Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does BOD stand for in water quality assessment?

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (Correct answer)
Biological Oxygen Demand
Basic Organic Degradation
Bacterial Oxidation Dynamics

Correct answer: Biochemical Oxygen Demand

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measures the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by biological organisms when decomposing organic matter in a given water sample over a set period.

Question 2: Which track geometry parameter measures the difference in elevation between the two rails at a cross-section?

Cross-level (Correct answer)
Alignment
Gauge
Profile

Correct answer: Cross-level

Cross-level (also called cant or superelevation) measures the height difference between the two rails at any given cross-section of track.

Question 3: What number of different types of leveling staff are there?

5
2 (Correct answer)
3
4

Correct answer: 2

Leveling staffs, essential tools for measuring vertical distances in surveying, are broadly categorized into two main types. These are self-reading staffs, where the observer at the level reads the graduations directly, and target staffs, which require a staffman to adjust a movable target until it aligns with the instrument's line of sight.

Question 4: Bioremediation of contaminated soil uses which mechanism for cleanup?

Physical excavation and landfilling
Chemical oxidation with ozone
Microorganisms to degrade contaminants (Correct answer)
High-temperature incineration

Correct answer: Microorganisms to degrade contaminants

Bioremediation harnesses the metabolic activity of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) to break down or immobilize hazardous contaminants in soil and groundwater.

Question 5: What is the purpose of the activated sludge process in secondary wastewater treatment?

To remove grit and large solids
To biologically degrade dissolved organic matter using microorganisms (Correct answer)
To disinfect the effluent with UV light
To chemically precipitate phosphorus

Correct answer: To biologically degrade dissolved organic matter using microorganisms

The activated sludge process uses a biologically active suspension of microorganisms in an aeration tank to metabolize dissolved and colloidal organic matter from wastewater.

Question 6: What is the maximum allowable misclosure for a first-order leveling survey per mile according to FGCS standards?

24 mm × √K
3 mm × √K (Correct answer)
5 mm × √K
12 mm × √K

Correct answer: 3 mm × √K

First-order class I leveling allows a maximum misclosure of 3 mm × √K (where K is the distance in kilometers), making it the most precise standard.

Question 7: Which instrument uses electronic distance measurement (EDM) combined with an angle-measuring theodolite?

Level
Plane table
Total station (Correct answer)
Clinometer

Correct answer: Total station

A total station integrates an electronic distance measurement device with a digital theodolite, allowing simultaneous measurement of angles and distances.

Question 8: What is the environmental significance of the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in a stream?

It measures the rate of sedimentation
It determines the hardness of the water
It indicates the concentration of heavy metals
It reflects the ability of the stream to support aquatic life and indicates organic pollution levels (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It reflects the ability of the stream to support aquatic life and indicates organic pollution levels

DO levels indicate both the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the degree of organic pollution; low DO caused by BOD exertion stresses or kills fish and other organisms.

Question 9: What does GPS stand for in the context of modern surveying?

Ground Positioning Survey
Geodetic Projection System
Geographic Point Scan
Global Positioning System (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Global Positioning System

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides precise location and time information anywhere on Earth.

Question 10: What is the purpose of a bench mark (BM) in surveying?

To mark property boundaries
To measure horizontal distances
To serve as a permanent reference point of known elevation (Correct answer)
To record GPS satellite positions

Correct answer: To serve as a permanent reference point of known elevation

A bench mark is a permanent, stable monument with a precisely determined elevation used as a reference point for leveling surveys.

Question 11: In plastic analysis, the collapse load of a fixed-fixed beam of span L carrying a central point load P is:

4M_p/L
8M_p/L (Correct answer)
2M_p/L
6M_p/L

Correct answer: 8M_p/L

Three plastic hinges form (two at fixed ends, one at midspan); virtual work gives P_collapse = 8M_p/L.

Question 12: Highway design needs to be for .

Traffic developments
Present requirements
Present requirements and future requirements (Correct answer)
Traffic studies

Correct answer: Present requirements and future requirements

Highway design must account for both present and future requirements to ensure its long-term functionality, safety, and sustainability. This involves considering current traffic volumes and patterns, as well as projecting future growth in traffic, changes in vehicle types, and potential urban development. Designing for future needs prevents premature obsolescence and costly upgrades.

Question 13: Which of the following best describes the coefficient of consolidation (Cv)?

Volume of water expelled per unit area per unit time
Ratio of void ratio change to effective stress change
Parameter combining permeability and compressibility that governs consolidation rate (Correct answer)
Ratio of shear stress to normal stress at failure

Correct answer: Parameter combining permeability and compressibility that governs consolidation rate

Cv = k/(mv·γw), combining hydraulic conductivity and volume compressibility to describe how fast consolidation proceeds.

Question 14: A soil profile shows SPT N-values of 2-4 in the upper 5 m followed by N > 50 below. What foundation type is most appropriate for a heavily loaded column?

Grillage foundation on the soft clay
Mat (raft) foundation on the soft layer
Shallow spread footing bearing on the soft upper layer
Deep pile foundation driven to the dense layer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Deep pile foundation driven to the dense layer

N = 2–4 indicates very soft to soft ground incapable of supporting heavy loads; deep piles driven to the dense bearing stratum (N > 50) are required.

Question 15: Which air pollutant is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄)
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) (Correct answer)
Ground-level ozone (O₃)
Particulate matter (PM2.5)

Correct answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)

Acid rain results from SO₂ and NOₓ emissions (primarily from fossil fuel combustion) that react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids.

Question 16: A retaining wall has a saturated backfill with a water table at the surface. How does the presence of water affect the total lateral pressure on the wall?

Has no effect if drainage is provided
Reduces effective earth pressure to zero
Reduces total pressure because water lubricates soil particles
Increases total pressure significantly due to hydrostatic water pressure added to earth pressure (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Increases total pressure significantly due to hydrostatic water pressure added to earth pressure

With a high water table, both the effective earth pressure (using submerged unit weight) and full hydrostatic water pressure act on the wall, greatly increasing total lateral force.

Question 17: What is the primary purpose of a surge tank in a hydroelectric or water supply system?

To increase system pressure
To filter sediment from water
To store water for dry seasons
To reduce water hammer pressure fluctuations (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To reduce water hammer pressure fluctuations

A surge tank is a standpipe connected to a penstock that absorbs sudden pressure changes (water hammer) caused by rapid valve closure or load changes.

Question 18: What phenomenon occurs when pressure in a flowing liquid drops below its vapor pressure?

Turbulence
Surge
Water hammer
Cavitation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cavitation

Cavitation occurs when local pressure falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid, causing formation and collapse of vapor bubbles that can damage pump impellers.

Question 19: Which load combination per ASCE 7 governs the design of most structural members for strength?

D + L
1.2D + 1.6L (Correct answer)
1.4D
0.9D + 1.0W

Correct answer: 1.2D + 1.6L

The LRFD combination 1.2D + 1.6L typically controls the design of floor members because live load is the dominant variable.

Question 20: The closing error in a traverse survey is corrected using which method?

Barometric correction
Magnetic declination adjustment
Least squares adjustment or Bowditch (compass) rule (Correct answer)
Trigonometric interpolation

Correct answer: Least squares adjustment or Bowditch (compass) rule

Closing errors in a traverse are distributed using the Bowditch (compass) rule, which distributes error proportionally to the length of each side, or by least squares adjustment.

Question 21: The following is determined by a leveling staff:

Horizontal line of sight (Correct answer)
Vertical line of sight
Distance of points
Location of points

Correct answer: Horizontal line of sight

A leveling staff is a graduated rod used in conjunction with a leveling instrument to determine elevations. It is held vertically at a point, and the leveling instrument establishes a horizontal line of sight. The reading on the staff where it intersects this horizontal line of sight allows surveyors to calculate the relative height of that point.

Question 22: A pile foundation transfers load primarily through skin friction along its length. What type of pile is this classified as?

End-bearing pile
Caisson pile
Battered pile
Friction pile (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Friction pile

Friction (or floating) piles rely on skin friction along the pile shaft rather than point resistance at the tip to carry axial loads.

Question 23: Which pavement rehabilitation technique involves removing and replacing only the top layer of an existing asphalt pavement?

Full-depth reclamation
Slurry seal
Mill and overlay (Correct answer)
Crack sealing

Correct answer: Mill and overlay

Mill and overlay grinds off the deteriorated surface layer and places a new hot-mix asphalt overlay, restoring ride quality and surface friction.

Question 24: What is the term for the gradual time-dependent deformation of concrete under sustained load?

Shrinkage
Elastic rebound
Creep (Correct answer)
Settlement

Correct answer: Creep

Creep is the slow, plastic deformation of concrete under long-term compressive stress, even below the elastic limit.

Question 25: What is the hydraulic radius of a circular pipe flowing full with diameter D?

D/2
πD/4
D
D/4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D/4

For a full circular pipe, hydraulic radius R = Area/Wetted Perimeter = (πD²/4)/(πD) = D/4.

Question 26: Why are building supplies needed?

Building material not signifies structural existence
Building material signifies structural existence (Correct answer)
All of the above
Building material signifies bonding between the construction materials

Correct answer: Building material signifies structural existence

Building supplies are essential because they constitute the physical structure of any construction. Without these materials, a building cannot be erected or exist, as they provide the necessary form, strength, and enclosure. Thus, building material directly signifies and enables the structural existence of a construction.

Question 27: What is 'creep' in railway track terminology?

Vertical settlement of ballast
Longitudinal movement of rails due to traffic (Correct answer)
Lateral displacement of sleepers
Thermal expansion of welded rails

Correct answer: Longitudinal movement of rails due to traffic

Rail creep is the longitudinal movement of rails in the direction of traffic caused by temperature changes and braking/traction forces.

Question 28: Which hydrograph method estimates the runoff response of a watershed to a unit rainfall excess?

Unit hydrograph method (Correct answer)
Manning's equation
Green-Ampt infiltration model
Rational method

Correct answer: Unit hydrograph method

The unit hydrograph represents the direct runoff hydrograph resulting from one inch of rainfall excess uniformly distributed over the watershed.

Question 29: Another name for the safe bearing capacity is .

Safe bearing pressure
Net soil pressure
Ultimate bearing capacity (Correct answer)
Net safe bearing capacity

Correct answer: Ultimate bearing capacity

While not a direct synonym, the 'safe bearing capacity' is fundamentally derived from the 'ultimate bearing capacity.' The ultimate bearing capacity represents the maximum load a soil can withstand before shear failure, and the safe bearing capacity is calculated by dividing this ultimate value by a factor of safety. Therefore, the ultimate bearing capacity is the foundational limit upon which the safe capacity is based.

Question 30: Which error in leveling surveys accumulates proportionally to the square root of the distance traveled?

Systematic error
Random error (Correct answer)
Blunder
Instrumental error

Correct answer: Random error

Random errors in leveling accumulate in proportion to the square root of the number of setups or distance, following statistical principles of error propagation.

Question 31: In a pipe network, the Hardy-Cross method is used to solve for which unknown?

Pump head required
Pipe diameters
Flow distribution and head losses (Correct answer)
Water quality parameters

Correct answer: Flow distribution and head losses

The Hardy-Cross method is an iterative technique for finding the distribution of flows and head losses that satisfy continuity and energy equations in a pipe network.

Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE)

The Philippine Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE) administered by the PRC tests competency across mathematics, surveying, transportation, hydraulics, geotechnical, structural engineering, and construction over two days.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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