Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Professional Regulatory BOARD of ARCHITECTURE (PRBoA)
Architecture Licensure Examinations (ALE)

SUBJECT: BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, UTILITIES & STRUCTURAL CONCEPTUALIZATION

___________________________________________________________________________________________
WARNING: If there are conflicts between a stated word and the number/amount/ figure described, the stated /
spelled word shall prevail. Should there be conflicts between two (2.0) stated quantities, the higher figure shall
prevail.

1. Usual capacity of an elf truck of commercial hardwares?

a. 1.0-1.5 cu.m
b. 2.0-3.0 cu.m
c. 3.0-4.0 cu.m
d. 4.0-5.0 cu.m
2. Commercial weight of 1 bag of cement in the Philippines?
a. 40 kgs
b. 45 kgs
c. 50 kgs
d. 60 kgs
3. Minimum available commercial length of a lumber?
a. 6’
b. 8’
c. 10’
d. 12’

4. Identify:
a. Honeycombing
b. Spalling
c. Crazing
d. Drying shrinkage

5. Identify:
a. Honeycombing
b. Spalling
c. Crazing
d. Drying shrinkage
6. What is the minimum day of curing/ breaking of cylinder for compressive strength test?
a. 3 days
b. 28 days
 c. 28 days
d. 7 days

7. Identify:
a. Slump testing
b. Air content testing
c. Compression test
d. Temperature test

8. Identify:
a. Mortar finish
b. Stucco finish
c. Plaster finish
d. Concrete finish
9. What aggregate size is best for the ground floor slab?
a. ¾ inches
b. ½ inches
c. 1 ½ inches
d. 2 inches
10. On the figure below, where is it best used for?

a. Facade
b. Window
c. Skylight
d. Glass bridge
11. In site construction, back filling materials is estimated by?
a. Truckload
b. Cubic meter
c. Per sack
d. Per kilo
12. What is the best lighting to highlight a sculpture?
a. Halogen
 b. Sconce
c. Task light
d. Strip light
13. Who manufactures local Vinyl tiles?
a. Kent
b. Diamond
c. Matimco
d. Armstrong
14. The leading provider of quality of architectural and structural wood products in the Philippines?
a. Matimco
b. Artic Forest
c. Filtra Timber
d. Timberco
15. What type of glass is best used in railing of a shopping mall?
a. Laminated glass
b. Tempered glass
c. Flat glass
d. Annealed glass
16. How many .60 x .60m acoustic tiles for ceiling is needed for a 20.0 meter by 30.0 meter ceiling?
a. 1670 pcs
b. 1900 pcs
c. 1500 pcs
d. 2000 pcs
17. Local manufacturer of pre-stressed bars.
a. Benedicto Steel Group
b. Pag-asa Steel
c. Asia Steel
d. Unisteel
18. What is the lock housed within two holes bored at right angles to each other, one throught the face of a door and the
other in the door edge.
a. Door knob
b. Keyhole
c. Cylinder lock
d. Faceplate

19. Identify:
a. Integral waterproofing
b. Membrane waterproofing
c. Asphalt waterproofing
d. Cement type waterproofing
20. Identify:
a. Integral waterproofing
b. Waterproofing coatings
c. Asphalt waterproofing
d. Cement type waterproofing
21. Identify the figure below

a. Gravity hinge
b. Mortise hinge
c. Invisible hinge
d. Flap hinge
22. Identify gravity hinge on the figure below

23. How many holes are there in a CHB?

a. 2 holes
b. 3 holes
c. 4 holes
d. 5 holes
24. What is the standard size of marine plywood?
a. 1.20 x 3.0m
b. 1.20 x 2.40m
c. 1.30 x 3.0m
d. 2.30 x 4.20m
25. Where we would you best use the below?

a. Railing for a mall

b. Skylight of house
c. Railing for hotel at ground floor
d. Fire exit

26. Identify the figure below.

a. Back hoe
b. Loader
c. Scraper
d. Digger
27. Identify 4 in the figure below.
 a. Bottom chord
b. Gusset plate
c. Connection
d. Knee

28. Identify:
a. Polycarbonate
b. Thermoplastic
c. Plastic sheet
d. Acrylic

29. Identify:
a. Standard terrazo
b. Venetian terrazzo
c. Rustic terrazzo
d. Palladiana terrazzo

30. Identify:
a. Keyed joint
b. Wedge joint
c. Common dovetail joint
d. Bridle joint

31. Identify:
a. Dado joint
b. Wedge joint
c. Common dovetail joint
d. Cross lap joint
32. This type of hinge below is best used for?

a. PVC door c. Metal door

b. Timber door d. Fire door
33. The figure below is best used for?

a. Sliding door c. Sliding window

b. Sliding wardrove d. Cabinet door
34. The figure below is bese used for?

a. PVC window c. Metal window

b. Aluminum window d. Analoc window
35. Mixture of cement is 1:3:5:7 is normally used for?
a. Beam c. Slab
b. Mortar joint d. Plant boxes

36. The figure given below is best used for?

 a. Beam c. Girder
b. Walls d. Truss
37. Where would you normally used the figure below?

a. For beam c. For columns

b. For bridges d. For slab
38. Where would you normally used the below?

a. Beam c. Column
b. Footing d. Slab
39. What do you call the popular local supplier of steel?
a. Steel Asia c. Supra Steel
b. Phil Steel d. International Steel
40. What is the diameter of rebars that would you use for firewall and perimeter of the building?
a. 12mm c. 10mm
b. 20mm d. 16mm
41. What is the minimum diameter of rebars for stirrups?
a. 12mm c. 10mm
b. 20mm d. 16mm
42. At the ground floor of a building with an area of 22m x 20m and a thickness of 4 inches for its slab, how many truckload
of sand would you use?
a. 5 c. 9
b. 4 d. 10
43. It is local major supplier of long span roofing and steel decking?
a. Dwightsteel c. Supra steel
b. Cumbro steel d. EM steel
44. The figures shown below is consists of parallel chords and a triangular web system is called
 a. Open Web Steel Joist
b. Open Deck Truss
c. Flat Truss
d. Joist Truss
45. What is the most cost-effective roofing?
a. Long span
b. GI roof
c. Color roof
d. Shingles
46. What steel section is commonly used for exposed structures?
a. Tubular
b. Angular
c. Channel
d. Flange
47. This fitting shown in the figure below has various configurations, its normally used for?

a. Hanger connector
b. Spider connector
c. Glass connector
d. Pipe hanger connector
48. What do you call fitting shown in the figure below that is used to carry and connect glass ?
 a. Octopus connector
b. Spider clamp
c. Glass connector
d. 4- legged connector
49. A known manufacturer of locksets
a. Crown
b. Davies
c. HCG
d. Schalage

50. The figure below is used on Aluminium Glazed Doors. What do you call this?

a. Concealed door Closer

b. Pneumatic door Closer
c. Folding closer
d. Magnetic door closer
51. How many board foot is 50pcs – 50mmx 75mmx3m?
a. 200 bdft
b. 250 bdft
c. 150 bdft
d. 270 bdft
52. S4S refers to
a. Green Lumber
b. Rough Lumber
c. Finished Lumber
d. Green lumber
53. For a 10 cu.m. Class A concrete mix, how many bags of cement will you use?
a. 95 bags
b. 90 bags
c. 80 bags
d. 76 bags
54. What is the ratio of a concrete mix used for slab?
a. 1:1 ½:3
b. 1:2:4
c. 1:2 ½:5
d. 1:3:6
55. A concrete mixture of 1:2 ½:5 is classified as?
a. Class AA
b. Class A
 c. Class B
d. Class C
56. What is the strength of 1:2 ½:5 mixture?
a. 2500 psi
b. 3000 psi
c. 3500 psi
d. 4000 psi
57. A mixture of cement used for beam has a strength of?
a. 2500 psi
b. 3000 psi
c. 3500 psi
d. 4000 psi
58. If one gallon can paint 25 square meter of first coating for a walls, how many liters is required for a 10 x 30m double
wall?
a. 96 gallons
b. 100 gallons
c. 150 gallons
d. 92 gallons
59. How many square meters can 450 pcs of concrete hollow block of a fence can occupy?
a. 30sqm
b. 45sqm
c. 60sqm
d. 25sqm
60. How many truckload of ready mix concrete is needed for 40 x 50m second floor slab considering 150mm slab
thickness?
a. 20 loads
b. 30 loads
c. 25 loads
d. 50 loads
61. How many 4 x 8ft marine plywood would you use for 5 x 7m master’s bedroom ceiling?
a. 20 pcs
b. 13 pcs
c. 26 pcs
d. 15 pcs
62. For a public toilet with an area of 150 square meters, how many 12inches x 12 inches ceramic tiles would you order?
a. 1700 pcs
b. 1800 pcs
c. 1600 pcs
d. 1500pcs
63. Where would you use the figure below?

a. Glass holder
b. Toilet cubicle holder
c. Glass connector
d. Glass stopper
64. Where would you use the figure below?

a. Truss
b. Girder
c. Studs
d. Joist

65. The figure below is normally used for?

a. Steel truss
b. Timber truss
c. Metal beam
d. Metal brace

66. The figure below is normally used for?

 a. Wood frame nail plate
b. Nailer
c. Connector
d. Bracing
67. What do you call the figure below?

a. Built up section
b. Open web truss
c. Steel truss system
d. Bracing system
68. What do you call the figure below?

a. HDMI port
b. Serial port
c. Computer port
d. Serial connector
69. What do you call the figure below?

a. Glass hinge
b. Patch
c. Open hinge
d. Jault
70. What do you call the figure below?

a. Wire storage
b. Circuit breaker
c. Circuit cabling
d. Panel board
71. What do you call the figure below?

a. Flat slab
b. Flat girder
c. Pre-stressed slab
d. Mushroom column
72. What do you call the figure below?

a. Petit truss
b. Warren truss
c. Howe truss
d. Bridge truss
73. This kind of nail below is normally used for?

a. Construction
b. Dry walls
c. Ceiling
d. Furniture
74. What do you call the figure below?
 a. Rose knob
b. Knob rose
c. Lock rose
d. Scuthewon
75. Where would you normally use the figure below?

a. Door
b. Cabinet
c. Window
d. Glass door
76. Where would you normally use the figure below?

a. Door
b. Cabinet
c. Window
d. Glass door
77. Where would you normally use the figure below?

a. Siteworks
b. Laying out
c. Excavation
 d. Batterboard
78. What do you call the figure below?

a. Crosscut saw
b. Backsaw
c. Hammer saw
d. Hacksaw

79. What do you call the figure below?

a. Pay loader
b. Grader
c. Back hoe
d. Scraper
80. Identify 5 in the figure below.

a. Tie rod
b. Cross bracing
c. Cross tee
d. Tension wire
81. Identify:
a. Trowel
b. Screed
c. Power trowel
d. Darby

82. Identify:
a. Shear bolt
b. Deck bolt
c. Flange bolt

83. Identify 3 in the figure below.

a. Truss
b. Insulation
c. Walls
d. Metal
 84. Identify:
a. Double Glazing
b. Butt joint glazing
c. Glass mullion glazing
d. Face glazing

Figure 1
84. From the hospital patient’s room shown in figure 1, how many switches are there?
a. 4
b. 5
c. 3
d. 2
85. From the hospital patient’s room in figure 1, how many duplex receptacle outlet are there?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
86. From the Hospital Patient’s Room shown above, how many ceiling mounted lights are in T & B?
a. 1
b. 3
c. 2
d. 4
87. Copper pipes are classified as what ?
a. Rigid
b. Rigid and Soft
c. Flexible
d. Soft
88. Which should not be used for water main pipe?
a. Galvanized Iron
b. Stainless Steel
c. Ceramic
d. PVC
89. Which pipe is susceptible to UV rays?
a. Cast Iron
b. PVC
c. G.I Pipe
d. Lead
90. Water traps are used to prevent foul odor from coming out. Which of the following DOES NOT have a P-Trap?
a. Water Closet
b. c. Kitchen Sink
c. Lavatory
d. Floor Drain
91. For a T & B at the Ground Floor, which would you connect directly under a Floor Drain?
a. Sleeve
b. Elbow
c. P-trap
d. Nipple
92. What is the color of pipes used for steam?
a. Light Blue
b. c. Blue
c. Gray
d. Yellow
93. As per Sanitary Engineering Code, what is the color code for Drainage and Sewage pipe?
a. Orange
b. Black
c. Light Orange
d. Blue
94. As per Building Code, what is the color code for pipes carrying saltwater?
a. Green
b. Orange
c. Blue
d. Yellow
95. What is the main disadvantage of Centralized Aircon?
a. Noise from the AHU Room is hard to control
b. Cost
c. Room temperature can’t be controlled
 d. Ceiling height
96. Minimum Clearance from Floor of Pipes for airconditioning Units when crossing a halfway?
a. 2.30m
b. 2.10m
c. 2.50m
d. 2.40m
97. A device used to determine the air temperature of a room?
a. Thermometer
b. Wire gauge
c. Thermostat
d. None of the choices
98. What is the limitation in the installation of Split-Type AC?
a. Its tube shall not exceed 3m from the condenser to the evaporator
b. It shall not be located near the floor
c. Cost
d. Temperature
99. What do you call the component of a split-type aircon system which is located outside the house?
a. Condenser
b. Fan coil unit
c. Evaporator
d. None of the choices
100. If the room is humid and has low natural ventilation, what is the most economical solution?
a. Humidifier
b. Ceiling Fan
c. Exhaust Fan
d. Ventilator
101. Where would you locate a Window Type Aircon?
a. Middle of the Wall
b. Top of the Wall
c. Aligned with the Window Sill
d. Below the Window Sill
102. At a Manufacturing Plant, the office is at the 2nd Floor. The office is being cooled by a 2HP window type air conditioner
located beside a glass window. There is a ledge outside. Where is the best location for the ACCU?
a. Inside the office
b. At the ledge
c. Anywhere outside the office
d. None of the choices
103. Where would you find the Casette-type Aircon?
a. Floor
b. Wall
c. Ceiling
d. Floor
104. Which among the considerations will best increase the efficiency in air-conditioning?
a. Decrease Floor Area
 b. Increase mounting height of ACU
c. Decrease Ceiling Height
d. Decrease slope of roof
105. You purchased an air-conditioner at a local store and you noticed a yellow rectangular tag attached on all the units.
Upon closer inspection, you noticed that it is actually an Energy Guide. What does those big bold numbers stand for?
a. Energy Efficiency Ratio
b. Energy Consumption
c. Energy Efficiency Factor
d. Rated Power Input
106. What is the standard color of a ground wire?
a. Yellow
b. Blue
c. White
d. Green
107. What is the Minimum Size of Wire to be used for Service Drop?
a. 14 mm²
b. 8 mm²
c. 22 mm²
d. 3.5 mm²
108. An underground pit used for the temporary collection and storage of feces, excreta or fecal sludge as part of an on-site
sanitation system. It is usually lined by bricks or concrete, covered with a slab and need to be emptied frequently
a. Privy
b. Septic Tank
c. Cesspool
d. Latrine
109. Minimum Number of Septic Tank Compartment
a. 2
b. 3
c. 1
d. 4
110. A new house of the client will have a basement toilet for the drivers. The Sanitary Engineer recommends that the septic
Tank should be placed just below ground level so that it can be tapped directly to the sewer main, while the waste from
the basement toilet will be pumped to the Septic Tank. Is the Engineer’s decision correct?
a. Yes, it’s the most efficient and easiest way
b. No, Toilets should never be placed at the Basement
c. No, septic tank should be placed just below the Basement level, and the resulting effluent will be pumped instead to
the sewer.
d. Doesn’t matter
111. It is a conductor used to bypass part of an electrical circuit.
a. Circuit Breaker
b. Conduit
c. Jumper
d. ATA Slave
112. Which is not a protective device?
 a. UPS
b. Voltage Regulator
c. CATV
d. Surge Protector
113. Direct lighting that emphasizes an area or an object in a room thereby adding drama or style by highlighting certain
aspects of or in the room.
a. Highlight Lighting
b. Cove lighting
c. Accent Lighting
d. Up lighting
114. What is the angle of spotlight for walls and paintings?
a. 20 – 30 degrees
b. 30 degrees
c. More than 45 degrees
d. 50 degrees
115. Lighting provided by adjustable spotlights mounted along a narrow, ceiling or wall mounted metal track through which
current is conducted.
a. Track Lighting
b. Flood Lighting
c. Troffer Lighting
d. Indirect Lighting
116. This type of light provides 80% savings in consumption and emit bright light
a. CFL
b. Fluorescent
c. Incandescent
d. Mercury
117. Which among the following does NOT belong?
a. LED Light
b. Low Pressure Sodium
c. Metal Light
d. High Pressure Sodium
118. The Faucet at right is best use outside especially at a garden. What do you call this kind of faucet?
a. Threaded Faucet
b. Hose Bib
c. Garden Faucet
d. External Faucet
119. It automatically transfers electrical load between two sources, usually between a backup generator and the electrical
power utility source. It commands the backup generator to start, based on the voltage monitored on the primary supply.
When power returns, it will also revert the system back to the power utility and turn off the generator.
a. Transfer Switch (TS)
b. Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
c. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
d. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
120. What is RSC?
 a. Rigid Steel Cable
b. Rigid Steel Conductor
c. Rigid Steel Conduit
d. None of the choices
121. In a location where there is no provision for drainage line, what is the next best thing?
a. Store waste in tank and dispose sanitary fill
b. Use drain tiles connected to open field
c. Connect to the nearest creek
d. Any of the above
122. Minimum size of trap of shower drain
a. 3
b. 2
c. 4
d. 1½
123. Minimum size of floor drain (cover)?
a. 3” x 3”
b. c. 2” x 2”
c. 4” x 4”
d. None of the choices
124. Minimum width of an escalator as per ASME A17.1
a. 20 in
b. 24 in
c. 22 in
d. 26 in
125. Minimum height of an Elevator Machine Room?
a. 2.1 m
b. 2.0 m
c. 2.4 m
d. 2.7 m
126. Minimum depth of Elevator Pit
a. 0.5 m
b. 0.2 m
c. 0.4 m
d. 0.9 m
127. A device that automatically stop and maintain the elevator car within ½ inch of the landing regardless of the change in
load.
a. Stop-Go Operator
b. Automatic Two-Way Leveling Device
c. Homepark Device
d. Automatic Floor Actuator
128. In an Electric Elevator, this cable provides electrical power to the car and travel with the hoist.
a. Governor Rope
b. Conveying Cable
c. Travelling Cable
 d. Traction Cable
129. For the Elevator specs shown above, what is the loading capacity of the elevator having a rated power of 11KW?
a. 1500
b. 2000
c. 2500
d. 1800
130. For the Elevator specs shown above, what is the car size width of the elevator with a 3 ton capacity?
a. 1800
b. 3300
c. 2100
d. 3000
131. In Plumbing, a valve is used to regulate the flow of water. What is its counterpart in Electrical?
a. Convenience Outlet
b. Circuit Breaker
c. Switch
d. Fuse
132. Why do we use downlight/pinlight in stores?
a. Dramatic Effect
b. Gives the original tone of color and material
c. Emphasize the texture of the materials
d. To attract customers
133. What is the best Acoustical treatment for ceiling?
a. Plywood
b. Hardiflex
c. Gypsum
d. PVC
134. Light defining “somberness”
a. General Lighting
b. Spotlight
c. Diffused lighting
d. Indirect lighting
135. What foundation presents the most disturbance & potential damage to neighboring lots?
a. Bored Pile
b. Isolated footing
c. Sheet pile
d. Footing with tie Beams
136. Ready mix concrete should be tested at ___________.
a. Site
b. Office
c. Plant
d. ASTM
137. Your client asks you to erect a commercial building on what used to be a rice field? On what soil must the foundation
rest?
a. Soft
b. Hard
 c. Medium
d. Very hard
138. What happens to the newly placed concrete in the beams, slabs or columns if it is not properly vibrated?
a. Honeycomb
b. Slow to harden
c. The concrete will not strengthen
d. Ugly surface
139. Water used for concrete mix?
a. Clean water
b. distilled water
c. Potable water
d. hot water
140. What should be the size of a column at the ground floor if it has an 8m span?
a. 0.50m x 0.50m
b. 1.20m x 1.20m
c. 0.70m x 0.70m
d. 1.60m x 1.60m
141. What type of Foundation should be used so that the construction would not affect the adjacent structures?
a. Pile/Caisson
b. Sheet Pile
c. Strip Footing
d. Bed rock
142. Which of the following Structural Elements can be erected along a Side or Rear Property Line if the property is resting
on relatively flat terrain?
a. Firewalls and Perimeter Walls
c. End Wall
b. Retaining Wall
d. Zocalo Wall
143. The minimum thickness of one way slab unless deflections are computed if simply supported is
a. L/28
c. L/10
b. L/20
d. L/24
144. What is the elastic movement of loaded parts of a structure?
a. Strain
b. Deflection
c. Stress
d. Settlement
145. What is the most important determinant of concrete strength?
a. Water
b. Sand
c. Cement
d. Gravel
146. What wall is used to protect different levels?
a. Retaining wall
b. Tie beam
c. Cantilever Wall
d. Deep wall
147. Identify:
a. Stick system
b. Unitized system
c. Unit and mullion
d. None of the above

148. Identify:
a. Lift slab construction
b. Tilt up construction
c. Conventional slab
d. Free slab construction

149. Identify:
a. Dome construction
b. Space frame construction
c. Buckminster construction
d. Free form construction

150. Identify:
a. Loader
b. Grader
c. Scraper
d. Bulldozer