Civil – Structural Depth Exam

I. Analysis of Structures 14
A. Loads and load applications 4
1. Dead loads
2. Live loads
3. Construction loads
4. Wind loads
5. Seismic loads
6. Moving loads (e.g., vehicular, cranes)
7. Snow, rain, ice
8. Impact loads
9. Earth pressure and surcharge loads
10. Load paths (e.g., lateral and vertical)
11. Load combinations
12. Tributary areas
B. Forces and load effects 10
1. Diagrams (e.g., shear and moment)
2. Axial (e.g., tension and compression)
3. Shear
4. Flexure
5. Deflection
6. Special topics (e.g., torsion, buckling, fatigue, progressive collapse, thermal deformation,
bearing)

II. Design and Details of Structures 20

A. Materials and material properties 5
1. Concrete (e.g., plain, reinforced, cast-in-place, precast, pre-tensioned, post-tensioned)
2. Steel (e.g., structural, reinforcing, cold-formed)
3. Timber
4. Masonry (e.g., brick veneer, CMU)
B. Component design and detailing 15
1. Horizontal members (e.g., beams, slabs, diaphragms)
2. Vertical members (e.g., columns, bearing walls, shear walls)
3. Systems (e.g., trusses, braces, frames, composite construction)
4. Connections (e.g., bearing, bolted, welded, embedded, anchored)
5. Foundations (e.g., retaining walls, footings, combined footings, slabs, mats, piers, piles,
caissons, drilled shafts)

III. Codes and Construction 6

A. Codes, standards, and guidance documents 4
1. International Building Code (IBC)
2. American Concrete Institute (ACI 318, 530)
3. Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI Design Handbook)
4. Steel Construction Manual (AISC)
5. National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS)
6. LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (AASHTO)
7. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7)
8. American Welding Society (AWS D1.1, D1.2, and D1.4)
9. OSHA 1910 General Industry and OSHA 1926 Construction Safety Standards
B. Temporary structures and other topics 2

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1. Special inspections
2. Submittals
3. Formwork
4. Falsework and scaffolding
5. Shoring and reshoring
6. Concrete maturity and early strength evaluation
7. Bracing
8. Anchorage
9. OSHA regulations
10. Safety management

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1. A truss system is simply supported over a 45 ft span as shown in
the figure below.

P = 300 kips

C D

20 ft
B
A
E F

15 ft 15 ft 15 ft

The modulus of elasticity for all members is 30,000 ksi and the
cross sectional area of all members is 10 in2. Determine the axial
force occurred in member BD and solve for the elongation of
member BD due to this axial force.

a) 125 kips (tension) ; 0.125 in

b) 125 kips (compression) ; 0.125 in
c) 175 kips (tension) ; 0.175 in
d) 175 kips (compression) ; 0.175 in

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 PROBLEM 1 SOLUTION:

AXIAL FORCE

Based on structure’s equilibrium, we can obtain the vertical reaction at

point B by using the following equation.

Draw free-body diagram at point B and check the equilibrium of Y

direction at point B:

D
20 ft

FBD

B
F FBF

15 ft

VB= 100 kips

After obtaining the axial force in the member BD, calculate the
elongation of member BD by using the following equation. Note that 1
ft equals to 12 in.

(Answer B)

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 2. Which of the following load is not considered as lateral load:

a) Earthquake
b) Wind
c) Rain
d) Soil pressure

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 PROBLEM 2 SOLUTION:

LOADS

Lateral load is a type of loading which is applied horizontally to the

structural system. This kind of load causes lateral deformation of
structure (horizontal deformation).

Rain load is determined as the applied loading due to some amount of

water accumulated on a roof from blockage of the primary drainage
system. Therefore, rain load is considered as one of gravity loads.

(Answer C)

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 3. A simply supported beam is given a uniformly distributed dead
load 3 kips/ft and a concentrated live load 10 kips in the mid-
span of AB. Determine the ultimate shear force of this beam
(use load combination – strength design on ASCE 7).

PL = 10 kips

wD = 3 kips/ft
A
D B C

12 ft 12 ft 12 ft

a) 32 kips
b) 42 kips
c) 52 kips
d) 62 kips

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 PROBLEM 3 SOLUTION:

SHEAR FORCE

Based on ASCE 7, the load combination – strength design involving

dead load (D) and live load (L) shall be designed by using:

1.2D + 1.6L

Based on structure’s equilibrium, we can obtain the vertical reaction at

point B by using the following equation.

Then, the vertical reaction at point A can be obtained by considering

the equilibrium of vertical forces.

Now we can solve the ultimate shear force ( ) by calculating at each

point.

Point A :

Point D :

(right before the concentrated

live load)

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 (right after the
concentrated live load)

Point B :

(right before vertical

support)

(right after vertical

support)

Point C :

PL = 10 kips

wD = 3 kips/ft
A
D B C

12 ft 12 ft 12 ft

VB = 105.2 kips

40.4 kips 43.2 kips

0 0
-2.8 kips

-18.8 kips shear

diagram

-62 kips

From the calculations above, we can determine that the ultimate shear
force is occurred at point B right before vertical support (62 kips).

(Answer D)

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 4. Solve for maximum deflection of this cantilever beam. Given
that the modulus of elasticity is 3,500 ksi and the cross-
sectional area is (8 x 12) in2.

a) 0.62 in
b) 0.73 in
c) 0.82 in
d) 0.93 in

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 PROBLEM 4 SOLUTION:

DEFLECTION

In the case of cantilever beam, the maximum deflection is occurred in

the free-end point. Therefore, we should calculate the deflection in
point B.

The maximum deflection at the free-end can be calculated as follows.

(Answer C)

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 5. From the figure shown below, find the normal stress of member
AB.

12 in
30 lb 80 lb

2 ft 2 ft

A B C

a) 0.4 psi (tension)

b) 0.5 psi (tension)
c) 0.6 psi (compression)
d) 0.7 psi (compression)

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 PROBLEM 5 SOLUTION:

NORMAL STRESS

Before we calculate the normal stress , we need to obtain the force of

element AB ( ) first.

From the free-body diagram, we can find .

(Answer D)

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6. Which of the following statement is true?

a) Maximum bending moment occurred at a point where maximum

shear force occurred.
b) Maximum bending moment occurred at a point where zero shear
force occurred.
c) Maximum bending moment occurred at a point where any
supports (hinge, fixed, roller) are located.
d) Maximum bending moment always occurred at the mid-span of a
beam.

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 PROBLEM 6 SOLUTION:

BENDING MOMENT

By understanding the relationship between shear force diagram and

bending moment diagram, it is clear that the bending moment
diagram represents the area under the shear force diagram. The
relationship between shear force (Q) and bending moment (M) is
explained into this equation:

Where x represents the segment of structure.

Therefore, through mathematical way, we can get the result:

At every point the shear force equals to zero, the bending moment will
have inflection point (either maximum or minimum).

(Answer B)

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7. Determine which of the following structures are considered as
statically indeterminate structure.

1 2

3 4 5

a) 1, 2, 3, 4
b) 1, 3, 4, 5
c) 1, 2, 3, 5
d) 2, 3, 4, 5

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 PROBLEM 7 SOLUTION:

BASIC CONCEPT OF STRUCTURE

A structure is called as statically determinate structure if the

equilibrium equation can solve all the unknown internal forces of
structure. Otherwise, the structure is considered as statically
indeterminate structure when the equilibrium equations are not
sufficient to solve the unknown internal forces of structure. It will need
compatibility and constitutive equation to solve indeterminate
structure problem.

Hint : Use (m + r – 2j) for truss and (3m + r – 3j) for frame structures.

m = # of members; r = # of reactions; j = # of joints/nodes

1 2

Degree = m + r – 2j = 16 + 3 – 2(8) = 3 Degree = 3m + r – 3j = 3(1) + 6 - 3(2) =3

3 4 5

Degree = 3(3) + 4 - 3(4) =1 Degree = 3(2) + 3 - 3(3) =0 Degree = 3(1) + 4 - 3(2) =1

(Answer C)

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8. Solve for the influence line of vertical support reaction at point B
(VB) for the structure below.

A
B C

5 ft 2 ft

0.4
+ + 0
0

a)

+
0
0
-
0.4

b)

+
0
0

c)

1.4
1

+
0
0

d)

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 PROBLEM 8 SOLUTION:

INFLUENCE LINE - LOADS

When we solve for influence line, we should assume that unit load of 1
is moving along the structure.

A
B C

5 ft 2 ft

The easiest way is do influence line by logic. If we put unit load of 1 at

point A, the vertical reaction at point B will be zero. Otherwise, if we
put unit load of 1 at point B, the vertical reaction at point B will be 1.

A
B C

5 ft 2 ft

VA = 1 VB = 0

1.4
A
C
B 1
5 ft 2 ft

VA = 0 VB = 1
1
+
0
0
A
B C

5 ft 2 ft

VA = 0.4 VB = 1.4

(Answer D)

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9. Determine the suitable location for distributed load to obtain
maximum positive bending moment at point I. Note: use influence line
to solve this problem.

A B I C D

2 ft 5 ft 3 ft 2 ft

a) Segment A-B
b) Segment B-C
c) Segment C-D
d) Segment A-D

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 PROBLEM 9 SOLUTION:

INFLUENCE LINE - LOADS

In order to obtain the maximum positive bending moment at point I,

we need to find the influence line for bending moment at point I.

Influence line for VB :

1.25 1
+
0 - 0
0.25

Influence line for VC :

1.25
1

0 +
- 0
0.25

Influence line for MI :

6.25

3.75
3
1.875

+
0 0
- -
0.75
1.25

By looking at the influence line for MI, it can be seen that the
maximum positive bending moment will be reached if the distributed
load is placed at segment B-C.

(Answer B)

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10. A retaining wall is built with section shown in the figure below.
Calculate the total soil pressure against the retaining wall at depth of
15 ft.

 = 100 lb/ft3
' = ° 15 ft
c' = 0

a) 345 psf
b) 445 psf
c) 545 psf
d) 645 psf

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 PROBLEM 10 SOLUTION:

EARTH PRESSURE LOAD

Based on Rankine theory,

Active earth pressure at depth = 15 ft:

(Answer B)

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11. A structure below is in equilibrium condition. The length of
member BE is 36 ft, while the length of member DF is 48 ft. Member
BE and DF have the same material properties and same cross-
sectional area. Determine the internal force in member DF shown in
the following figure. Note that the member AD is very stiff and the
compatibility requirement must be satisfied.

A C
D
B

P = 30,000 lb
F

3 ft 3 ft 6 ft

a) 22500 lb
b) 27500 lb
c) 32500 lb
d) 37500 lb

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 PROBLEM 11 SOLUTION:

COMPATIBILITY

PBE

A C
D
B

PDF
P = 30,000 lb
VC
F

3 ft 3 ft 6 ft

Compatibility equation:

Equlibrium equation :

Substitute PBE from compatibility equation to the equilibrium equation.

(Answer A)

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12. A (6 x 10) in2 beam has elastic modulus of 3,500 ksi. Calculate
the maximum deflection of this simply supported beam.

P = 30 kips

w = 2 kips/ft

5 ft 5 ft

a) 0.8 in
b) 0.8 in
c) 0.9 in
d) 1 in

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 PROBLEM 12 SOLUTION:

SUPERPOSITION METHOD - DEFLECTION

We can solve this problem by separating the loading, then calculate

the deflection of each loading case, and finally we do superposition of
both deflection.

1. The concentrated load of 30 kips

2. The distributed load of 2 kips/ft

Total deflection is the summation of both deflection.

(Answer C)

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13. A statically determinate structure with additional hinge at point C
is shown in the figure below. Determine the vertical reaction at point
B.

30 kips 50 kips

C
A B D

4 ft 4 ft 2 ft 2 ft 4 ft

a) 36.67 kips
b) 46.67 kips
c) 56.67 kips
d) 66.67 kips

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 PROBLEM 13 SOLUTION:

SUPPORT REACTION

Structure

30 kips 50 kips

A C
HA
B D

4 ft 4 ft 2 ft 2 ft 4 ft

VA VB VD

Equilibrium condition :

Hinge condition : 50 kips

C
D

2 ft 4 ft

VD

Substitute VD to Eq.3 to obtain VB :

(Answer C)

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14. A portal frame is illustrated in the figure below. Which of the
following segments are having no shear force?

20 kips

0.5 kips/ft

D E F G

4 ft
5 kips
C B

4 ft
A

8 ft 8 ft 4 ft

a) AC and DE
b) CD and BF
c) EF and FG
d) All options are false

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 PROBLEM 14 SOLUTION:

SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM

Solve the free-body diagram, then we can clearly see which segment
having no shear force.

0 8.5 8.5
D
2
+
0 +
0 0 F 0
0
C 5 0
-
F G
+
B
11.5 11.5 0
A
5 0
D E F

(Answer B)

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15. According to ACI 318-14, the design of reinforced concrete uses
LRFD concept, which has load factor and resistance factor. Determine
the resistance factor of strength design for shear, tension,
compression without spiral reinforcement, torsion. Note: write them by
order.

a) 0.75; 0.9; 0.65; 0.75

b) 0.65; 0.75; 0.9; 0.75
c) 0.9; 0.65; 0.75; 0.75
d) 0.75; 0.9; 0.75; 0.65

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 PROBLEM 15 SOLUTION:

Strength resistance factor (ACI 318-14):

Shear →

Tension →

Compression without spiral reinforcement →

Torsion →

(Answer A)

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16. A reinforced concrete beam with single reinforcement has a
cross-sectional view as follows.

20 in
2.5 in
3 #6

12 in

The compressive strength of concrete is 4000 psi and the steel

reinforcement uses Grade 60. Determine the design moment strength
of this beam section.

a) 80 kips-ft
b) 100 kips-ft
c) 120 kips-ft
d) 140 kips-ft

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 PROBLEM 16 SOLUTION:

CONCRETE MOMENT DESIGN

Given values in the problem:

Solve for under-reinforced condition:

Design moment strength:

(Answer B)

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17. A steel profile ASTM A992 W18x50 is placed to sustain a
concentrated load and distributed load as shown in the figure below.
Note that the applied loading has been factored.

Pu = 30 kips

wu = 3 kips/ft

10 ft 10 ft

Determine if the steel profile is compact or non-compact, then judge if

the steel profile is sufficient enough to sustain the loading (use LRFD
design based on AISC). Check the compactness only, by assuming the
beam is laterally supported.

a) Compact section, sufficient

b) Compact section, insufficient
c) Non-compact section, sufficient
d) Non-compact section, insufficient

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 PROBLEM 17 SOLUTION:

STEEL DESIGN

The ultimate moment for design is:

Check the compactness of section through equations or tables. Based

on steel profile table, this section is compact.

Given value in the questions:

Design moment strength:

(Answer A)

Note:

In case of no lateral support, the unbraced length of beam must be

checked and the lateral torsional buckling must be considered into
nominal moment strength calculation. The easiest way is by checking
AISC Table 3-10 (Available Moment Strength vs Unbraced Length).

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18. A customized steel section is formed by welding plates (PL8x½)
to the top flange and bottom flange of steel profile W12x96. Determine
the increasing inertia moment about its strong and weak axis for this
customized steel section.

a) 21% and 30%

b) 21% and 41%
c) 30% and 15%
d) 41% and 15%

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 PROBLEM 18 SOLUTION:

BUILT-UP STEEL SECTION

According to the steel section table, the properties of W12x96 is given:

Customized steel section:

The moment of inertia about strong axis increased 41%, while the
moment of inertia about weak axis increased 15%.

(Answer D)

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19. Design the required spacing of stirrups #3 for this reinforced
concrete beam (8x16) in2 displayed in the figure below.

Pu = 10 kips

wu = 3 kips/ft
A
D B C

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft

The compressive strength of concrete is 3000 psi and the steel

reinforcement uses Grade 60.

a) 7 in
b) 9 in
c) 11 in
d) 13 in

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 PROBLEM 19 SOLUTION:

STIRRUPS DESIGN

Solve the structural analysis first, then make the shear force diagram.

Pu = 10 kips

wu = 3 kips/ft
A
D B C

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft

VA = 6.25 kips VB = 48.75 kips

25 kips
6.25 kips 10 kips
0 0

shear
23.75 kips
diagram

Based on the shear force diagram, the design shear force is 25 kips.

Shear strength of concrete:

Required shear strength of stirrups:

For the concrete of 3000 psi, we can obtain the constant based on
ACI Sec. 11.4.6.3.

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The required spacing of stirrups:

Use stirrups #3 with spacing of 7 in (from center to center).

(Answer A)

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20. The elastic modulus of concrete depends on ….

a) Section width
b) Section height
c) Effective depth
d) Compressive strength

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 PROBLEM 20 SOLUTION:

CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Elastic modulus of concrete is related to the compressive strength of

concrete ( ) and normal-weight/density of concrete ( ). It can be
clearly seen on the equation.

or

(Answer D)

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21. A HSS column 12” x 12” x 3/8” is designed to resist axial
compression force with no eccentricity. The HSS section uses A36
material based on ASTM specification. The length of column is 15 ft,
assume that the effective length factor is 1. Determine the design
compression load for this column based on LRFD method.

a) 400 kips
b) 480 kips
c) 500 kips
d) 580 kips

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 PROBLEM 21 SOLUTION:

STEEL COMPRESSION MEMBER

Find the section properties of HSS 12” x 12” x 3/8” from steel profile
table.

Check slenderness ratio:

Calculate the critical stress:

Design compression load:

(Answer B)

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22. A section of slab and beam is shown in the following figure. The
slab and beams are cast monolithically, so that the concrete beam can
be considered as T-beam section. The length of beam is 13 ft.
Determine the top flange effective width of this interior T-beam
according to ACI 318.

4 in
14 in
144 in 8 in

a) 8 in
b) 14 in
c) 24 in
d) 47 in

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 PROBLEM 22 SOLUTION:

T-BEAM

ACI 318-2014 Sec. 6.3.2 limits the effective flange width of T-beam
section as follows:

The effective width of this T-beam is 47 in.

(Answer D)

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23. A 12 in x ½ in of thick plate shown in the figure below is
subjected to tensile loading. Calculate the net area due to 5 x ¾” bolt
(bolt hole 13/16”) attached in the thick plate according to AISC.

2.5

2
2.5
P P

3
2.5
2

a) 4.675 in2
b) 4.775 in2
c) 4.875 in2
d) 4.975 in2

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 PROBLEM 23 SOLUTION:

BOLTS

The net hole diameter:

Equation needed to calculate net width due to bolt holes:

Pattern 1 (A-B-E-F) :

2.5

A
B
2
2.5

C
P P
3

D
2.5

E
2

G F

Pattern 2 (A-B-C-D-E-F) :

2.5

A
B
2
2.5

C
P P
3

D
2.5

E
2

G F

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 Pattern 3 (A-B-C-D-G) :

2.5

A
B

2
2.5
C
P P

3
D

2.5
E 2

G F

Pattern 4 (A-B-D-E-F) :

2.5

A
B
2
2.5

C
P P
3

D
2.5

E
2

G F

The net width is taken as the minimum of these 4 possible patterns, so

that the net width is 9.75 in.

(Answer C)

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24. A corbel structure is designed to support an ultimate vertical load
of 55 kips at distance of 6 in from the face of column (see figure
below). The compressive strength of normal-weight concrete is 4000
psi and the steel reinforcement uses Grade 60. Calculate the required
main steel reinforcement area in the corbel based on ACI 318.

55 kips
main
6 in
reinforcement
14 in
12 in

a) 0.83 in2
b) 0.87 in2
c) 0.92 in2
d) 0.98 in2

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 PROBLEM 24 SOLUTION:

CORBEL DESIGN

The required steel area for shear force:

Based on ACI 318, the corbel must be designed for a tension force of
at least .

Therefore, the required steel area for tension force:

The corbel is also designed to resist bending moment.

Therefore, the required steel area for bending moment:

From those 3 factors affecting required steel area, we can calculate the
total required main reinforcement area as follows.

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The required main reinforcement area is 0.98 in2.

(Answer D)

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25. Which of the following factor is the adjustment factor for glulam
application only used for ASD method according to NDS?

a) Temperature factor
b) Load duration factor
c) Wet service factor
d) Beam stability factor

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 PROBLEM 25 SOLUTION:

GLULAM

Based on NDS Table 5.3.1 about the adjustment factor of glulam, the
following lists are the adjustment factor of glulam for ASD design:

1. Load duration factor

2. Wet service factor
3. Temperature factor
4. Beam stability factor
5. Volume factor
6. Flat use factor
7. Curvature factor
8. Stress interaction factor
9. Shear reduction factor
10. Column stability factor

Load duration factor is the only adjustment factor of glulam for ASD
method.

(Answer B)

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26. Determine the minimum steel reinforcement applied to one-way
slab with thickness of 3.5 in. The steel reinforcement use Grade 60.

a) #3 – 10”
b) #3 – 12”
c) #3 – 17”
d) #3 – 18”

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 PROBLEM 26 SOLUTION:

CONCRETE SLAB REINFORCEMENT

The minimum reinforcement of one-way slab:

Assume that we calculate for slab width of 1 ft.

The required spacing of steel reinforcement (use rebar #3):

Check the maximum spacing for slab reinforcement based on ACI:

From the calculations above, the steel reinforcement use #3-10”.

(Answer A)

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27. A W-shape column (W14x109 from ASTM A992) is subjected to
ultimate axial force of 450 kips, ultimate bending moment X-axis of
300 kips-ft, and ultimate bending moment Y-axis of 100 kips-ft. The
length of column is 15 ft. Assume that the column has pinned-pinned
connection at the ends. By using LRFD method, calculate the
interaction ratio and determine if the section is sufficient enough to
sustain the loading or not.

a) 0.88; sufficient
b) 0.94; sufficient
c) 0.98; sufficient
d) 1.01; not sufficient

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 PROBLEM 27 SOLUTION:

COMBINED AXIAL AND MOMENT FOR STEEL DESIGN

Given value in the questions:

Check the manual table for available strength of axial and moment:

(Manual Tables, Table 4-1)

(Manual Tables, Table 3-10)

(Manual Tables, Table 3-4)

Check interaction ratio:

The steel interaction ratio for combined axial and moment is 1.0036,
more than 1, means that the column is not sufficient enough to resist
the combined load.

(Answer D)

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28. A simply supported beam is made of Douglas Fir-Larch No. 1 with
section of (4 x 10) in2. The applied distributed load is dead load.
Determine the allowable bending stress according to NDS (use ASD
method) and judge if the beam is sufficient enough or not.

a) 880; not sufficient

b) 1060; not sufficient
c) 1038; sufficient
d) 1138; sufficient

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 PROBLEM 28 SOLUTION:

WOOD BEAM DESIGN

Maximum actual bending stress due to distributed load:

Allowable bending stress based on the wood section:

Adjustment factors:

Actual stress > allowable stress (not sufficient)

(Answer B)

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29. A retaining wall made of reinforced concrete is subjected to soil
pressure. The height of wall is 15 ft, while the soil pressure is
equivalent to a 45 lb/ft3. The compressive strength of concrete is 5000
psi and the steel reinforcement use Grade 60. Calculate the steel
reinforcement area attached in the wall if the steel percentage is
determined as 1%.

a) 0.9 in2
b) 1.0 in2
c) 1.1 in2
d) 1.2 in2

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 PROBLEM 29 SOLUTION:

RETAINING WALL DESIGN

Assume that the width design is 1 ft.

Design lateral load at the base:

Design bending moment at the base:

Effective depth of wall:

Steel reinforcement area:

(Answer C)

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30. Which of the following statement is false?

a) Concrete and steel are isotropic, while wood is orthotropic.

b) Concrete is good to resist tension force, while steel is good to
resist compression force.
c) ACI (concrete), AISC (steel), and NDS (wood) adopt LRFD
method.
d) Wood has many design values based on its species and location.

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 PROBLEM 30 SOLUTION:

BASIC CONCEPT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

The wrong option is about ‘concrete is good to resist tension force,

while steel is good to resist compression force’.

Concrete is very good at its compressive strength, while steel is very

good at its yield tensile strength. Therefore, reinforced concrete is
made to ‘replace’ the weakness of concrete in resisting tension;
composite structure is made to ‘replace’ the weakness of steel
(buckling) in resisting compression.

(Answer B)

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31. Determine the minimum size of fillet welds if we weld plate 10” x
½” and plate 10” x 3/8” together.

a) 1/8”
b) 3/16”
c) 1/4”
d) 5/16”

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 PROBLEM 31 SOLUTION:

WELD CONNECTION

Based on Table J2.4 AISC, the minimum size of fillet welds for material
thickness (the thinner between two plates) between ¼” and ½” is
3/16”.

(Answer B)

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32. Seismic resistant design adopts the concept of capacity design,
which requires the column strength should be larger than the beam
strength (strong column weak beam). Therefore, the sway mechanism
(see figure below) will be considered as expected failure mechanism.

According to ACI 318, please specify the minimum multiplication factor

of beam strength to be the minimum column strength to ensure the
expected failure mechanism.

a) 1.0
b) 1.1
c) 1.2
d) 1.3

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 PROBLEM 32 SOLUTION:

SEISMIC RESISTANT DESIGN

To satisfy strong column weak beam, it has been explained in ACI 318
that the flexural strength of column shall satisfy this equation:

Where is the sum of nominal flexural strength of the beams

framing into the joint and is the sum of nominal flexural
strength of the columns framing into the joint.

It can be seen that the minimum multiplication factor is 6/5.

(Answer C)

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33. Which of the following statement is not the reason of prestress
loss in prestressed concrete?

a) Imperfection of prestressed steel stress

b) Creep of concrete
c) Relaxation of prestressed steel stress
d) Shrinkage of concrete

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 PROBLEM 33 SOLUTION:

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

ACI 318 specify the sources of loss of prestressed as follows.

1. Prestressing steel seating at transfer

2. Elastic shortening of concrete
3. Creep of concrete
4. Shrinkage of concrete
5. Relaxation of prestressing steel stress
6. Friction loss due to intended or unintended curvature in post-
tensioning tendons

Therefore, option A is not the reason of loss of prestressed in

prestressed concrete.

(Answer A)

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34. Some exterior reinforced concrete columns in a building are
designed as edge columns due to their positions. The typical edge
column of 10” x 10” (hatched area) and the pile cap of group pile is
displayed in the following figure.

1.5 ft
3 ft
1.5 ft
1.5 ft 3 ft 1.5 ft

If the edge column transfers 500 kips, determine the maximum axial
compression sustained by one pile.

a) 125 kips
b) 233 kips
c) 340 kips
d) 425 kips

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 PROBLEM 34 SOLUTION:

PILE FOUNDATION

The maximum axial compression occurs in the pile where the location
is the farthest from the column centroid. Therefore, we also need to
include the effect of eccentricity in calculating the axial compression.

Effect of eccentricity (from column centroid to pile cap centroid):

The maximum axial compression in the pile:

(Answer C)

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35. A 15-ft simply supported rafter is made of Douglas Fir-Larch No. 2
with section of (3 x 8) in2. Determine the allowable distributed snow
load which can be sustained by the rafter (ignore the self-weight of
rafter) according to NDS (use ASD method).

a) 0.07 kips/ft
b) 0.08 kips/ft
c) 0.7 kips/ft
d) 0.8 kips/ft

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 PROBLEM 35 SOLUTION:

WOOD DESIGN

Allowable bending stress based on the wood section:

Adjustment factors:

Maximum actual bending stress due to distributed load:

Allowable snow load:

(Answer A)

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36. A combined footing displayed in the following figure is subjected
to column force of 500 kips each.

5 ft
24 ft

500 kips 500 kips

2.5 ft
3 ft 16 ft 5 ft

Calculate the maximum bearing pressure due to this load. Note that
the self-weight of combined footing (normal-weight 0.15 kips/ft3)
should be included too.

a) 5 kips/ft2
b) 8 kips/ft2
c) 11 kips/ft2
d) 14 kips/ft2

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 PROBLEM 36 SOLUTION:

COMBINED FOOTING

Total forces sustained by the footing:

Effect of eccentricity (from column centroid to footing centroid):

The maximum bearing pressure in the footing:

(Answer C)

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37. According to OSHA, what is the limit height from unprotected
edge of working condition for employee to do some connecting activitiy
such as welding, bolting, cutting, bracing, etc, where the fall protection
is required?

a) 5 ft
b) 6 ft
c) 7 ft
d) 8 ft

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 PROBLEM 37 SOLUTION:

OSHA REGULATION

OSHA limits the height of 6 ft or more should have fall protection to

remind the employees when they are doing some connecting activity,
such as welding, bolting, cutting, etc.

(Answer B)

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38. In determining the seismic design category, engineer should
classify the site class of its structure based on the site soil properties.
According to ASCE, which site class should be used if the soil
properties is unknown?

a) Site class A
b) Site class D
c) Site class E
d) Site class F

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 PROBLEM 38 SOLUTION:

SITE CLASS CATEGORY

Site F is used for soils vulnerable to potential failure or collapse under

seismic loading, such as liquefiable soils, quick and highly sensitive
clays, and collapsible weakly cemented soils.

Site Class E is used for a site does not qualify under the criteria for
Site Class F and there is a total thickness of soft clay greater than 10
ft.

Site Class D shall be used where the soil properties are not known in
sufficient detail to determine the site class, unless the authority having
jurisdiction or geotechnical data determines Site Class E or F soils are
present at the site.

Site Class A is used for hard rock conditions with a depth of 100 ft.

Therefore, the correct answer is site class D.

(Answer B)

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39. A masonry structure is designed using ASD method. Based on
IBC, determine the minimum length of lap splice (reinforcement splice)
if the 3/8” rebar and Grade 40 steel is used in the masonry structure.
Assume that the structure is designed until the rebar reaches its yield
stress.

a) 12 in
b) 15 in
c) 25 in
d) 30 in

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 PROBLEM 39 SOLUTION:

REINFORCEMENT SPLICE

The minimum length of lap splices for reinforcing bars in tension or

compression:

Considering that the structure is designed to reach yield stress, which

is more than 80% of the allowable tensile stress, the lap splice should
be increased by 50%.

Therefore, the reinforcement splice in this case should have minimum

length of 23 in.

(Answer C)

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40. A simply supported prestressed beam (PCI standard rectangular
beam 16RB24) is designed by using PCI guideline. Assume that the
effective depth is 21 in. The compressive strength of normal-weight
concrete is 6000 psi. Determine the required prestressing steel area if
the prestressing steel uses low-relaxation strand with 270 ksi.

wu = 12 kips/ft

20 ft

a) 1.0 in2
b) 1.5 in2
c) 2.0 in2
d) 2.5 in2

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 PROBLEM 40 SOLUTION:

PRESTRESSED BEAM DESIGN

Maximum bending moment:

Find the required :

Determine by using PCI Fig. 4.10.2 (the values of ):

The required prestressing steel area:

(Answer B)

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