PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What is the definition of dead loads - ANS loads that are permanent in both magnitude
and location throughout the intended life of the structure
where are the minimum design DL found - ANS ASCE 7 Table C3-1
where are minimum material densities found - ANS ASCE 7 Table C3-2
what is the definition of live loads - ANS max expected loads based on the intended use or
occupancy
where are min LL found - ANS ASCE 7 Table 4.3-1 or IBC Table 1607.1
a concentrated load is assumed to be distributed over an area of __ x __ - ANS 30" x 30"
what is the definition of a one way slab - ANS aspect ratio >=2
(YAY! inclusive; therefore, easier)
what is the definition of a two way slab - ANS aspect ratio < 2
1
,(YAY! exclusive; therefore, easier)
what is the definition of statically determinate - ANS when ALL the forces can be
determined from just equilibrium equations
what is the definition of statically indeterminate - ANS structures having more unknown
forces than available equilibrium equations
what is a beam/column system with simple beams - ANS space frame
how to tell if a structure is determinate - ANS R = 3n
where R = unknown forces
n = parts (i.e. cuts)
how many unknowns are at a cut - ANS 1 because they are equal and opposite reactions
how to determine the degrees of indeterminacy - ANS R - 3n
how to tell if a structure is indeterminate - ANS R > 3n
where R = unknowns
n = parts (i.e. cuts)
how to tell if a structure is unstable - ANS R < 3n
OR
R >/= 3n AND lines of all reactions intersect at a point OR lines of all reactions are parallel
Exam Q: find shear and moment at point x - ANS 1. Is there a formula in AISC or
handbook?
2. If not (or to check your work), make a cut at point x and solve for V and M
2
,where are shear, moments, and deflection formulas and diagrams found - ANS AISC Table
3-23 or handbook 4.1.7
how many equilibrium eqs are there available for a truss joint? what are they? - ANS 2 (Fx
and Fy)
how to tell if a truss is determinate - ANS M+R=2J
where M is # of members
R is # of reactions
J is # of joints
how to tell if a truss is indeterminate - ANS M+R>2J
where M is # of members
R is # of reactions
J is # of joints
how to tell if a truss is externally unstable - ANS 1. reaction lines of action are all parallel
OR
2. reaction lines of action intersect at a common point
(same as beams)
how to tell if a truss is internally unstable - ANS no restraints between diagonal joints
(diamond = unstable; triangle = stable)
how to identify zero force truss members - ANS 1. two non-collinear members form a
joint with no external loading or support reactions acting on the joint -> both members are zero
force
2. three members form a joint for which two of the members are collinear and no external
loading or support reactions are acting on the joint -> the third member is zero force
3
, 3. inspection (i.e. use equilibrium eq's to determine if there are no vert or horiz forces acting on
a joint)
4. Two non-collinear members frame into a truss joint, and there is a load or support reaction
that is collinear with one of the members -> the non-collinear member is a zero force member
how to analyze a truss with a distributed load applied to it - ANS 1. find force at each joint
in contact with the distributed load with trib lengths
2. use method of joints or sections to find forces in members
when to use method of joints - ANS member in question is close to the supports
when to use the method of sections - ANS member in question is far from the supports
to use method of joints, you MUST __ - ANS chose a joint that has:
at most 2 unknown forces
at least 1 known force
to use method of sections, you MUST __ - ANS cut your section so that you have at most
3 unknown forces
steps in method of sections - ANS 1. find reactions
2. sum moments about intersecting members to find the third member force
3. if two members are parallel, sum the forces in the parallel direction
why do zero force members exist - ANS stability of the truss during construction OR to
provide support if the applied loading changes OR to brace a member (smaller unbraced length)
what is Hooke's Law - ANS stress = Elastic modulus * strain (flexural and shear
stress/strain)
4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What is the definition of dead loads - ANS loads that are permanent in both magnitude
and location throughout the intended life of the structure
where are the minimum design DL found - ANS ASCE 7 Table C3-1
where are minimum material densities found - ANS ASCE 7 Table C3-2
what is the definition of live loads - ANS max expected loads based on the intended use or
occupancy
where are min LL found - ANS ASCE 7 Table 4.3-1 or IBC Table 1607.1
a concentrated load is assumed to be distributed over an area of __ x __ - ANS 30" x 30"
what is the definition of a one way slab - ANS aspect ratio >=2
(YAY! inclusive; therefore, easier)
what is the definition of a two way slab - ANS aspect ratio < 2
1
,(YAY! exclusive; therefore, easier)
what is the definition of statically determinate - ANS when ALL the forces can be
determined from just equilibrium equations
what is the definition of statically indeterminate - ANS structures having more unknown
forces than available equilibrium equations
what is a beam/column system with simple beams - ANS space frame
how to tell if a structure is determinate - ANS R = 3n
where R = unknown forces
n = parts (i.e. cuts)
how many unknowns are at a cut - ANS 1 because they are equal and opposite reactions
how to determine the degrees of indeterminacy - ANS R - 3n
how to tell if a structure is indeterminate - ANS R > 3n
where R = unknowns
n = parts (i.e. cuts)
how to tell if a structure is unstable - ANS R < 3n
OR
R >/= 3n AND lines of all reactions intersect at a point OR lines of all reactions are parallel
Exam Q: find shear and moment at point x - ANS 1. Is there a formula in AISC or
handbook?
2. If not (or to check your work), make a cut at point x and solve for V and M
2
,where are shear, moments, and deflection formulas and diagrams found - ANS AISC Table
3-23 or handbook 4.1.7
how many equilibrium eqs are there available for a truss joint? what are they? - ANS 2 (Fx
and Fy)
how to tell if a truss is determinate - ANS M+R=2J
where M is # of members
R is # of reactions
J is # of joints
how to tell if a truss is indeterminate - ANS M+R>2J
where M is # of members
R is # of reactions
J is # of joints
how to tell if a truss is externally unstable - ANS 1. reaction lines of action are all parallel
OR
2. reaction lines of action intersect at a common point
(same as beams)
how to tell if a truss is internally unstable - ANS no restraints between diagonal joints
(diamond = unstable; triangle = stable)
how to identify zero force truss members - ANS 1. two non-collinear members form a
joint with no external loading or support reactions acting on the joint -> both members are zero
force
2. three members form a joint for which two of the members are collinear and no external
loading or support reactions are acting on the joint -> the third member is zero force
3
, 3. inspection (i.e. use equilibrium eq's to determine if there are no vert or horiz forces acting on
a joint)
4. Two non-collinear members frame into a truss joint, and there is a load or support reaction
that is collinear with one of the members -> the non-collinear member is a zero force member
how to analyze a truss with a distributed load applied to it - ANS 1. find force at each joint
in contact with the distributed load with trib lengths
2. use method of joints or sections to find forces in members
when to use method of joints - ANS member in question is close to the supports
when to use the method of sections - ANS member in question is far from the supports
to use method of joints, you MUST __ - ANS chose a joint that has:
at most 2 unknown forces
at least 1 known force
to use method of sections, you MUST __ - ANS cut your section so that you have at most
3 unknown forces
steps in method of sections - ANS 1. find reactions
2. sum moments about intersecting members to find the third member force
3. if two members are parallel, sum the forces in the parallel direction
why do zero force members exist - ANS stability of the truss during construction OR to
provide support if the applied loading changes OR to brace a member (smaller unbraced length)
what is Hooke's Law - ANS stress = Elastic modulus * strain (flexural and shear
stress/strain)
4
