CME Structural Engineering & Facilities Management Flashcards
6 cards from real CME practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CME Structural Engineering & Facilities Management flashcards as text
Which phenomenon is a primary cause of concrete bridge deck deterioration in northern US states?
Answer: Chloride-induced reinforcing steel corrosion from deicing salts
Chloride ions from road deicing salts penetrate concrete and initiate corrosion of reinforcing steel, causing cracking and spalling in northern bridge decks.
What is the life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) approach used for in municipal facility and infrastructure decisions?
Answer: Evaluate total costs over the useful life including initial cost, maintenance, and end-of-life to find the most economical option
LCCA compares alternatives by summing all costs (construction, operation, maintenance, disposal) discounted to present value over the analysis period.
Under ADA Title II, what must municipalities ensure regarding their existing buildings and facilities?
Answer: Programs and services must be accessible, achieved through a transition plan identifying barriers to be removed
ADA Title II requires municipalities to make their programs accessible and develop transition plans to remove physical barriers in existing facilities over time.
What is the significance of the FEMA flood insurance rate map (FIRM) for municipal building and infrastructure siting?
Answer: It delineates 100-year and 500-year flood zones that govern construction requirements and mandatory flood insurance
FIRMs show special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) requiring flood insurance for federally backed mortgages and triggering local floodplain management regulations.
What does a geotechnical investigation (subsurface exploration) primarily provide for municipal infrastructure design?
Answer: Soil and rock properties (bearing capacity, settlement, groundwater) needed for foundation and earthwork design
Geotechnical investigations characterize subsurface conditions through borings and testing, providing engineers with soil strength, compressibility, and groundwater data for design.
What type of foundation is typically used when shallow soils cannot support structural loads and deeper competent material must be reached?
Answer: Deep pile or drilled shaft foundation
When near-surface soils are too weak or compressible, deep foundations such as driven piles or drilled shafts transfer structural loads to stronger soil or rock at depth.