics. Provides an overview of the concrete construction process, identifies opportunities available to concrete craftworkers, and describes the purpose and structure of apprenticeship programs.

Concrete Safety
7.5 Hours

Module ID 23102: Describes the role of OSHA in the workplace and presents safety hazards unique to the concrete construction environment, including the control of silica dust. Identifies and describes the PPE concrete craftworkers commonly require.

Fall Protection Orientation
8 Hours

Module ID 75901; from Fall Protection Orientation: Covers fundamental safety and hazard recognition concepts. Introduces the role of OSHA in regulating elevated work on the jobsite and the causes, costs, and consequences of falls. Presents proper use of fall protection equipment; safe use of stairs, ladders, and scaffolds; and guidelines for use of aerial lifts.

Concrete Tools and Equipment
12.5 Hours

Module ID 23104: Introduces trainees to a wide variety of both hand tools and powered equipment used in concrete construction, including screeds, floats, trowels, saws, grinders, and mixing equipment. Tips for the safe use of tools and equipment are also provided.

Preparing for Placement
15 Hours

Module ID 23105: Provides an overview of common concrete construction tasks that take place before placement begins. Covers elevations and subgrade preparation, as well basic form types, joints, and pre-placement inspections.

Reinforcing Concrete
15 Hours

Module ID 27304; from Carpentry Level Three: Explains the selection and uses of different types of reinforcing materials. Describes requirements for bending, cutting, splicing, and tying reinforcing steel and the placement of steel in footings and foundations, walls, columns, and beams and girders.

Foundations and Slabs-On-Grade
20 Hours

Module ID 27307; from Carpentry Level Three: Covers basic site layout safety, tools, and methods; layout and construction of deep and shallow foundations; types of foundation forms; layout and formation of slabs-on-grade; and forms used for curbing and paving.

Vertical Formwork
22.5 Hours

Module ID 27308; from Carpentry Level Three: Covers the applications and construction methods for types of forming and form hardware systems for walls, columns, and stairs, as well as slip and climbing forms. Provides an overview of the assembly, erection, and stripping of gang forms.

Horizontal Formwork
15 Hours

Module ID 27309; from Carpentry Level Three: Describes elevated decks and formwork systems and methods used in their construction. Covers joist, pan, beam and slab, flat slab, composite slab, and specialty form systems and provides instructions for the use of flying decks, as well as shoring and reshoring systems.

Site Concrete
35 Hours

Module ID 23204: Describes the construction of various placements that are common to many building construction projects, including curbs and gutters, stairways and steps, walks, driveways, and patios.

Finishing Concrete
20 Hours

Module ID 23120: Identifies and describes how to apply basic concrete finishing techniques. Includes coverage of floating and troweling, edging, jointing, and various surface finishes.

Curing and Protecting Concrete
10 Hours

Module ID 23108: Describes the essential concrete curing and protection process. Introduces various approaches to curing and the primary factors that significantly affect the resulting strength and durability of the placement.

Superflat Floors
20 Hours

Module ID 23207: Describes random-traffic and defined-traffic superflat floors and the flat and level characteristics that set them apart from other slabs. Provides insight into the finishing process and describes how various floor-measurement instruments are used to document the results.

Surface Treatments
15 Hours

Module ID 23208: Provides detailed coverage of the many methods used to prepare a concrete surface to meet a specific surface profile, from detergent scrubbing to rotomilling. Also identifies and describes how to apply shakes, protective sealants and coatings, and self-leveling toppings and underlayments.

Properties of Concrete
15 Hours

Module ID 23212: Presents the many possible components of concrete, including the desirable properties of the chosen aggregate and water. Includes a review of chemical and mineral admixtures, fibers, and special types of concrete. Also covers the basics of concrete testing.

Estimating Concrete Quantities
12.5 Hours

Module ID 23202: Reviews basic mathematical calculations for area and volume as well as metric conversions to prepare trainees for the module topic. A review of drawings and their interpretation is also provided, along with guidance for estimating the volume of concrete needed in placements of various shapes.

Tilt-Up Wall Systems
17.5 Hours

Module ID 27310; from Carpentry Level Three: Describes how tilt-up concrete construction is used and how tilt-up panels are formed, erected, and braced. Covers the installation of rebar and types of embedments used to lift and brace the panels. Also covers methods used to create architectural and decorative treatments.

Troubleshooting and Quality Control
15 Hours

Module ID 23220: Defines quality control and discusses fresh concrete troubleshooting and problem resolution. Provides detailed coverage of concrete field tests and specimen preparation according to ASTM standards.

Concrete Repair
20 Hours

Module ID 23210: Provides an overview of the concrete repair process, focusing on repairing concrete with concrete. Explains how hidden concrete faults and embedments are located and how to properly prepare reinforced concrete for placement of the repair material. Coverage of pre-placement and post-placements inspections is also provided.

Paving
12.5 Hours, Elective

Module ID 36108; from Heavy Highway Level Two: Describes paving operations, paving equipment, recycling processes, and quality control requirements for both concrete and hot-mix asphalt paving.

Architectural Finishes
22.5 Hours

Module ID 23205: Identifies and describes various architectural finishes and how they are applied. Covers the coloration of concrete surfaces and how to use form liners and stamps to create texture. Provides detailed guidance on the creation of exposed aggregate finishes.

Industrial Floors
27.5 Hours

Module ID 23206: Presents this key segment of concrete flatwork and the characteristics of industrial floors while explaining how industrial-class floors are created, including pre-placement considerations.

Interim Credentials

Concrete Construction curriculum provides four interim credentials culminating in a full craft completion: Concrete Placement, Concrete Formwork, Concrete Reinforcement, and Concrete in Highway Systems.

Contributing Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are a vital part of NCCER’s Curriculum development process. SMEs are construction and maintenance professionals who have journey-level experience and have experience teaching their trades to others.

View Subject Matter Experts
Contributing Subject Matter Experts
Below is a list of subject matter experts for this craft:
B

Bob Holtz, California DOC
Brian Killingsworth, NRMCA
Brian McNamee, Hubbard
Brad Rogers, Structural Systems Repair Group

C

Colin Lobo, NRMCA

D

Dave Marofsky, MAPEI

E

Eron Chambers, Hubbard

F

Fred Goodwin, BASF

J

John Hausfeld, Baker Concrete

K

Kathrik Olba, NRMCA
Ken Lozen, ICRI

M

Mike Schneider, Baker Concrete
Mike Tholen, ACI

N

Nick Lehman, Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates

P

Paul Albaneli, Albaneli Cement Contractors
Paul Beagley, Phaze Concrete
Paul Farrell, Carolina Restoration & Waterproofing
Phil Diekemper, Ceco

R

RJ Irwin, Stephens & Smith Construction

S

Steve Lloyd, Lloyd Concrete

T

Ted Jessop, Phaze Concrete

Instructor Resources

Instructor Toolbox

NCCER’s Instructor Toolbox provides easy access to important instructional resources for your training program. You’ll find downloadable course planning tools, examples of classroom activities and projects, and instructor tips and best practices to help you enhance your program.

Assessments

NCCER’s assessments evaluate the knowledge of an individual in a specific craft area and provide a prescription for upgrade training when needed. All assessments are based upon the NCCER Curriculum and have been developed in conjunction with subject matter experts from the industry. Click the assessment title below to open its specifications.

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