Preparing for the Ironworker Trade

Sue Grecki

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Grecki, Sue, 1956-

Preparing for the ironworker trade / Sue Grecki.

ISBN 978-1-926584-02-7

1. Numeracy. 2. Workplace literacy. 3. Structural steel workers--Training of. I. SkillPlan (Program) II. Title.

QA141.15.G744 2009 513 C2009-907362-5

Copyright © 2010Second edition 2011

To order copies of this publication, please contact:SkillPlan - BC Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council

Suite 405, 3701 Hastings StreetBurnaby, BC, V5C 2H6

Order online: www.skillplan.ca

This material is intended for individual use. The price of this publication is below market value to make it affordable for individual apprentices and to encourage purchase of class sets. No part of this material may be reproduced, repackaged or used for any commercial purpose or sold by any organization without permission in writing from SkillPlan.

iPreparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

About SkillPlan

SkillPlan, a joint labour and management initiative of the BC construction industry, was established as a not-for-profit society in March 1991. The Council is the industry’s response to an evolving workplace that requires greater writing, numeracy, problem solving and oral communication skills. SkillPlan believes that a solid foundation of these skills are part of an adult ’s life not only at work but in their unions and the wider community.

SkillPlan’s Workplace Educators are privileged to tutor hundreds of building trades apprentices and interact with technical instructors, training coordinators and the contractors who employ them. SkillPlan publications are dependent on this network to accurately reflect the Essential Skills needed on the job. Our thanks are extended to those organizations who allowed us to reprint their materials.

Appreciation is extended to Arne Johansen former Trade Improvement Coordinator Union 97 for sharing his expertise. Appreciation is also extended to the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers for contributing technical training materials and drawings. Thanks also to Bill Watkins, Instructor, and Mike McKoryk, Instructor, for allowing us to use their photographs.

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iiiPreparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................... v

Section 1: Math Foundations Using Your Calculator ................................................................. 1 Whole Numbers .......................................................................... 2 Decimals ..................................................................................... 5 Fractions ..................................................................................... 9 Ratio/Proportion ....................................................................... 15 Percent...................................................................................... 17 Averages ................................................................................... 24 Measurement ............................................................................ 25 Perimeter .................................................................................. 34 Area .......................................................................................... 37 Volume ..................................................................................... 39 Estimating Weight Loads .......................................................... 42 Pythagorean Theorem ................................................................ 45 Trigonometry .. ......................................................................... 47 Answer Key ............................................................................... 54

Section 2: Word Problems Using a Strategy to Solve Word Problems .................................. 74 Answer Key ............................................................................... 81

Section 3: Problem Sets Problem Set 1: Acetylene Cylinders ............................................. 84 Problem Set 2: Standard Types and Sizes of Bar Supports .......... 86 Problem Set 3: Nylon Web Slings .............................................. 88 Problem Set 4: Sling Lifting Angles .......................................... 90 Problem Set 5: Detail Drawings 1 .............................................. 92 Problem Set 6: Detail Drawings 2 .............................................. 94 Problem Set 7: Second Floor Framing Plan ................................ 96 Answer Key ............................................................................... 98

iv Preparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

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Introduction

vPreparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

IntroduCtIon

Who should use This publ icat ion?If you are interested in entering an Ironworker apprenticeship and want to practice your skills in Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy, then this workbook is for you. The purpose of this publication is to give you a quick review of these three Essential Skills.

What are Essential ski l ls?Essential Skills are skills that allow workers in every occupation to get the job done. They are not technical skills but the foundation or underlying skills people need to acquire knowledge and complete workplace tasks and daily activities. The nine Essential Skills are Reading Text, Document Use, Numeracy, Writing, Oral Communication, Working with Others, Thinking Skills, Computer Use and Continuous Learning.

What ski l ls does This publ icat ion cover?Preparing for the Ironworker Trade provides practice opportunities using Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy skills for typical applications in Ironwork. This publication will help you to successfully prepare for trade assessments which are part of intake requirements for further training.

For example, in one jurisdiction you may be asked to write the Ironworkers Trade Assessment (Union Local 97) International Association of Bridges, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Ironworkers. This assessment like many others does not require specific background knowledge about the ironworker trade.

After you have completed Preparing for the Ironworker Trade, you are ready to write most assessment tests. If you need more practice, go to Publications at www.skillplan.ca. Measurement and Calculation for the Trades is a helpful resource.

Ironworkers’ Trade Assessment

Name: ____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Introduction

vi Preparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

Reading TextReading Text means reading material that is in the form of sentences and paragraphs. Some examples of Reading Text are memos, bulletins, textbooks, detailed work orders, reports, journals and manuals. Different trades use specialized trade terms, vocabulary and jargon which makes the reading ironworkers are required to do more complex.

Ironworkers:

• read cutting and placement instructions on drawings.• read bulletins from their employers and unions to understand and apply new procedures for fall protection, accident reporting and scaffolding installation.• read trade publications to learn about training opportunities and new products.

The following box is an example of the kind of text an ironworker might have to read on the job or during technical training.

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Introduction

viiPreparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

document useDocument Use tasks involve different information displays. Words, numbers and icons are given meaning by their spatial arrangement. Some examples of document use are reading prints, drawings, signs, labels, lists and tables.

Ironworkers:

• locate data in tables and lists. For example, they locate beam weights and sling and bolt sizes in specification tables. They locate bolt and beam codes in material lists.

• review assembly drawings to locate assembly sequences for columns, beams, reinforced structures and decorative steel to verify the order and size when loading onto crane chokers.

• locate dimensions and other features on construction drawings. For example, they locate dimensions and angles on drawings. They may examine drawings to understand the construction sequence of steel and steel reinforced structures.

The following box is an example of the kind of document an ironworker might refer to on the job or during technical training.

Introduction

viii Preparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

NumeracyNumeracy refers to using numbers and thinking in quantitative terms on the job and during technical training. On the job, math is used to solve problems that get the work done accurately the first time.

Ironworkers:

• measure the lengths, widths and height and placement angles of columns, beams, curtain walls, trusses and rebar for reinforced concrete.

• calculate distances and angles to lay out materials for cutting fabrication.• compare measurements to specified dimensions to ensure columns, beams,

wiring and fabricated and reinforced structures are correctly fabricated and installed.

• estimate load weights to determine sling sizes.

The following box is an example of a document that an ironworker uses to estimate the weight of the load on the sling legs.

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Introduction

ixPreparing for the Ironworker Trade – SkillPlan

How is Preparing for the Ironworker Trade Organized?There are three sections in Preparing for the Ironworker Trade. Each section is followed by an Answer Key for that section.

• Section 1: Math FoundationsSection 1 provides a review of basic math foundations and examples of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, ratio/proportion, percent, averages, measurement, perimeter, area, volume, estimating weight loads, Pythagorean Theorem and trigonometry that you will need during technical training and on the job. There are practice questions for each topic. The Answer Key gives step by step solutions. The material in this section provides practice of skills that you may have forgotten because you have not used them in a long time. You may need to refer to other resources to relearn some topics.

• Section 2: Word ProblemsSection 2 demonstrates how to solve word problems. A strategy for locating information and rearranging numbers to set up the problem is included. Practice questions are provided. The Answer Key gives step by step solutions.

• Section 3: Problem SetsSection 3 provides practice in Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy. Questions are grouped with documents you might encounter during technical training or in a work situation. All the information needed to answer the questions can be located in the document provided. The Answer Key is included at the end of the section.