NCEES Civil Engineering PE Exam 3

Question 1

In a Critical Path Method (CPM) project schedule, the critical path is defined as:

Accepted Answer

The longest path through the project network, which controls the project duration

Answer

The shortest path through the project network

Answer

The path containing activities with the greatest resource demands

Answer

The path with the most probabilistic duration uncertainty

Question 2

In concrete mix design per ACI 318, the water-to-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) primarily governs:

Accepted Answer

Both compressive strength and durability (permeability resistance)

Answer

Workability and slump only

Answer

Setting time and rate of hydration only

Answer

Aggregate maximum size and gradation requirements

Question 3

A cohesive soil with a liquid limit (LL) of 55 and plasticity index (PI) of 25 plots above the A-line on the Casagrande plasticity chart. Per the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), this soil is classified as:

Accepted Answer

CH — high-plasticity clay (fat clay)

Answer

ML — low-plasticity silt

Answer

CL — low-plasticity clay

Answer

MH — high-plasticity silt (elastic silt)

Question 4

The modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) used for all grades of structural steel in AISC design is approximately:

Accepted Answer

29,000 ksi (200 GPa)

Answer

10,000 ksi (69 GPa)

Answer

57,000 ksi (393 GPa)

Answer

4,000 ksi (28 GPa)

Question 5

In a project CPM schedule, 'total float' for an activity is defined as:

Accepted Answer

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date

Answer

Extra budget reserved for schedule contingency in the activity

Answer

The number of parallel paths that can absorb a delay in this activity

Answer

Duration uncertainty expressed as one standard deviation

Question 6

Per ACI 318, the minimum clear concrete cover required for deformed reinforcing bars #5 and smaller in a cast-in-place slab not exposed to weather is:

Accepted Answer

3/4 inch (19 mm)

Answer

1/2 inch (13 mm)

Answer

1-1/2 inches (38 mm)

Answer

2 inches (51 mm)

Question 7

A geosynthetic geotextile placed as a separation layer between pavement subgrade and aggregate base primarily functions to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent migration of fine-grained subgrade soils into the coarser aggregate base under traffic loading

Answer

Increase the structural number (SN) of the pavement by replacing a base layer

Answer

Provide surface drainage of precipitation laterally away from the roadway

Answer

Eliminate the need for proofrolling and compacting the subgrade