Civil Engineering PE Basic Civil Engineering PE 4

Question 1

A column with both ends pinned has an effective length factor (K) of:

Accepted Answer

1.0

Answer

A pin-pin column has K = 1.0, meaning the effective length equals the actual unbraced length.

Question 2

In hydrology, the Rational Method formula Q = CiA is used to estimate peak runoff. What are the units of 'i' in US customary units?

Accepted Answer

in/hr

Answer

In the Rational Method, 'i' is the rainfall intensity in inches per hour, 'A' is the drainage area in acres, and Q is in ft³/s (cfs).

Question 3

Terzaghi's general bearing capacity equation for a strip footing on c-φ soil includes which three terms?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion, surcharge, and self-weight of soil below footing

Answer

Terzaghi's equation q_ult = cN_c + qN_q + 0.5γBN_γ accounts for cohesion, overburden surcharge, and the self-weight of the soil wedge.

Question 4

Which ASCE 7 load combination governs for uplift on a roof during a wind event?

Accepted Answer

0.9D + 1.0W

Answer

The combination 0.9D + 1.0W uses minimum dead load to maximize net uplift, which governs when wind causes upward (negative) pressure on a roof.

Question 5

The Hazen-Williams equation is used for:

Accepted Answer

Pressure pipe flow in water distribution systems

Answer

The Hazen-Williams equation (V = 0.849·C·R^0.63·S^0.54) is an empirical formula specifically for pressure flow in water supply and distribution pipes.

Civil Engineering PE Practice Test

Civil Engineering PE Practice Test

Civil Engineering PE Basic Civil Engineering PE 4