This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES. All rights reserved.

All NCEES sample questions and solutions are copyrighted under the laws of the United States. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written
permission of NCEES. Requests for permissions should be addressed in writing to permissions@ncees.org.

ISBN 978-1-947801-31-8

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing October 2023
This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

CONTENTS

Introduction to NCEES Exams....................................................................1

About NCEES
Exam format
Examinee Guide
Scoring and reporting
Updates on exam content and procedures

PE Civil: Structural Practice Exam ............................................................3

PE Civil: Structural Solutions .......................................................... 57

iii
 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

About NCEES
NCEES is a nonprofit organization made up of the U.S. engineering and surveying licensing boards in
all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. We develop and score the exams used for
engineering and surveying licensure in the United States. NCEES also promotes professional mobility
through its services for licensees and its member boards.

Engineering licensure in the United States is regulated by licensing boards in each state and territory. These
boards set and maintain the standards that protect the public they serve. As a result, licensing requirements
and procedures vary by jurisdiction, so stay in touch with your board (ncees.org/licensing-boards).

Exam format
The PE Civil: Structural exam is computer-based. It contains 80 questions and is administered year-
round via computer at approved Pearson VUE test centers. A 9-hour appointment time includes a
tutorial, the exam, and a break. You have 8 hours to complete the actual exam.

In addition to traditional multiple-choice questions with one correct answer, the exam uses common
alternative item types such as
• Multiple correct options—allows multiple choices to be correct
• Point and click—requires examinees to click on part of a graphic to answer
• Drag and drop—requires examinees to click on and drag items to match, sort, rank, or label
• Fill in the blank—provides a space for examinees to enter a response to the question

To familiarize yourself with the format, style, and navigation of a computer-based exam, view the video
tutorials on the NCEES YouTube channel.

Examinee Guide
The NCEES Examinee Guide is the official guide to policies and procedures for all NCEES exams.
During exam registration and again on exam day, examinees must agree to abide by the conditions in the
Examinee Guide, which includes the CBT Examinee Rules and Agreement. You can download the
Examinee Guide at ncees.org/exams. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the current version.

Scoring and reporting

Results for computer-based exams are typically available 7–10 days after you take the exam. You will
receive an email notification from NCEES with instructions to view your results in your MyNCEES
account. All results are reported as pass or fail.

Updates on exam content and procedures

Visit us at ncees.org/exams for updates on everything exam-related, including specifications, exam-day
policies, scoring, and corrections to published exam preparation materials. This is also where you
will register for the exam and find additional steps you should follow in your state to be approved for
the exam.

1
This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

3
 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

3. A soil profile is shown. The effective vertical stress (psf) at Point A is most nearly:

o A. 1,270
o B. 1,820
o C. 2,140
o D. 2,570

4. 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?

GROUNDWATER LEVEL

SAND
NOT TO SCALE

o A. Buoyant unit weight

o B. Saturated unit weight
o C. Dry unit weight
o D. Total unit weight

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 5 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

18. The point load (kips) placed at the centerline of a 30-ft beam that produces the same maximum
shear in the beam as a uniform load of 1 kip/ft is most nearly:

o A. 7.5
o B. 15
o C. 30
o D. 60

19. The beam sections shown are fabricated from 1/2-in.  6-in. steel plates. Which of the following
cross sections will provide the greatest flexural rigidity about the x-axis?

o A. Option A
o B. Option B
o C. Option C
o D. Option D

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 15 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

24. A beam is loaded as shown:

Select the two diagrams that most accurately represent the shear and bending moment for the
loaded beam shown.

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 19 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

37. 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 installer has an AWS D1.1 certification

38. To result in a compressive force of 15 kips on the diagonal brace shown, the horizontal
force H (kips) on the top of the form wall shown must be __________.

Enter your response in the blank.

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 27 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

55. The figure shows a wall construction plan.

Design Code:
NDS: National Design Specification for Wood Construction with Commentary, 2018 edition
and National Design Specification Supplement, Design Values for Wood Construction,
2018 edition.

Material:
Douglas Fir-Larch No. 2

Assumptions:
The gypsum board provides stud weak axis bracing.
CD = 1.6
CM = 1.0
Ct = 1.0
CF = 1.15
Ci = 1.00
Cp = 0.33 strong axis
Cp = 1.0 weak axis

Using allowable stress design, the maximum vertical load (lb) per stud is most nearly:

o A. 2,700
o B. 3,300
o C. 3,700
o D. 4,300

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 38 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

62. Label the correct characteristics of each figure of a roof diagram.

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 45 NEXT

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL PRACTICE EXAM

67. The cross section for a 50-ft-span, rectangular, prestressed beam is shown in the figure. The
beam has no mild reinforcing steel.

Design Code:
PCI: PCI Design Handbook: Precast and Prestressed Concrete, 7th edition, 2010.

Design data for prestressing strands:

Low relaxation – 1/2-in. diameter

fpu = 270 ksi
As = 0.153 in2 per strand
Stress at release = 175 ksi per strand (after initial losses)

If the top fiber stress at the midspan of the beam due to the beam self-weight is 0.65 ksi, the total
top fiber stress (ksi) at release at midspan is most nearly:

o A. 0.01 (tension)
o B. 0.50 (tension)
o C. 0.99 (compression)
o D. 2.29 (compression)

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 49 NEXT

This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

57
 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

1 ton
1. 1, 000 kN  1, 000 kN   112.4 tons
8.896444 kN
150 tons > 112.4 tons

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C

2. The wall translation (or strain) required to achieve the passive state is at least twice that required
to reach the active state.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

3. Effective vertical stress at Point A, v

 10 ft  120 pcf  5 ft 120 pcf  62.4 pcf   7 ft 110 pcf  62.4 pcf 
 1, 200 psf  288 psf  333 psf
 1,821 psf

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

4. The ultimate bearing capacity would be based on buoyant unit weight, also referred to as the
effective unit weight.

Effective unit weight = saturated unit weight – unit weight of water

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: A

5. Because the structure is cantilevered, in addition to the wind, dead load and live load will
contribute to uplift.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 58

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

16. By inspection, Member b = 0 kips, and Member c = 100 kips.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

17. Beam stress, f = M/S, where M = wL2/8 and S = bh2/6.

S is equal for both beams, but M varies because it depends on beam length.
Beam 1 (shorter beam): M1 = wL2/8
Beam 2 (longer beam): M2 = w(2L)2/8 = 4wL2/8

M2 is four times greater than M1. Therefore, the maximum bending stress is four times greater in
the longer beam.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

wL  1(30)  30 kips  15 kips

18. Uniform load: V 
2 2 2

Point load: V = P = 15 kips

2
P = 2(15) = 30 kips

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C

19. Ix is maximum for this section by inspection, or calculate Ix  Ad2 for each section.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 63

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

24. Referring to the beam shown in the question, there is a zero moment at the hinge.

THE CORRECT DIAGRAMS ARE SHOWN ABOVE.

(200 lb/ft)(20 ft) 2 (1, 000 lb)(20 ft)

25. M max  
8 4
 10, 000 ft-lb  5, 000 ft-lb  15, 000 ft-lb
(4 in.)(12 in.)3
I  576 in 4
12
fb  Mc
I
(15, 000 ft-lb)(6 in.)
 (12 in./ft)
576 in 4
fb  1,875 psi

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C

3 b d 3 8(12)3  4(8)3
26. I  bd  1 1   981 in 4
12 12 12
 10 ft   4, 000 lb 
V  1, 000 plf     7, 000 lb
 2   2 
VQ 7, 000 lb (85 in ) 3
 horizontal    151 psi
IB 981 in 4 (2  2 in.)

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 66

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

36. The temporary structure must be designed in compliance with applicable building codes,
regulations, and safety standards. The submittal review process helps to identify and address
potential safety issues or design flaws before the structure is installed, ensuring that the
temporary structure is safe and fit for its intended use.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: A

37. IBC 2018, Section 1705.2.1 (Structural steel), states that "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."

Therefore, per AISC 360-16 (AISC Steel Construction Manual), Chapter N (Quality Control and
Quality Assurance), N5.6 (Minimum Requirements for Inspection of Structural Steel Buildings -
Inspection of High-Strength Bolting) on p. 16.1-500:

Snug-tightened joints are required to be inspected to ensure the following:

1. Proper fastener components are used; therefore, proper product marking in accordance with
the applicable ASTM standard
2. The faying surfaces are brought into firm contact during installation of the bolts.

Note that the magnitude of the clamping force that exists in a snug-tightened joint is not a
consideration and need not be verified. ASTM A325N bolts would indicate that the bolts are a
snug-tightened joint and not pre-tensioned or slip-critical joints.

THE CORRECT ANSWERS ARE: C, D

38. The angle between the brace and horizontal is 50.9° = arctan (6 ft/5 ft)

Therefore, the 15-kip compressive force on the diagonal brace would be a horizontal force at the
top of the brace:

Horizontal force at the top of the brace = 15 kips × cos (50.2°) = 9.6 kips

Therefore, the H force is 6 ft/8 ft (9.6 kips) = 7.2 kips

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: ≥ 7.1 to ≤ 7.3

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 71

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

53. Reference: AISC, 15th ed., Part 16
rEW = rNS K EW  K NS
Buckling in east-west direction will control. Table C-A-7.1

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: B

54. Concrete reaches ultimate strain and fails prior to steel yielding. Failure is sudden without
warning (brittle failure).

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

55. Reference: NDS 2018

Douglas Fir-Larch No. 2, Fc  1,350 psi Table 4A Supplement

Fc*  ( Fc )(CD )(CM )(Ct )(CF )(Ci ) Table 4.3.1
 (1,350)(1.6)(1.0)(1.0)(1.15)(1.0)  2, 484 psi
Fc  ( Fc* )(CP ) Table 4.3.1
 (2, 484)(0.33)  819.72 psi
A  bd  (1.5)(3.5)  5.25 in 2
P  Fc A  (819.72)(5.25)  4,303 lb

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: D

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 76

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

62. Reference: ASCE 7-16, Section 12.3.

THE CORRECTLY LABELED DIAGRAMS ARE SHOWN ABOVE.

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 80

 This is a preview. Some pages have been omitted. Copyrighted by NCEES. For permission to reuse, email permissions@ncees.org.

PE CIVIL: STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

66. Vertical reaction to Footing B  150 kips  5 ft/6 ft  125 kips
Footing spring constant K  100 lb/in 3  24 in.  24 in.  57, 600 lb/in.
F = K
  F / K = 125 ×1,000/57,600 = 2.2 in.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: A

67. Reference: PCI, 7th ed., Chapter 4.

Total prestress force, P = 2 × 6 strands × 0.153 in2/strand × 175 ksi = 321.3 kips
Axial stress = P/A = 321.3/(36  18) = 0.496 ksi (compression)
Bending stress due to prestress = Pe/S S = bd 2 /6 = 18 × 362/6 = 3,888 in3
e = 36/2 – 3 – 2/2 = 14 in.
Bending stress due to prestress = 321.3 × 14/3,888 = 1.158 ksi (tension at top)

Bending stress due to beam self-weight = 0.65 ksi (compression at top)

Thus, stress at top at release = 0.49 – 1.15 + 0.65 = –0.01 ksi (tension)

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: A

68. Reference: AASHTO, 8th ed., Section 9.7.2.3

Leff = 8.5 ft – bf + flange overhang

= 8.5 ft – 1.5 ft + 0.25 ft + 0.25 ft
= 7.5 ft (7 ft 6 in.)

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: C

69. Reference: IBC 2018

The presumptive soil values are allowable stress values.

The presumptive vertical foundation pressure for a sandy

gravel and gravel (GW and GP) material is 3,000 psf (3 ksf). (Table 180 6.2)

Using the stated foundation plan size of 8 ft × 8 ft, the allowable

vertical load in kips is 3 (ksf) × 8 ft × 8 ft = 192 k.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: ≥ 190 to ≤ 194

Copyright ©2023 by NCEES 82