Civil Engineering PE Surveying and Geomatics

Question 1

A surveyor measures a slope distance of 200.0 ft along a 5% grade. What is the horizontal distance?

Accepted Answer

199.75 ft

Answer

HD = SD × cos(θ) where θ = arctan(0.05) = 2.862°; HD = 200 × cos(2.862°) ≈ 199.75 ft.

Question 2

Convert the bearing S 45° W to an azimuth.

Accepted Answer

225°

Answer

S 45° W means 180° (due south) plus 45° toward west, giving an azimuth of 225°.

Question 3

A backsight of 8.42 ft is taken on a benchmark with elevation 100.00 ft. What is the height of instrument (HI)?

Accepted Answer

108.42 ft

Answer

HI = Benchmark Elevation + Backsight = 100.00 + 8.42 = 108.42 ft.

Question 4

A closed traverse has a linear misclosure of 0.42 ft and a total perimeter of 1,260 ft. What is the precision ratio?

Accepted Answer

1:3,000

Answer

Precision = 1:(perimeter/misclosure) = 1:(1,260/0.42) = 1:3,000.

Question 5

A horizontal curve has R = 600 ft and a central angle Δ = 30°. What is the arc length?

Accepted Answer

314.2 ft

Answer

L = (Δ/360°) × 2πR = (30/360) × 2π × 600 = 314.16 ft ≈ 314.2 ft.

Civil Engineering PE Practice Test