NHIE Structural Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of roof framing system uses pre-engineered components manufactured off-site and delivered to the construction site?
- Stick framing
- Truss framing (Correct answer)
- Post-and-beam framing
- Balloon framing
Correct answer: Truss framing
Roof trusses are pre-engineered, factory-built components that are delivered and installed as a unit, as opposed to stick-framed roofs built rafter by rafter on-site.
Question 2: A home inspector observes that floor joists are notched at mid-span. What is the primary concern?
- The notch reduces the joist's fire resistance
- Notching at mid-span significantly reduces the joist's bending strength (Correct answer)
- The notch creates a moisture trap
- Notching is only a concern near bearing walls
Correct answer: Notching at mid-span significantly reduces the joist's bending strength
Notching floor joists at mid-span removes material at the zone of maximum bending stress, greatly reducing load-carrying capacity.
Question 3: What does the term 'bearing wall' mean in residential construction?
- A wall that contains insulation
- A wall that transfers structural loads to the foundation (Correct answer)
- A wall along the exterior perimeter only
- A wall with fire-rated assemblies
Correct answer: A wall that transfers structural loads to the foundation
A bearing wall carries vertical loads from above (roof, floors, or upper walls) and transfers them down to the foundation or another structural element.
Question 4: Horizontal cracking in a masonry block foundation wall most commonly indicates:
- Shrinkage during curing
- Lateral soil pressure exceeding wall capacity (Correct answer)
- Differential settlement
- Thermal expansion
Correct answer: Lateral soil pressure exceeding wall capacity
Horizontal cracks in masonry foundation walls are typically caused by excessive lateral pressure from soil or hydrostatic forces pushing inward.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'balloon framing'?
- Framing using large diameter round logs
- Wall studs run continuously from foundation sill to roof plate across all floors (Correct answer)
- A lightweight steel framing system
- Framing where each floor is a separate platform
Correct answer: Wall studs run continuously from foundation sill to roof plate across all floors
In balloon framing, wall studs run continuously from the sill plate to the top plate without interruption at intermediate floor levels.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a ridge board in conventional roof framing?
- To carry the full weight of the roof load
- To serve as a point of connection for opposing rafters at the peak (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for collar ties
- To provide lateral bracing for gable walls
Correct answer: To serve as a point of connection for opposing rafters at the peak
A ridge board is a non-structural member that simply provides a nailing surface where opposing pairs of rafters meet at the peak.
Question 7: When inspecting a crawl space, a home inspector finds that wood girders are resting directly on concrete piers without any separation. What is the primary concern?
- Fire hazard from proximity to concrete
- Moisture transfer from concrete to wood causing decay (Correct answer)
- The girder may slide off the pier
- Concrete will stain the wood
Correct answer: Moisture transfer from concrete to wood causing decay
Direct contact between wood and concrete allows moisture to wick into the wood, promoting decay and compromising structural integrity over time.
NHIE Structural Systems 2
Which type of roof framing system uses pre-engineered components manufactured off-site and delivered to the construction site?