ASCE Structural Engineering and Materials 5

Question 1

Under the NDS for wood design (ASD), what load duration factor CD applies to wind or seismic loads?

Accepted Answer

1.6

Answer

The NDS uses CD = 1.6 for the 10-minute duration of wind and earthquake loads.

Question 2

How does the compressive strength of sawn lumber parallel to the grain compare with strength perpendicular to the grain?

Accepted Answer

Parallel is much greater

Answer

Wood fibers loaded along their length are far stronger than when they are crushed across the grain.

Question 3

What mechanism transfers load in a slip-critical bolted steel connection at service loads?

Accepted Answer

Friction between the faying surfaces

Answer

Slip-critical connections use pretensioned bolts, so load passes through friction on the faying surfaces.

Question 4

What is the effective throat of an equal-leg fillet weld with leg size w?

Accepted Answer

0.707w

Answer

For a 45° fillet weld, the throat is w·sin45° ≈ 0.707w.

Question 5

At any point on a beam, the slope of the bending moment diagram equals:

Accepted Answer

The shear force

Answer

dM/dx = V, so the moment diagram's slope equals the shear at that point.

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Certification Practice Test