CME CME Structural Engineering & Facilities Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which phenomenon is a primary cause of concrete bridge deck deterioration in northern US states?
- Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) only
- Chloride-induced reinforcing steel corrosion from deicing salts (Correct answer)
- Thermal cycling above 100°F
- UV radiation degradation
Correct answer: Chloride-induced reinforcing steel corrosion from deicing salts
Chloride ions from road deicing salts penetrate concrete and initiate corrosion of reinforcing steel, causing cracking and spalling in northern bridge decks.
Question 2: What is the life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) approach used for in municipal facility and infrastructure decisions?
- Determine the cheapest upfront construction option
- Evaluate total costs over the useful life including initial cost, maintenance, and end-of-life to find the most economical option (Correct answer)
- Assess environmental impacts only
- Calculate depreciation for tax purposes
Correct answer: Evaluate total costs over the useful life including initial cost, maintenance, and end-of-life to find the most economical option
LCCA compares alternatives by summing all costs (construction, operation, maintenance, disposal) discounted to present value over the analysis period.
Question 3: Under ADA Title II, what must municipalities ensure regarding their existing buildings and facilities?
- All facilities must be fully reconstructed to current new construction standards within 5 years
- Programs and services must be accessible, achieved through a transition plan identifying barriers to be removed (Correct answer)
- Only new construction requires ADA compliance
- ADA applies only to federally owned buildings
Correct answer: Programs and services must be accessible, achieved through a transition plan identifying barriers to be removed
ADA Title II requires municipalities to make their programs accessible and develop transition plans to remove physical barriers in existing facilities over time.
Question 4: What is the significance of the FEMA flood insurance rate map (FIRM) for municipal building and infrastructure siting?
- It sets property tax rates in flood zones
- It delineates 100-year and 500-year flood zones that govern construction requirements and mandatory flood insurance (Correct answer)
- It regulates wetland fill permits
- It identifies seismic hazard zones
Correct answer: It delineates 100-year and 500-year flood zones that govern construction requirements and mandatory flood insurance
FIRMs show special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) requiring flood insurance for federally backed mortgages and triggering local floodplain management regulations.
Question 5: What does a geotechnical investigation (subsurface exploration) primarily provide for municipal infrastructure design?
- Environmental contamination assessment
- Soil and rock properties (bearing capacity, settlement, groundwater) needed for foundation and earthwork design (Correct answer)
- Right-of-way mapping
- Utility conflict identification
Correct answer: Soil and rock properties (bearing capacity, settlement, groundwater) needed for foundation and earthwork design
Geotechnical investigations characterize subsurface conditions through borings and testing, providing engineers with soil strength, compressibility, and groundwater data for design.
Question 6: What type of foundation is typically used when shallow soils cannot support structural loads and deeper competent material must be reached?
- Spread footing foundation
- Mat (raft) foundation
- Deep pile or drilled shaft foundation (Correct answer)
- Grade beam foundation
Correct answer: Deep pile or drilled shaft foundation
When near-surface soils are too weak or compressible, deep foundations such as driven piles or drilled shafts transfer structural loads to stronger soil or rock at depth.
CME CME Structural Engineering & Facilities Management 2
Which phenomenon is a primary cause of concrete bridge deck deterioration in northern US states?