ASHI Structural Systems 5

Question 1

What is the purpose of a shear wall in residential construction?

Accepted Answer

To resist lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads in the plane of the wall

Answer

Shear walls are structural panels designed to resist in-plane lateral forces from wind or seismic activity, preventing racking of the building frame.

Question 2

An inspector finds a floor joist that has been notched at the bottom edge near mid-span. Why is this a deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Bottom-edge notching near mid-span cuts into the maximum tension zone of the joist

Answer

The bottom edge of a simply supported joist at mid-span is in maximum tension; notching there removes critical material and can cause catastrophic failure.

Question 3

During a home inspection, a pier-and-beam foundation is found to have several wood piers that are out of plumb. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Out-of-plumb piers create eccentric loading that reduces their load-carrying capacity

Answer

When a pier leans, the load is applied off-center (eccentric), introducing bending into a member designed only for compression, greatly reducing capacity.

Question 4

What is a 'point load' and why is it significant in home inspections?

Accepted Answer

A concentrated force applied to a small area that can overstress local framing

Answer

A point load is a concentrated force at a single location; without proper framing to distribute it, it can overstress beams, joists, or columns beneath it.

Question 5

What does an inspector look for when evaluating the condition of a wood girder in a basement?

Accepted Answer

Checking (surface cracks along the grain), end bearing length, and signs of decay or insect damage

Answer

Inspectors evaluate wood girders for surface checking, adequate bearing length at supports, decay, and evidence of wood-destroying insect damage.

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

ASHI Structural Systems 5