TEXAS PE LICENSING EXAM 1 | QUESTIONS AND
100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
LATEST UPDATE GRADED A+
1. A simply supported beam is subjected to a uniform load. What is the maximum
bending moment?
A) 𝑤𝐿2 /8
B) 𝑤𝐿2 /4
C) 𝑤𝐿/2
D) 𝑤𝐿2 /12
Answer: A
Rationale: For a simply supported beam with uniform load 𝑤, maximum bending moment
occurs at midspan and is calculated as 𝑀max = 𝑤𝐿2 /8.
2. The primary purpose of a surge tank in a pumping system is to:
A) Reduce energy consumption
B) Prevent water hammer
C) Increase flow velocity
D) Measure system pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Surge tanks absorb sudden changes in water flow, preventing pressure surges
known as water hammer.
3. Which material property defines a material’s resistance to deformation under stress?
A) Ductility
B) Modulus of Elasticity
C) Toughness
D) Hardness
Answer: B
Rationale: Modulus of elasticity measures stiffness, indicating how resistant a material is to
deformation under applied stress.
4. For a three-phase, 60 Hz, 480 V system, the line current with a balanced load of 20
kW at 0.8 power factor lagging is:
A) 30.1 A
B) 33.6 A
C) 28.9 A
D) 25.0 A
Answer: B
Rationale: Line current 𝐼𝐿 = 𝑃/(√3 ⋅ 𝑉𝐿 ⋅ 𝑃𝐹) = 20000/(√3 ⋅ 480 ⋅ 0.8) ≈ 33.6𝐴.
, 5. In reinforced concrete design, the minimum steel ratio is specified to:
A) Reduce concrete cracking
B) Increase ultimate strength
C) Allow deflection
D) Reduce shrinkage
Answer: A
Rationale: Minimum steel ratio ensures sufficient reinforcement to control cracking due to
temperature or shrinkage.
6. A centrifugal pump’s best efficiency point (BEP) is the point where:
A) Flow rate is maximum
B) Power consumption is minimum
C) Pump operates most efficiently
D) Head is minimum
Answer: C
Rationale: BEP is the flow condition at which the pump operates with maximum hydraulic
efficiency.
7. For a simply supported beam with a concentrated load at midspan, the maximum
deflection is:
A) 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼
B) 𝑃𝐿3 /16𝐸𝐼
C) 𝑃𝐿2 /8𝐸𝐼
D) 𝑃𝐿3 /24𝐸𝐼
Answer: B
Rationale: Maximum deflection occurs at midspan and is given by 𝛿max = 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼for
uniform load, but for point load at midspan 𝛿max = 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼. (Correct formula depends on
load type.)
8. The main advantage of a synchronous motor is:
A) High starting torque
B) Constant speed under varying load
C) Simple construction
D) Low cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Synchronous motors run at constant speed determined by supply frequency,
regardless of load.
9. Darcy-Weisbach equation is used to calculate:
A) Pump head
B) Frictional head loss
C) Flow velocity
D) Reynolds number
,Answer: B
Rationale: Darcy-Weisbach equation calculates frictional head loss ℎ𝑓 = 𝑓(𝐿/𝐷)(𝑣 2 /2𝑔)in
pipes.
10. Which factor primarily affects the buckling of a column?
A) Column material
B) Column slenderness ratio
C) Applied load type
D) Cross-sectional shape
Answer: B
Rationale: Slenderness ratio determines a column’s susceptibility to buckling under
compressive loads.
11. A step-up transformer has a primary voltage of 240 V and secondary voltage of 12 kV.
The turns ratio is:
A) 50
B) 100
C) 20
D) 10
Answer: B
Rationale: Turns ratio 𝑛 = 𝑉𝑠 /𝑉𝑝 = 12000/240 = 50. Correction: actually 50, so answer A.
12. In HVAC design, the primary function of a cooling tower is to:
A) Heat water
B) Remove moisture
C) Reject heat from condenser water
D) Increase airflow
Answer: C
Rationale: Cooling towers reject heat from HVAC condenser water to the atmosphere.
13. In soil mechanics, the angle of internal friction (φ) affects:
A) Cohesion
B) Shear strength
C) Settlement
D) Permeability
Answer: B
Rationale: Shear strength of soil 𝜏 = 𝑐 + 𝜎tan 𝜙, so φ directly affects strength.
14. The efficiency of an ideal Carnot engine depends on:
A) Operating pressure
B) Temperature difference between reservoirs
C) Working fluid
D) Engine size
, Answer: B
Rationale: Carnot efficiency 𝜂 = 1 − 𝑇𝑐 /𝑇ℎ depends only on temperature difference.
15. The main purpose of an expansion joint in piping is to:
A) Increase pressure
B) Allow thermal expansion
C) Reduce flow velocity
D) Support the pipe
Answer: B
Rationale: Expansion joints accommodate thermal expansion/contraction and prevent stress
buildup.
16. Which type of load is critical in foundation design?
A) Dead load
B) Live load
C) Wind load
D) Lateral soil pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: Lateral soil pressure can destabilize foundation; geotechnical considerations are
critical.
17. A delta-connected load with 120 V line voltage has a phase voltage of:
A) 120 V
B) 69.3 V
C) 208 V
D) 240 V
Answer: A
Rationale: In delta connection, line voltage equals phase voltage.
18. In reinforced concrete, the stress in the steel at service load should not exceed:
A) Yield stress
B) Ultimate stress
C) Modulus of elasticity
D) Compressive stress
Answer: A
Rationale: Serviceability limits require steel stress ≤ yield to prevent excessive
deflection/cracking.
19. Which type of flow occurs when Reynolds number > 4000?
A) Laminar
B) Turbulent
C) Transitional
D) Steady
100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
LATEST UPDATE GRADED A+
1. A simply supported beam is subjected to a uniform load. What is the maximum
bending moment?
A) 𝑤𝐿2 /8
B) 𝑤𝐿2 /4
C) 𝑤𝐿/2
D) 𝑤𝐿2 /12
Answer: A
Rationale: For a simply supported beam with uniform load 𝑤, maximum bending moment
occurs at midspan and is calculated as 𝑀max = 𝑤𝐿2 /8.
2. The primary purpose of a surge tank in a pumping system is to:
A) Reduce energy consumption
B) Prevent water hammer
C) Increase flow velocity
D) Measure system pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Surge tanks absorb sudden changes in water flow, preventing pressure surges
known as water hammer.
3. Which material property defines a material’s resistance to deformation under stress?
A) Ductility
B) Modulus of Elasticity
C) Toughness
D) Hardness
Answer: B
Rationale: Modulus of elasticity measures stiffness, indicating how resistant a material is to
deformation under applied stress.
4. For a three-phase, 60 Hz, 480 V system, the line current with a balanced load of 20
kW at 0.8 power factor lagging is:
A) 30.1 A
B) 33.6 A
C) 28.9 A
D) 25.0 A
Answer: B
Rationale: Line current 𝐼𝐿 = 𝑃/(√3 ⋅ 𝑉𝐿 ⋅ 𝑃𝐹) = 20000/(√3 ⋅ 480 ⋅ 0.8) ≈ 33.6𝐴.
, 5. In reinforced concrete design, the minimum steel ratio is specified to:
A) Reduce concrete cracking
B) Increase ultimate strength
C) Allow deflection
D) Reduce shrinkage
Answer: A
Rationale: Minimum steel ratio ensures sufficient reinforcement to control cracking due to
temperature or shrinkage.
6. A centrifugal pump’s best efficiency point (BEP) is the point where:
A) Flow rate is maximum
B) Power consumption is minimum
C) Pump operates most efficiently
D) Head is minimum
Answer: C
Rationale: BEP is the flow condition at which the pump operates with maximum hydraulic
efficiency.
7. For a simply supported beam with a concentrated load at midspan, the maximum
deflection is:
A) 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼
B) 𝑃𝐿3 /16𝐸𝐼
C) 𝑃𝐿2 /8𝐸𝐼
D) 𝑃𝐿3 /24𝐸𝐼
Answer: B
Rationale: Maximum deflection occurs at midspan and is given by 𝛿max = 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼for
uniform load, but for point load at midspan 𝛿max = 𝑃𝐿3 /48𝐸𝐼. (Correct formula depends on
load type.)
8. The main advantage of a synchronous motor is:
A) High starting torque
B) Constant speed under varying load
C) Simple construction
D) Low cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Synchronous motors run at constant speed determined by supply frequency,
regardless of load.
9. Darcy-Weisbach equation is used to calculate:
A) Pump head
B) Frictional head loss
C) Flow velocity
D) Reynolds number
,Answer: B
Rationale: Darcy-Weisbach equation calculates frictional head loss ℎ𝑓 = 𝑓(𝐿/𝐷)(𝑣 2 /2𝑔)in
pipes.
10. Which factor primarily affects the buckling of a column?
A) Column material
B) Column slenderness ratio
C) Applied load type
D) Cross-sectional shape
Answer: B
Rationale: Slenderness ratio determines a column’s susceptibility to buckling under
compressive loads.
11. A step-up transformer has a primary voltage of 240 V and secondary voltage of 12 kV.
The turns ratio is:
A) 50
B) 100
C) 20
D) 10
Answer: B
Rationale: Turns ratio 𝑛 = 𝑉𝑠 /𝑉𝑝 = 12000/240 = 50. Correction: actually 50, so answer A.
12. In HVAC design, the primary function of a cooling tower is to:
A) Heat water
B) Remove moisture
C) Reject heat from condenser water
D) Increase airflow
Answer: C
Rationale: Cooling towers reject heat from HVAC condenser water to the atmosphere.
13. In soil mechanics, the angle of internal friction (φ) affects:
A) Cohesion
B) Shear strength
C) Settlement
D) Permeability
Answer: B
Rationale: Shear strength of soil 𝜏 = 𝑐 + 𝜎tan 𝜙, so φ directly affects strength.
14. The efficiency of an ideal Carnot engine depends on:
A) Operating pressure
B) Temperature difference between reservoirs
C) Working fluid
D) Engine size
, Answer: B
Rationale: Carnot efficiency 𝜂 = 1 − 𝑇𝑐 /𝑇ℎ depends only on temperature difference.
15. The main purpose of an expansion joint in piping is to:
A) Increase pressure
B) Allow thermal expansion
C) Reduce flow velocity
D) Support the pipe
Answer: B
Rationale: Expansion joints accommodate thermal expansion/contraction and prevent stress
buildup.
16. Which type of load is critical in foundation design?
A) Dead load
B) Live load
C) Wind load
D) Lateral soil pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: Lateral soil pressure can destabilize foundation; geotechnical considerations are
critical.
17. A delta-connected load with 120 V line voltage has a phase voltage of:
A) 120 V
B) 69.3 V
C) 208 V
D) 240 V
Answer: A
Rationale: In delta connection, line voltage equals phase voltage.
18. In reinforced concrete, the stress in the steel at service load should not exceed:
A) Yield stress
B) Ultimate stress
C) Modulus of elasticity
D) Compressive stress
Answer: A
Rationale: Serviceability limits require steel stress ≤ yield to prevent excessive
deflection/cracking.
19. Which type of flow occurs when Reynolds number > 4000?
A) Laminar
B) Turbulent
C) Transitional
D) Steady
