NCEES PE CIVIL STRUCTURAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
1. Which of the following statement regarding lateral earth pressures is
correct?
A. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
considerably smaller than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize
the soil active pressure.
B. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
slightly smaller than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the
soil active pressure.
C. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
slightly larger than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil
active pressure.
D. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
considerably larger than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize
the soil active pressure. - ANSWER ✔ D is correct.
- from general physics knowledge the force it takes to move
anything from a complete standstill will be greater than the
force it takes to move something already in motion, this
immediately eliminates A and B.
- looking at the graph you can see that the lateral earth pressure
for passive pressure is at least twice that of active pressure,
this eliminates option C.
2. A bridge footing is to be constructed in sand. The groundwater level is at the
ground surface. The ultimate bearing capacity is based on what type of soil
unit weight?
A. Buoyant unit weight
B. Saturated unit weight
C. Dry unit weight
, D. Total unit weight - ANSWER ✔ A is correct.
- buoyant unit weight is also known as the effective unit weight
- effective unit weight = saturated unit weight - unit weight of
water
3. according to IBC 2018 and applicable quality assurance inspection
requirements, which of the following inspection tasks are required for
ASTM A325N high-strength bolts used in a steel framed structure? (select
the two that apply)
A. verification of the magnitude of the clamping force
B. calibration of the torque wrench
C. confirmation that the proper fastener components are used
D. confirmation that the faying surfaces are brought into firm contact
during installation of the bolts
E. confirmation that the bolt installed has an AWS D1.1 certification -
ANSWER ✔ C and D are correct.
- IBC 2018, section 1705.2.1 (structural steel) states 'special
inspections and nondestructive testing of structural steel
elements in buildings, structures, and portions thereof shall be
in accordance with the quality assurance inspection
requirements of AISC 360'
- AISC 360 Chapter N states ' snug-tightened joints are required
to be inspected to ensure that the proper fastener components
are used and that the faying surfaces are brought into firm
contact during installation of the bolts.
4. According to IBC 2018, which of the following represents the minimum
factor of safety against uplift of deep pile elements due to wind or seismic
loading? (Select the two that apply)
A. one and one-half when capacity is determined by approved load tests
B. two when capacity is determined by approved load tests
C. two when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis
D. three when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis
E. four when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis -
ANSWER ✔ A and C are correct.
- IBC 2018 section 1810.3.3.1.5 lists 1) minimum factor of
safety of two where capacity is determined by an analysis
2) and one and one-half where capacity is determined by load tests
,5. According to IBC 2018, which of the following represent the minimum
compressive strength of a precast concrete pile before driving? (select the
two that apply)
A. 75% of the specified compressive strength
B. 80% of the specified compressive strength
C. not less than the strength sufficient to withstand handling and driving
forces
D. one and one-half times the sufficient strength to withstand initial
prestress load upon transfer
E. must be determined by load testing - ANSWER ✔ A and C are
correct.
- IBC 2018 section 1810.4.1.1 states that a precast concrete pile
shall not be driven before the concrete has attained
compressive strength not less than 75% of the specified
compressive strength, also not less than the strength sufficient
to withstand handling and driving forces.
6. Flexible vs Rigid Diaphragm - ANSWER ✔ 12.3.1.1 of ASCE
7. Two Way Shear/Punching Shear - ANSWER ✔ 22.6.1 General
22.6.5 Equations
ACI 318-14
8. Analogous Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Use of historical data to define cost of
a typical facility
9. Parametric Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Unit cost data from bids of prior
projects, adjusted for current prices
10.Cost Based Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Based on contractors cost for projects
(getting bids)
11.Direct (Variable) Costs - ANSWER ✔ Material costs, salary & labor costs,
equipment ownership/rental costs
12.Indirect (Fixed) Cost - ANSWER ✔ Bond Premiums, insurance premiums,
fees for permits & licenses and office expenses
, 13.Board Foot - ANSWER ✔ Measure of volume (1'X1'X1"=144in^3)
14.Total Float - ANSWER ✔ The amount of time that a schedule activity can
be delayed without delaying the project end date
15.Free Float - ANSWER ✔ Amount of time an activity can be delayed
without delaying the early start date of the next activity
16.Budgeted Cost Work Schedule (BCWS) - ANSWER ✔ Planned Value,
What is planned in terms of budgeted cost of work
17.Budgeted Cost of Work Preformed (BCWP) - ANSWER ✔ Earned Value,
What is done in terms of budgeted cost of work
18.Actual Cost of Work Preformed (ACWP) - ANSWER ✔ What is paid,
Actual cost of work that has been accomplished to date
19.Cost Variance - ANSWER ✔ Difference between BCWP & ACWP,
Greater than 0 = under budget
20.Schedule Variance - ANSWER ✔ Difference between BCWP & BCWS,
Greater than 0 = ahead of schedule
21.Dead Load, D - ANSWER ✔ Weight of permanent construction in place
(includes non-structural loads - cladding, partitions, railings and ceilings)
22.Live Loads, L - ANSWER ✔ Produced by use or occupancy of a structure
(for bridges and other structures it includes impact as well as longitudinal &
centrifugal forces from vehicles)
23.Construction Dead Load, CD - ANSWER ✔ Dead load of temporary
structure in place
24.Stockpiled Formwork (Loading) - ANSWER ✔ Changes from variable to
fixed when installed in its place
25.Fresh Concrete (Loading) - ANSWER ✔ Variable when poured, fixed
when hardened
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
1. Which of the following statement regarding lateral earth pressures is
correct?
A. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
considerably smaller than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize
the soil active pressure.
B. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
slightly smaller than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the
soil active pressure.
C. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
slightly larger than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil
active pressure.
D. the lateral strain required to fully mobilize the soil passive pressure is
considerably larger than the lateral strain required to fully mobilize
the soil active pressure. - ANSWER ✔ D is correct.
- from general physics knowledge the force it takes to move
anything from a complete standstill will be greater than the
force it takes to move something already in motion, this
immediately eliminates A and B.
- looking at the graph you can see that the lateral earth pressure
for passive pressure is at least twice that of active pressure,
this eliminates option C.
2. A bridge footing is to be constructed in sand. The groundwater level is at the
ground surface. The ultimate bearing capacity is based on what type of soil
unit weight?
A. Buoyant unit weight
B. Saturated unit weight
C. Dry unit weight
, D. Total unit weight - ANSWER ✔ A is correct.
- buoyant unit weight is also known as the effective unit weight
- effective unit weight = saturated unit weight - unit weight of
water
3. according to IBC 2018 and applicable quality assurance inspection
requirements, which of the following inspection tasks are required for
ASTM A325N high-strength bolts used in a steel framed structure? (select
the two that apply)
A. verification of the magnitude of the clamping force
B. calibration of the torque wrench
C. confirmation that the proper fastener components are used
D. confirmation that the faying surfaces are brought into firm contact
during installation of the bolts
E. confirmation that the bolt installed has an AWS D1.1 certification -
ANSWER ✔ C and D are correct.
- IBC 2018, section 1705.2.1 (structural steel) states 'special
inspections and nondestructive testing of structural steel
elements in buildings, structures, and portions thereof shall be
in accordance with the quality assurance inspection
requirements of AISC 360'
- AISC 360 Chapter N states ' snug-tightened joints are required
to be inspected to ensure that the proper fastener components
are used and that the faying surfaces are brought into firm
contact during installation of the bolts.
4. According to IBC 2018, which of the following represents the minimum
factor of safety against uplift of deep pile elements due to wind or seismic
loading? (Select the two that apply)
A. one and one-half when capacity is determined by approved load tests
B. two when capacity is determined by approved load tests
C. two when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis
D. three when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis
E. four when capacity is determined by an approved method of analysis -
ANSWER ✔ A and C are correct.
- IBC 2018 section 1810.3.3.1.5 lists 1) minimum factor of
safety of two where capacity is determined by an analysis
2) and one and one-half where capacity is determined by load tests
,5. According to IBC 2018, which of the following represent the minimum
compressive strength of a precast concrete pile before driving? (select the
two that apply)
A. 75% of the specified compressive strength
B. 80% of the specified compressive strength
C. not less than the strength sufficient to withstand handling and driving
forces
D. one and one-half times the sufficient strength to withstand initial
prestress load upon transfer
E. must be determined by load testing - ANSWER ✔ A and C are
correct.
- IBC 2018 section 1810.4.1.1 states that a precast concrete pile
shall not be driven before the concrete has attained
compressive strength not less than 75% of the specified
compressive strength, also not less than the strength sufficient
to withstand handling and driving forces.
6. Flexible vs Rigid Diaphragm - ANSWER ✔ 12.3.1.1 of ASCE
7. Two Way Shear/Punching Shear - ANSWER ✔ 22.6.1 General
22.6.5 Equations
ACI 318-14
8. Analogous Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Use of historical data to define cost of
a typical facility
9. Parametric Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Unit cost data from bids of prior
projects, adjusted for current prices
10.Cost Based Estimate - ANSWER ✔ Based on contractors cost for projects
(getting bids)
11.Direct (Variable) Costs - ANSWER ✔ Material costs, salary & labor costs,
equipment ownership/rental costs
12.Indirect (Fixed) Cost - ANSWER ✔ Bond Premiums, insurance premiums,
fees for permits & licenses and office expenses
, 13.Board Foot - ANSWER ✔ Measure of volume (1'X1'X1"=144in^3)
14.Total Float - ANSWER ✔ The amount of time that a schedule activity can
be delayed without delaying the project end date
15.Free Float - ANSWER ✔ Amount of time an activity can be delayed
without delaying the early start date of the next activity
16.Budgeted Cost Work Schedule (BCWS) - ANSWER ✔ Planned Value,
What is planned in terms of budgeted cost of work
17.Budgeted Cost of Work Preformed (BCWP) - ANSWER ✔ Earned Value,
What is done in terms of budgeted cost of work
18.Actual Cost of Work Preformed (ACWP) - ANSWER ✔ What is paid,
Actual cost of work that has been accomplished to date
19.Cost Variance - ANSWER ✔ Difference between BCWP & ACWP,
Greater than 0 = under budget
20.Schedule Variance - ANSWER ✔ Difference between BCWP & BCWS,
Greater than 0 = ahead of schedule
21.Dead Load, D - ANSWER ✔ Weight of permanent construction in place
(includes non-structural loads - cladding, partitions, railings and ceilings)
22.Live Loads, L - ANSWER ✔ Produced by use or occupancy of a structure
(for bridges and other structures it includes impact as well as longitudinal &
centrifugal forces from vehicles)
23.Construction Dead Load, CD - ANSWER ✔ Dead load of temporary
structure in place
24.Stockpiled Formwork (Loading) - ANSWER ✔ Changes from variable to
fixed when installed in its place
25.Fresh Concrete (Loading) - ANSWER ✔ Variable when poured, fixed
when hardened
