Course Objectives: This course prepares construction and materials personnel with the basic skills and guidance to properly perform field testing and inspection of subgrade, embankment, and shallow foundations for various structures. This course also describes common geotechnical problems and the remedial actions generally used to correct them.
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
• Determine the field moisture content along with the in situ wet and (corresponding) dry densities
• Use the Family of Curves and One-Point Proctor to determine the Standard Dry Density (SDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of a given soil
• Determine percent compaction and percent of OMC
• Determine soil stability and strength in the field using a Static and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
• Properly inspect embankment construction
• Check roadway subgrades and determine undercut and treatment depths
• Perform inspection and soil testing to verify or establish the adequacy of foundation material for box culverts and shallow structure foundations
Successful completion of this course meets consultant eligibility requirements for Department prequalification only. This course does not fulfill Quality Management System certification requirements for AASHTO accreditation.
Course Materials: Soils Field Testing and Inspection: Course Reference Manual
If an updated version is available, it will be provided in class.
Students will need to bring a pencil, calculator and note pad with them.
Enrollment: Please have one coordinator from your company or agency contact Mr. Brad Young at 217-782-2541 or preferably by email at Brad.young@illinois.gov to enroll students in a class. Each student will be put on a waiting list for the class of their choice. Two to three weeks prior to class start the student or coordinator will be contacted with confirmation of enrollment. If the student cannot be enrolled in the class, they will be contacted and asked for their second class choice. There is no fee for this class at this time. You will receive 12.0 PDH for taking this class if you need them.
Schedule: Each class is three days. The first day starts at 1:00pm and ends at 4:30pm. The second day starts at 8:15am and lasts until 4:30pm. The third and final day starts at 8:15am and ends around noon. The 2025-26 training schedule is listed below:
Class Dates/Location:
IDOT District One: Materials Laboratory
101 West Center Court
Schaumburg, Illinois 60196
• December 9 - 11, 2025
• February 17 - 19, 2026
• March 17 - 19, 2026
IDOT District Three: “The Starved Rock” Conference Room
700 East Norris Drive
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
• March 3 - 5, 2026
IDOT District Six: Conference Room 427A
3215 Executive Park Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703
• January 6 - 8, 2026
IDOT District Eight: District 8 Classroom
1102 Eastport Plaza Drive
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
• March 24 - 26, 2026