FE Civil Engineering Exam Prep #2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The rate of flow in a force main leaving a stormwater pump station can be measured by which of the following?

Venturi meter (Correct answer)
Disk meter
Positive displacement factor
Calibration meter

Correct answer: Venturi meter

A Venturi meter is a specialized device used to measure the flow rate of a fluid in a pipe by creating a constriction that causes a pressure drop. By measuring this pressure difference, the fluid's velocity and, consequently, its volumetric flow rate can be accurately determined. This makes it an effective tool for measuring flow in closed conduits like force mains leaving a stormwater pump station.

Question 2: The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommended stopping sight distances are based on the operation of which type of vehicle?

Bicycle
Passenger car (Correct answer)
Truck
Railroad car

Correct answer: Passenger car

The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bases its recommended stopping sight distances primarily on the operational characteristics of a passenger car. This approach ensures that the design standards accommodate the most common type of vehicle on the road. The braking capabilities, driver reaction times, and typical eye heights associated with passenger cars are used as the baseline for these critical safety calculations.

Question 3: Which of the following philosophies is described as follows: “If the behavior of a structure is linearly elastic, the forces acting on it may be separated, and the structure analyzed for separate cases. The final results are found by summing the individual results.”

Castigliano’s First Theorem
Principle of Superposition (Correct answer)
Clapeyron’s Equation
None of the above

Correct answer: Principle of Superposition

The Principle of Superposition is a fundamental concept in structural analysis, stating that for a linearly elastic structure subjected to multiple loads, the total response (such as deflections, stresses, or internal forces) at any point is the algebraic sum of the responses caused by each load acting independently. This principle greatly simplifies the analysis of complex loading conditions by allowing engineers to break them down into simpler, manageable cases.

Question 4: Upon which of the following series of elements is a traverse that connects successive points based?

Bearings and distances
Angles and distances
Azimuths and distances
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

A traverse is a fundamental surveying method that involves a series of connected lines whose lengths and directions are measured to determine the relative positions of points. The direction of these lines can be expressed using various angular measurements, including bearings (angles from North or South), azimuths (angles clockwise from North), or interior/exterior angles. Therefore, a traverse is based on a combination of angular measurements and distances to define successive points.

Question 5: What is the most common way in which the foundation support cost is expressed when conducting a cost effectiveness analysis of foundation alternatives?

Total foundation system cost
Total foundation system cost / load the foundation supports (Correct answer)
Total foundation system cost / foundation system footprint area
Total foundation system cost / foundation system volume

Correct answer: Total foundation system cost / load the foundation supports

When conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis for foundation alternatives, expressing the cost as 'Total foundation system cost / load the foundation supports' provides the most meaningful comparison. This metric normalizes the cost against the primary function of the foundation – supporting a load – allowing engineers to directly assess the economic efficiency of different foundation designs in terms of their load-bearing capacity.

Question 6: Which of the following best describes the term maximum bending moment in a beam?

Point along the beam that will deflect the furthest from the normal plane
Point at which shear forces change from positive to negative within the beam (Correct answer)
Point at which a beam will fail due to bending
All of the above

Correct answer: Point at which shear forces change from positive to negative within the beam

The maximum bending moment in a beam occurs at the point where the shear force diagram crosses the zero axis, meaning the shear force changes from positive to negative (or vice versa). This is because the bending moment is the integral of the shear force, and a function reaches its maximum or minimum value when its derivative (the shear force) is zero. Understanding this point is critical for designing beams to resist bending stresses.

Question 7: Why is C considered to be a low-level programming language?

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) recommends that all beams be designed using high strength concrete
High strength concrete compression strengths range from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds per square inch
Compression strength of normal concrete ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds per square inch (Correct answer)
None of the above

Correct answer: Compression strength of normal concrete ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds per square inch

This question appears to have mismatched options, as it asks about programming languages but provides answers related to concrete strength. However, if we interpret the correct answer 'Compression strength of normal concrete ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 pounds per square inch' as a standalone fact, it describes the typical strength range for concrete used in various construction applications. This range is crucial for engineers to select appropriate concrete mixes for structural design based on required load-bearing capacity and durability.

Question 8: Which of the following answers best describes why is it important to use critical path project management tools?

1, 2, 3, 4
3, 1, 2, 4
2, 4, 3, 1 (Correct answer)
1, 3, 2, 4

Correct answer: 2, 4, 3, 1

This question is incomplete as the numbered statements (1, 2, 3, 4) that the answer '2, 4, 3, 1' refers to are missing. However, critical path project management tools are vital for identifying the longest sequence of tasks (the critical path) that must be completed on time for the entire project to finish on schedule. They help in optimizing resource allocation, monitoring progress, and forecasting project completion dates by highlighting critical activities and potential bottlenecks.

Question 9: What is the difference between an algorithm and a protocol?

It gives the programmer direct control over memory and hardware. (Correct answer)
It is usually learned early in a programmer’s education.
It is not as powerful as some other languages.
It is only useful for simple tasks.

Correct answer: It gives the programmer direct control over memory and hardware.

This question appears to have mismatched options, as it asks about algorithms and protocols but provides an answer related to programming languages. However, if we interpret the correct answer 'It gives the programmer direct control over memory and hardware' as a standalone fact, it describes a key characteristic of low-level programming languages like C. This direct control allows for highly optimized and efficient code, which is essential for system programming, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications.

Question 10: Which of the following equations is used for evaluating a retaining structure’s factor of safety of against overturning (FSo)?

To ensure consistent reporting and project benchmarking
To produce reports or graphics that are easy to understand
To obtain the information needed to assess the cost, status or performance of the project
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

This question is incomplete as the numbered statements (1, 2, 3, 4) that the answer '1, 3, 4' refers to are missing. However, the factor of safety against overturning (FSo) for a retaining structure is typically evaluated by comparing the resisting moments (generated by the weight of the structure and soil) to the overturning moments (caused by lateral earth pressures). Various design codes and engineering principles provide specific equations and factors to ensure the stability of such structures against overturning.

Question 11: What is Moore’s law?

1, 2
1, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 3, 4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1, 3, 4

This question is incomplete as the numbered statements (1, 3, 4) that the answer refers to are missing. However, Moore's Law, proposed by Gordon Moore, is an observation that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years. This principle has historically driven rapid advancements in computing power, miniaturization, and the overall progress of the semiconductor industry, though its continued validity is a subject of ongoing discussion.

Question 12: In which of the following file formats can raster data be saved?

Control
Route
Photogrammetric (Correct answer)
Topographic

Correct answer: Photogrammetric

While 'Photogrammetric' itself is a method or field, not a file format, raster data is fundamental to photogrammetry, which involves making measurements from photographs. Data acquired through photogrammetric processes, such as aerial imagery or drone surveys, is inherently raster-based. This data is typically saved in various common raster file formats like TIFF, JPEG, PNG, or GeoTIFF, which store images as a grid of pixels, each containing specific attribute values.

Question 13: What activity reduces huge amounts of data to smaller sets of meaningful, usable data?

7.5 lbs (Correct answer)
10 lbs
75 lbs
None of the above

Correct answer: 7.5 lbs

The correct answer, "7.5 lbs," represents a specific unit of weight. However, this measurement is entirely unrelated to the concept of data reduction, which involves processing large datasets into smaller, more meaningful forms. Therefore, "7.5 lbs" cannot be the correct answer to the question as posed.

Question 14: Which of the following are examples of unethical conduct by a Professional Land Surveyor?

Software documentation (Correct answer)
A cooking recipe
A computer program
Standard cryptographic attacks

Correct answer: Software documentation

"Software documentation" refers to the written materials that describe software, its features, and how to use it. While essential for software development, it is not an example of unethical conduct by a Professional Land Surveyor. The provided answer is unrelated to the question about professional ethics in land surveying.

Question 15: Which of the following is a common procedural error encountered during leveling?

The BIOS loads the operating system. (Correct answer)
The BIOS mediates between the operating system and the computer.
The BIOS mediates between the operating system and the user.
The BIOS is a backup in case the operating system fails.

Correct answer: The BIOS loads the operating system.

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is firmware that initializes computer hardware during the booting process and then loads the operating system from storage. This is a fundamental function of BIOS in computer systems. However, this statement is unrelated to procedural errors encountered during "leveling," which is a surveying or engineering term.

Question 16: The deflection angles of a closed traverse should equal:

Algorithms say what needs to be done; protocols also say who is responsible for doing it. (Correct answer)
Protocols do not necessarily solve problems.
Protocols always involve more than one actor.
Protocols are specifically used in software engineering.

Correct answer: Algorithms say what needs to be done; protocols also say who is responsible for doing it.

This statement accurately distinguishes between algorithms and protocols in computer science. An algorithm defines a step-by-step procedure to solve a problem, while a protocol specifies the rules and conventions for communication and interaction, often including roles and responsibilities. This concept is unrelated to the sum of deflection angles in a closed traverse in surveying.

Question 17: Which of the following statements is valid when considering a fence as representing a boundary?

ARPANET (Correct answer)
FTP
HTTP
The World Wide Web

Correct answer: ARPANET

ARPANET was a pioneering wide-area packet-switching network developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, considered a precursor to the internet. It was a significant technological achievement in computer networking. However, ARPANET has no relevance to the validity of a fence representing a boundary in land surveying or property law.

Question 18: Given a triangle with sides a = 20 feet, b = 40 feet, and c = 56, what is the area in square feet?

FSo = resisting moment / overturning force
FSo = resisting force / overturning force
FSo = resisting moment / overturning moment (Correct answer)
FSo = resisting force/ overturning moment

Correct answer: FSo = resisting moment / overturning moment

This formula correctly defines the Factor of Safety against overturning (FSo), which is a critical stability criterion in geotechnical and structural engineering. It compares the moments that resist overturning to those that cause overturning. This engineering principle is unrelated to calculating the area of a triangle with given side lengths.

Question 19: What must be true about two given objects so that energy can be transferred as heat between them?

White-hat hackers are security experts who do not break the law.
White-hat hackers expose security vulnerabilities so that they can be corrected. (Correct answer)
White-hat hackers are hackers who work for the government.
White-hat hackers are programmers who track down cybercriminals.

Correct answer: White-hat hackers expose security vulnerabilities so that they can be corrected.

White-hat hackers are ethical security experts who use their skills to identify and report security flaws in systems, often with permission, to improve overall security. Their work is crucial for preventing malicious attacks by "black-hat" hackers. This definition of white-hat hackers is unrelated to the physical principles governing heat transfer between objects.

Question 20: The given numbers are daily groundwater elevation readings from a monitoring well taken during a month experiencing snowmelt and extended rainfall events. 7.67.6 7.77.7 4.34.3 5.95.9 5.05.0 10.510.5 7.77.7 9.59.5 12.012.0 12.612.6 7.6 7.7 4.3 5.9 5.0 10.5 7.7 9.5 12.0 12.6 6.56.5 8.38.3 8.28.2 13.213.2 12.612.6 13.613.6 14.114.1 13.513.5 11.511.5 12.012.0 6.5 8.3 8.2 13.2 12.6 13.6 14.1 13.5 11.5 12.0 10.410.4 10.810.8 13.113.1 12.512.5 10.410.4 13.013.0 14.114.1 15.115.1 10.4 10.8 13.1 12.5 10.4 13.0 14.1 15.1 What is the sample variance of these groundwater elevation readings?

The fact that the data can be changed easily
The fact that the encoding protocol is considered sloppy by some
The fact that the disks used to be bendable (Correct answer)
The fact that they go between computers, i.e. flip flop

Correct answer: The fact that the disks used to be bendable

This statement refers to the physical characteristic of early floppy disks, which were flexible magnetic storage media. Their bendability was a defining feature that gave them their name. This historical detail about computer hardware is entirely unrelated to calculating the sample variance of groundwater elevation readings.

FE Civil Engineering Exam Prep #2

The rate of flow in a force main leaving a stormwater pump station can be measured by which of the following?