Civil Engineering PE Prep 2

Question 1

A simply supported beam with a 20-ft span carries a uniformly distributed load of 2 kip/ft. What is the maximum bending moment?

Accepted Answer

100 kip-ft

Answer

Max moment for UDL = wL²/8 = 2×20²/8 = 100 kip-ft.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the 'modulus of elasticity' (E) for steel used in structural design?

Accepted Answer

29,000 ksi

Answer

The modulus of elasticity for structural steel is 29,000 ksi (200 GPa).

Question 3

A soil sample has a dry unit weight of 100 pcf and a specific gravity of solids Gs = 2.65. What is the void ratio?

Accepted Answer

0.65

Answer

e = (Gs × γw / γd) − 1 = (2.65 × 62.4 / 100) − 1 ≈ 0.65.

Question 4

During the Civil PE exam, which reference document is provided to all examinees?

Accepted Answer

NCEES PE Civil Reference Handbook

Answer

Only the NCEES PE Civil Reference Handbook is provided; all other codes must be memorized or not needed.

Question 5

A concrete mix has a water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.45. Increasing w/c generally results in which effect?

Accepted Answer

Decreased compressive strength

Answer

Higher w/c ratios increase porosity, reducing compressive strength per Abrams' rule.

Civil Engineering PE Practice Test