Free FE Civil Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the FE Civil practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1What is the slope of the line through (2, 9) and (8, -3)?

   1. A. Negative two
   2. B. Negative one-half
   3. C. Positive one-half
   4. D. Positive two

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "For a straight line, slope is equal to rise over run". Thus m = (-3 - 9)/(8 - 2) = -2. Reversing the ratio gives -0.5; dropping the sign gives a positive result.

   Reference: DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Mathematics, Volume 1 — MA-02, Slopes, p. 85

2. 2Under the NSPE Code, an engineer's safety judgment is overruled in circumstances endangering life. What response is required?

   1. A. Notify the employer or client and other appropriate authority
   2. B. Document the objection privately and proceed without notification
   3. C. Notify the client only after an injury establishes the danger
   4. D. Defer notification while the client accepts financial responsibility

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NSPE requires that engineers "shall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate." The rule applies when their judgment is overruled under circumstances endangering life or property; private documentation, waiting for harm, and shifting financial risk do not satisfy it.

   Reference: NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers — Rules of Practice, public safety canon, paragraph beginning If engineers' judgment is overruled

3. 3A uniform net pressure of 2 kPa acts normally on one face of a 3 m by 2 m flat panel. What is the magnitude of its resultant force?

   1. A. 6 kN
   2. B. 10 kN
   3. C. 12 kN
   4. D. 24 kN

   Answer: C

   Explanation: NASA states, "Integrating the pressure times the surface area around the body determines the aerodynamic force on the object." For a flat panel under uniform net pressure, R = pA = 2(3)(2) = 12 kN. The alternatives confuse one dimension, perimeter, or an extra face with loaded area.

   Reference: NASA Glenn: Generalized Center of Pressure — Center of Pressure, first paragraph

4. 4A particle moves along a straight line with initial velocity 4 m/s and constant acceleration 3 m/s² in the same direction. What is its velocity after 2 s?

   1. A. 6 m/s
   2. B. 7 m/s
   3. C. 8 m/s
   4. D. 10 m/s

   Answer: D

   Explanation: DOE states, "The acceleration equals the rate of change of velocity with respect to time." With constant acceleration, the change in velocity is aΔt = 6 m/s, so v = 4 + 6 = 10 m/s. The other choices omit or misapply the initial velocity or time.

   Reference: DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Mathematics, Volume 2 — MA-05, Calculus, p. 34, example 4

5. 5A concrete batch contains 160 kg of total mixing water, 300 kg of cement, and 100 kg of fly ash. What is its water-to-cementitious-materials mass ratio?

   1. A. 0.30
   2. B. 0.40
   3. C. 0.53
   4. D. 1.60

   Answer: B

   Explanation: FHWA defines the ratio using water "divided by the combined mass of the cement and any additional cementitious materials". Thus w/cm = 160/(300 + 100) = 0.40. Ignoring fly ash gives 0.53; the other values use the wrong numerator or denominator.

   Reference: FHWA HIPERPAV II: Chapter 5, Input Parameters — §5.2.2, Cement Type and Content

6. 6A flow is collected in a calibrated tank. It takes 40 s to collect 0.80 m³. What is the average volumetric flow rate?

   1. A. 0.020 m³/s
   2. B. 0.032 m³/s
   3. C. 0.050 m³/s
   4. D. 0.200 m³/s

   Answer: A

   Explanation: USBR states, "Discharge or rate of flow has units of volume divided by unit time." Thus Q = 0.80/40 = 0.020 m³/s. The other values use an incorrect time or volume conversion.

   Reference: USBR Water Measurement Manual: Basic Principles of Water Measurement — Basic Principles of Water Measurement, paragraph beginning Discharge or rate of flow

7. 7A watershed's soil is already saturated when another storm begins. Compared with the same soil when dry, what hydrologic response is generally expected under otherwise comparable rainfall?

   1. A. Less additional infiltration and more surface runoff
   2. B. More additional infiltration and less surface runoff
   3. C. Less additional infiltration and less surface runoff
   4. D. More additional infiltration and more groundwater storage capacity

   Answer: A

   Explanation: USGS states that "soil already saturated from previous rainfall can't absorb much more". Limited additional soil-water storage promotes surface runoff; the alternatives reverse that relationship or assume increased storage capacity in already saturated soil.

   Reference: USGS Water Science School: Infiltration and the Water Cycle — Factors affecting infiltration, Soil saturation

8. 8A vertical column carries a 40-kN downward roof load and a 60-kN downward floor load below the roof. Neglect column weight. What axial force acts in the column segment below both loads?

   1. A. 20 kN in compression
   2. B. 60 kN in compression
   3. C. 100 kN in compression
   4. D. 100 kN in tension

   Answer: C

   Explanation: DOE states, "the net force on the object is equal to zero." A cut below both loads must transmit an upward 100-kN force on the upper free body. The column segment is therefore in compression.

   Reference: DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Classical Physics — CP-04, p. 12, Equilibrium

9. 9What is the role of designated design speed in roadway geometric design?

   1. A. It specifies the observed average speed during every hour.
   2. B. It provides a selected basis for geometric features such as curve radius.
   3. C. It establishes the legal speed limit without a separate determination.
   4. D. It specifies the maximum speed physically attainable by a vehicle.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: FHWA states, "The designated design speed is used explicitly for determining minimum values for highway design such as horizontal curve radius and sight distance." It is a design input, distinct from measured operating speed, a legal limit, or a physical maximum.

   Reference: FHWA Speed Concepts Informational Guide: Engineering and Technical Concepts — Chapter 4, Design Speed

10. 10On a federal construction project, design and construction are combined in one contract with one contractor. Which project delivery method does FAR 36.102 identify?

    1. A. Design-bid-build
    2. B. Separate prime contracting
    3. C. Construction management as adviser
    4. D. Design-build

    Answer: D

    Explanation: FAR states, "Design-build means combining design and construction in a single contract with one contractor." The decisive condition is the combined design-and-construction contractual responsibility.

    Reference: Federal Acquisition Regulation 36.102: Definitions — 36.102, Design-build definition