Introduction to the PE Civil - Breadth Exam Study Guide
Welcome! This study guide is designed to help you prepare for the breadth
portion of the PE Civil exam by covering a wide range of topics across key
disciplines. It includes essential definitions, formulas, and concepts from
structural, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, and construction
engineering.
Use this guide as a concise reference to reinforce your knowledge and refresh
your memory on critical information. Focus on understanding each concept,
and you'll be well-prepared for exam day. Good luck
PE Civil - Breadth Exam Study Guide
1. Geotechnical Engineering
Buoyant unit weight is also known as effective unit weight.
Effective unit weight = saturated unit weight - unit weight of water (γeff
=γsat−γwater).
A Shelby tube is used to obtain undisturbed samples of cohesive soil for
strength and consolidation testing.
Deep foundations include piles and caissons.
Shallow foundations include mats/raft foundations, wall footings, and
spread footings.
A footing can be considered "infinitely long" if its length is at least 10 times
its width.
Lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is
considerably larger (at least twice as much) than the lateral strain required
to fully mobilize active pressure.
Hydrometer analysis is used to obtain the grain size distribution of fine-
grained soils (passing the No. 200 sieve).
Welcome! This study guide is designed to help you prepare for the breadth
portion of the PE Civil exam by covering a wide range of topics across key
disciplines. It includes essential definitions, formulas, and concepts from
structural, geotechnical, water resources, transportation, and construction
engineering.
Use this guide as a concise reference to reinforce your knowledge and refresh
your memory on critical information. Focus on understanding each concept,
and you'll be well-prepared for exam day. Good luck
PE Civil - Breadth Exam Study Guide
1. Geotechnical Engineering
Buoyant unit weight is also known as effective unit weight.
Effective unit weight = saturated unit weight - unit weight of water (γeff
=γsat−γwater).
A Shelby tube is used to obtain undisturbed samples of cohesive soil for
strength and consolidation testing.
Deep foundations include piles and caissons.
Shallow foundations include mats/raft foundations, wall footings, and
spread footings.
A footing can be considered "infinitely long" if its length is at least 10 times
its width.
Lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is
considerably larger (at least twice as much) than the lateral strain required
to fully mobilize active pressure.
Hydrometer analysis is used to obtain the grain size distribution of fine-
grained soils (passing the No. 200 sieve).
