LOUISIANA HIGHWAY, STREET & BRIDGE
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE EXAM ACTUAL
PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a subgrade in highway
construction?
A. To provide surface friction for vehicles
B. To act as the primary drainage layer
C. To support the pavement structure and distribute loads
D. To prevent surface cracking in asphalt
Rationale: The subgrade provides structural support for the pavement,
distributing traffic loads to underlying soils.
2. During construction, a soil sample is tested for optimum moisture content
using the Proctor test. Why is this measurement critical?
A. To determine the soil’s chemical composition
B. To calculate the soil’s shrinkage factor
C. To achieve maximum soil compaction and strength
D. To evaluate surface drainage capacity
Rationale: Optimum moisture content ensures the soil can reach
maximum dry density, critical for stable pavement foundations.
3. A contractor discovers that a bridge pier foundation is located in an area
with high sulfate soils. What action should be taken according to standard
practice?
A. Proceed with normal concrete mix
B. Increase reinforcement spacing
, C. Use sulfate-resistant concrete or protective coatings
D. Reduce curing time
Rationale: Sulfate attack can deteriorate standard concrete; using sulfate-
resistant mix prevents long-term damage.
4. Which type of asphalt mix is most appropriate for a high-traffic interstate in
Louisiana with hot and humid conditions?
A. Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)
B. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC)
C. Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
D. Cold mix asphalt
Rationale: Superpave HMA provides durability under high temperatures
and heavy traffic loads.
5. According to Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
(LaDOTD) specifications, which method is preferred for controlling erosion
on highway embankments during construction?
A. Gravel surfacing only
B. Temporary seeding, mulching, and silt fences
C. Compaction without vegetation
D. Asphalt overlay before completion
Rationale: Erosion control measures prevent sediment runoff and comply
with LaDOTD environmental standards.
6. A contractor must build a highway embankment over a clayey soil prone to
swelling. Which geotechnical solution is most appropriate?
A. Use lightweight concrete blocks
B. Stabilize soil with lime or cement treatment
C. Increase compaction without treatment
D. Place a thin asphalt layer on top
, Rationale: Lime or cement stabilization reduces plasticity and swelling
potential of clay soils, improving embankment stability.
7. The minimum design speed for a rural two-lane highway in Louisiana is
typically determined based on:
A. Vehicle type only
B. Terrain aesthetics
C. Functional classification and terrain type
D. Construction budget
Rationale: Design speed reflects safety and operational criteria aligned
with highway function and terrain.
8. Which testing method is used to determine the in-situ density of compacted
subgrade soils?
A. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
B. Nuclear gauge density test
C. Atterberg limits
D. Proctor test
Rationale: Nuclear density gauges measure field compaction without
destructive sampling.
9. A bridge construction project in Louisiana requires a prestressed concrete
girder. What is the primary benefit of prestressing?
A. Reduces weight of steel reinforcement
B. Eliminates need for bearings
C. Increases load-carrying capacity by introducing pre-compression
D. Reduces curing time
Rationale: Prestressing introduces compression to counteract tensile
stresses, enhancing strength and service life.
, 10.During asphalt paving, the mat shows segregation with coarse aggregate
near the surface. What is the likely cause?
A. Insufficient compaction effort
B. Excessive tack coat application
C. Improper handling or transport of asphalt mix
D. Cold ambient temperature only
Rationale: Segregation occurs when aggregates separate from binder due
to improper loading, transport, or dumping practices.
11.Which drainage structure is critical to prevent undermining of a highway
embankment in Louisiana’s high-rainfall areas?
A. Shoulder drains only
B. Open ditch with no outlets
C. Subsurface underdrains and culverts
D. Riprap without inlets
Rationale: Subsurface drains and culverts control groundwater and
surface water, preventing soil erosion and settlement.
12.A contractor encounters unexpected peat deposits during subgrade
excavation. What is the standard engineering response?
A. Compact the peat as is
B. Replace with asphalt
C. Excavate and replace with engineered fill or stabilized soil
D. Add a thin gravel layer on top
Rationale: Peat has very low bearing capacity; proper removal and
replacement ensure stability of pavement or bridge foundations.
13.According to Louisiana safety regulations, which is the most critical PPE for
personnel working near heavy highway construction equipment?
A. Steel-toe boots only
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE EXAM ACTUAL
PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a subgrade in highway
construction?
A. To provide surface friction for vehicles
B. To act as the primary drainage layer
C. To support the pavement structure and distribute loads
D. To prevent surface cracking in asphalt
Rationale: The subgrade provides structural support for the pavement,
distributing traffic loads to underlying soils.
2. During construction, a soil sample is tested for optimum moisture content
using the Proctor test. Why is this measurement critical?
A. To determine the soil’s chemical composition
B. To calculate the soil’s shrinkage factor
C. To achieve maximum soil compaction and strength
D. To evaluate surface drainage capacity
Rationale: Optimum moisture content ensures the soil can reach
maximum dry density, critical for stable pavement foundations.
3. A contractor discovers that a bridge pier foundation is located in an area
with high sulfate soils. What action should be taken according to standard
practice?
A. Proceed with normal concrete mix
B. Increase reinforcement spacing
, C. Use sulfate-resistant concrete or protective coatings
D. Reduce curing time
Rationale: Sulfate attack can deteriorate standard concrete; using sulfate-
resistant mix prevents long-term damage.
4. Which type of asphalt mix is most appropriate for a high-traffic interstate in
Louisiana with hot and humid conditions?
A. Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)
B. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC)
C. Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
D. Cold mix asphalt
Rationale: Superpave HMA provides durability under high temperatures
and heavy traffic loads.
5. According to Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
(LaDOTD) specifications, which method is preferred for controlling erosion
on highway embankments during construction?
A. Gravel surfacing only
B. Temporary seeding, mulching, and silt fences
C. Compaction without vegetation
D. Asphalt overlay before completion
Rationale: Erosion control measures prevent sediment runoff and comply
with LaDOTD environmental standards.
6. A contractor must build a highway embankment over a clayey soil prone to
swelling. Which geotechnical solution is most appropriate?
A. Use lightweight concrete blocks
B. Stabilize soil with lime or cement treatment
C. Increase compaction without treatment
D. Place a thin asphalt layer on top
, Rationale: Lime or cement stabilization reduces plasticity and swelling
potential of clay soils, improving embankment stability.
7. The minimum design speed for a rural two-lane highway in Louisiana is
typically determined based on:
A. Vehicle type only
B. Terrain aesthetics
C. Functional classification and terrain type
D. Construction budget
Rationale: Design speed reflects safety and operational criteria aligned
with highway function and terrain.
8. Which testing method is used to determine the in-situ density of compacted
subgrade soils?
A. California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
B. Nuclear gauge density test
C. Atterberg limits
D. Proctor test
Rationale: Nuclear density gauges measure field compaction without
destructive sampling.
9. A bridge construction project in Louisiana requires a prestressed concrete
girder. What is the primary benefit of prestressing?
A. Reduces weight of steel reinforcement
B. Eliminates need for bearings
C. Increases load-carrying capacity by introducing pre-compression
D. Reduces curing time
Rationale: Prestressing introduces compression to counteract tensile
stresses, enhancing strength and service life.
, 10.During asphalt paving, the mat shows segregation with coarse aggregate
near the surface. What is the likely cause?
A. Insufficient compaction effort
B. Excessive tack coat application
C. Improper handling or transport of asphalt mix
D. Cold ambient temperature only
Rationale: Segregation occurs when aggregates separate from binder due
to improper loading, transport, or dumping practices.
11.Which drainage structure is critical to prevent undermining of a highway
embankment in Louisiana’s high-rainfall areas?
A. Shoulder drains only
B. Open ditch with no outlets
C. Subsurface underdrains and culverts
D. Riprap without inlets
Rationale: Subsurface drains and culverts control groundwater and
surface water, preventing soil erosion and settlement.
12.A contractor encounters unexpected peat deposits during subgrade
excavation. What is the standard engineering response?
A. Compact the peat as is
B. Replace with asphalt
C. Excavate and replace with engineered fill or stabilized soil
D. Add a thin gravel layer on top
Rationale: Peat has very low bearing capacity; proper removal and
replacement ensure stability of pavement or bridge foundations.
13.According to Louisiana safety regulations, which is the most critical PPE for
personnel working near heavy highway construction equipment?
A. Steel-toe boots only
