New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection
Exam 2026 | Verified Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive
Contractor License Exam Prep
NEW MEXICO GS-24 STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION EXAM 2026
Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive exam guide contains 200 practice questions designed to
prepare candidates for the New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection Contractor
License exam, with verified answers and detailed rationales for each question.
• Study this material by reviewing each question carefully, attempting to answer
before checking the solution, and focusing on rationales to understand the
reasoning behind correct answers for improved retention and exam readiness.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum tensile strength required for ASTM A36 steel?
A) 36,000 psi
B) 50,000 psi
C) 58,000 psi
D) 65,000 psi
E) 75,000 psi
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 58,000 psi
RATIONALE: ASTM A36 steel, the most common structural grade, has a specified
minimum yield strength of 36,000 psi and a minimum tensile strength of 58,000 psi.
This makes it ideal for structural applications where moderate strength and good
,weldability are required, making 58,000 psi the correct minimum tensile strength
specification.
QUESTION 2
Which type of weld is most commonly used in structural steel erection?
A) Plug weld
B) Fillet weld
C) Slot weld
D) Groove weld
E) Spot weld
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D) Groove weld
RATIONALE: Groove welds are the most commonly used in structural steel erection
because they create the strongest joints by melting the base metals together in a
prepared groove. This produces full fusion penetration and superior load-carrying
capacity compared to other weld types used in primary structural connections.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of a connection check list during structural steel
erection?
A) To document worker safety equipment
B) To verify that all connection components are present and connections meet
specifications
C) To record the daily weather conditions
D) To track material delivery schedules
E) To monitor crane operation hours
,✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) To verify that all connection components are present
and connections meet specifications
RATIONALE: A connection check list is a critical quality control tool used to ensure
every bolt, weld, shim, and component is present and installed correctly according
to design specifications before the connection is considered complete. This
prevents structural failures and costly rework.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT a factor in calculating bolt tension?
A) Bolt diameter
B) Material grade of bolt
C) Color of bolt coating
D) Thread condition
E) Installation method
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Color of bolt coating
RATIONALE: While bolt diameter, material grade, thread condition, and installation
method all affect the ultimate tension a bolt can achieve, the color of the bolt
coating is purely cosmetic and does not influence the mechanical properties or
tension-carrying capacity of the fastener.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum edge distance for bolted connections in structural
steel?
A) 0.5 inches
B) 1 inch
C) 1.5 inches
, D) 2 inches
E) 3 inches
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 1.5 inches
RATIONALE: Per AISC standards, the minimum edge distance for bolted connections
is 1.5 times the bolt diameter or 1.5 inches, whichever is greater. This distance
prevents premature bolt shear-out and ensures adequate material around the
fastener hole to develop full strength.
QUESTION 6
Which type of bolt is used for slip-critical connections?
A) Machine bolts
B) Anchor bolts
C) High-strength friction-grip bolts
D) Carriage bolts
E) Hex head bolts
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) High-strength friction-grip bolts
RATIONALE: High-strength friction-grip bolts (ASTM A325 or A490) are specifically
designed for slip-critical connections where load transfer occurs through friction
between the connected plates. These bolts develop high clamping force to create
the necessary friction resistance.
QUESTION 7
What is the proper procedure when torquing high-strength bolts?
A) Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply torque in one continuous motion
B) Apply half the required torque, then release before applying full torque
C) Use an impact wrench for faster installation
Exam 2026 | Verified Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive
Contractor License Exam Prep
NEW MEXICO GS-24 STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION EXAM 2026
Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive exam guide contains 200 practice questions designed to
prepare candidates for the New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection Contractor
License exam, with verified answers and detailed rationales for each question.
• Study this material by reviewing each question carefully, attempting to answer
before checking the solution, and focusing on rationales to understand the
reasoning behind correct answers for improved retention and exam readiness.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum tensile strength required for ASTM A36 steel?
A) 36,000 psi
B) 50,000 psi
C) 58,000 psi
D) 65,000 psi
E) 75,000 psi
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 58,000 psi
RATIONALE: ASTM A36 steel, the most common structural grade, has a specified
minimum yield strength of 36,000 psi and a minimum tensile strength of 58,000 psi.
This makes it ideal for structural applications where moderate strength and good
,weldability are required, making 58,000 psi the correct minimum tensile strength
specification.
QUESTION 2
Which type of weld is most commonly used in structural steel erection?
A) Plug weld
B) Fillet weld
C) Slot weld
D) Groove weld
E) Spot weld
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D) Groove weld
RATIONALE: Groove welds are the most commonly used in structural steel erection
because they create the strongest joints by melting the base metals together in a
prepared groove. This produces full fusion penetration and superior load-carrying
capacity compared to other weld types used in primary structural connections.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of a connection check list during structural steel
erection?
A) To document worker safety equipment
B) To verify that all connection components are present and connections meet
specifications
C) To record the daily weather conditions
D) To track material delivery schedules
E) To monitor crane operation hours
,✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) To verify that all connection components are present
and connections meet specifications
RATIONALE: A connection check list is a critical quality control tool used to ensure
every bolt, weld, shim, and component is present and installed correctly according
to design specifications before the connection is considered complete. This
prevents structural failures and costly rework.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT a factor in calculating bolt tension?
A) Bolt diameter
B) Material grade of bolt
C) Color of bolt coating
D) Thread condition
E) Installation method
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Color of bolt coating
RATIONALE: While bolt diameter, material grade, thread condition, and installation
method all affect the ultimate tension a bolt can achieve, the color of the bolt
coating is purely cosmetic and does not influence the mechanical properties or
tension-carrying capacity of the fastener.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum edge distance for bolted connections in structural
steel?
A) 0.5 inches
B) 1 inch
C) 1.5 inches
, D) 2 inches
E) 3 inches
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) 1.5 inches
RATIONALE: Per AISC standards, the minimum edge distance for bolted connections
is 1.5 times the bolt diameter or 1.5 inches, whichever is greater. This distance
prevents premature bolt shear-out and ensures adequate material around the
fastener hole to develop full strength.
QUESTION 6
Which type of bolt is used for slip-critical connections?
A) Machine bolts
B) Anchor bolts
C) High-strength friction-grip bolts
D) Carriage bolts
E) Hex head bolts
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) High-strength friction-grip bolts
RATIONALE: High-strength friction-grip bolts (ASTM A325 or A490) are specifically
designed for slip-critical connections where load transfer occurs through friction
between the connected plates. These bolts develop high clamping force to create
the necessary friction resistance.
QUESTION 7
What is the proper procedure when torquing high-strength bolts?
A) Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply torque in one continuous motion
B) Apply half the required torque, then release before applying full torque
C) Use an impact wrench for faster installation
