Civil Engineering PE Project Planning and Estimating 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project has the following activities with durations: A=5d, B=3d, C=4d, D=6d, E=2d. The network shows A→C→E and A→B→D→E as paths. What is the critical path duration?
- 11 days
- 16 days (Correct answer)
- 14 days
- 13 days
Correct answer: 16 days
Path A→B→D→E = 5+3+6+2 = 16 days, which is longer than A→C→E = 5+4+2 = 11 days, making it the critical path.
Question 2: Which estimating method uses historical cost data from similar completed projects as its primary basis?
- Parametric estimating
- Analogous estimating (Correct answer)
- Bottom-up estimating
- Three-point estimating
Correct answer: Analogous estimating
Analogous estimating relies on actual cost data from previous similar projects to estimate future project costs.
Question 3: A contractor submits a bid of $2,400,000 for a project. If the contractor's overhead is 12% and profit is 8% of the total bid, what is the estimated direct cost?
- $1,920,000 (Correct answer)
- $1,800,000
- $2,016,000
- $1,680,000
Correct answer: $1,920,000
Direct cost = $2,400,000 × (1 - 0.12 - 0.08) = $2,400,000 × 0.80 = $1,920,000.
Question 4: In earned value management, a project has BAC=$500,000, EV=$300,000, AC=$350,000. What is the Cost Performance Index (CPI)?
- 0.86 (Correct answer)
- 1.17
- 0.60
- 0.70
Correct answer: 0.86
CPI = EV/AC = $300,000/$350,000 ≈ 0.86, indicating the project is over budget.
Question 5: The Master Format specification system used in construction is organized primarily by:
- Geographic location
- Project phase
- Work results and construction products (Correct answer)
- Trade contractor type
Correct answer: Work results and construction products
MasterFormat organizes specifications by work results and construction products, providing a standard numbering system for construction documents.
Question 6: What does a negative float (slack) on a non-critical activity indicate in a project schedule?
- The activity has extra time available
- The project is ahead of schedule
- The project cannot meet its deadline without changes (Correct answer)
- The activity is on the critical path
Correct answer: The project cannot meet its deadline without changes
Negative float indicates the project schedule is infeasible and cannot meet its imposed deadline without compressing activities or adding resources.
Question 7: A construction project uses a unit price contract for earthwork at $8.50/CY. If the estimated quantity is 50,000 CY but the actual quantity is 62,000 CY, what is the final payment for earthwork?
- $425,000
- $527,000 (Correct answer)
- $476,000
- $511,000
Correct answer: $527,000
Final payment = actual quantity × unit price = 62,000 CY × $8.50/CY = $527,000.
Civil Engineering PE Project Planning and Estimating 2
A project has the following activities with durations: A=5d, B=3d, C=4d, D=6d, E=2d.
The network shows A→C→E and A→B→D→E as paths.
What is the critical path duration?