#5

I returned to the Buckeye self storage job site to test the seconded foot of fill placed. In addition to the Buckeye self storage job I was given two more job sites to visit.  After observing and testing the compacted fill placed on the Buckeye self storage job site I was off to my next two site visits. My next job sites were in Gilbert. I had to pick up concrete samples, and bring the back to the lab. The concrete samples are cast to test the strength of the concrete. The concrete samples are stored in the lab in a wet room, and broke  7, and 28 days after they were cast. If the 28 day break does not meet the designed strength then a 56 day break is performed. My work load is begging to increase at a moderate pace. The rest of my week will conclude with the same responsibilities as I had today.

#4

The next day I returned to the Buckeye self storage job site. When I pulled in to gate I noticed that the contractor had six building pads excavated to three feet below the bottom of footings. The bottom soils were excavated into natural soils per the soils report. I approved the bottoms of the building pads and allowed them to start placing compacted fill. I spent the rest of the day on site as the contractor added water and processed the soil. The contractor had placed and compacted the first foot of fill and was ready for a test at 2:30 p.m. I took twelve density test on the building pads. All of the test met the minimum 95% compaction. When I was finished with the tests, I made plans to come back tomorrow to test the next foot of fill.

#3

I have been with PSI for about three days. Today was my first day in the field. I was sent to a job site in Buckeye to observe and test compacted fill placed for a new self- storage facility. I was assigned my own truck, where I am responsible for maintenance and care. When I arrived on the job site I noticed that the job site was clean and clear, because the project was in the first phase of construction. The first thing I did was introduced myself to the contractor. We had a meeting on their game plan to satisfy the engineer’s recommendations. The engineer wrote in the soils report that the building pads must be removed to three feet of bottom of footing and re-compacted to a minimum %95 compaction. I explained the engineer’s requirements, and that I would be testing the compacted fill placed every vertical foot placed. The meeting concluded with me coming back tomorrow to observe the bottom excavation of the storage buildings.

#2

 I am interning for a company called PSI. PSI stands for Professional Service Industries, Inc and is a geotechnical engineering, construction material testing, environmental consulting and facilities engineering firm. PSI is nation wide with over 125 locations. I currently work at the Tempe location as a field technician. I am responsible for testing and compliance of construction materials used. My responsibilities include inspecting and testing soil compaction, footings, rebar, concrete, and asphalt. I am responsible to make sure material and methods used adhere to city/regional codes and the engineers recommendations. I have to read site plans and job reports to find out these recommendations. My first few days with PSI were spent on the computer completing safety and orientation videos. I had to complete numerous quizzes after each video. The videos were full of useful information that I did not take for granite. A construction job site can be a very dangerous place if not fully trained. 

#1

Hello all! My name is Mike Scarpitta. I would like to use this first blog to introduce my self before you come along with me on my intern adventure. I am in my senior year at ASU. I was a transfer student from Los Angeles California. I am majoring in Urban and Metropolitan Studies, and minoring in Urban Planning. I truly love my major and minor! I have found each one of my classes fascinating! I am 26 years old. I got a late start on college. I worked in the construction field after high school, and it took all of two years to convince me to go back to school! However I am very grateful for the knowledge I learned from construction. It gave me many skills and I still have a passion for construction that I use on a daily basis. When I buy my own house I am going to some pretty awesome remodeling! My hobbies consist of fishing, hiking, and camping. I also enjoy sports. I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan when it comes to football because I spent my childhood living, and there going to games. When it comes to baseball and basketball I subscribe to the Dodgers and Lakers! I know I know… I can already hear your jealousy! Well I guess that sums up me right now. Stay tunes for my adventures from PSI.