Arkansas AR-ST Structural
Steel Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of structural steel in a
building?
A. Decorative finish
B. Load-bearing framework
C. Thermal insulation
D. Waterproofing
Answer: Load-bearing framework
Rationale: Structural steel provides the primary load-
carrying framework for many buildings and structures,
transferring gravity and lateral loads to the foundation.
2. What does AISC stand for?
A. American Institute of Structural Codes
B. American Institute of Steel Construction
C. American Industrial Steel Council
D. Association of International Steel Contractors
Answer: American Institute of Steel Construction
Rationale: AISC develops standards, specifications,
manuals, and certification programs widely used for
structural steel construction in the United States.
,3. Which ASTM specification commonly applies to wide-
flange structural shapes used in building construction?
A. ASTM A36 only
B. ASTM A992
C. ASTM A53
D. ASTM A500
Answer: ASTM A992
Rationale: ASTM A992 is commonly specified for rolled
structural shapes such as wide-flange beams and
columns.
4. What is the purpose of a structural steel base plate?
A. Provide a decorative cover
B. Distribute column loads to the supporting foundation
C. Prevent welding
D. Increase roof insulation
Answer: Distribute column loads to the supporting
foundation
Rationale: Base plates transfer and distribute column
forces to the concrete foundation or other supporting
structure.
5. What does the term "yield strength" describe?
A. Maximum temperature of steel
B. Weight of steel per foot
C. Stress at which permanent deformation begins
D. Steel's resistance to corrosion
Answer: Stress at which permanent deformation begins
,Rationale: Yield strength is the stress level at which
steel begins to undergo significant permanent plastic
deformation.
6. What does "ksi" mean?
A. Kilograms per square inch
B. Kips per square inch
C. Kilonewtons per square inch
D. Kilometers per square inch
Answer: Kips per square inch
Rationale: A kip equals 1,000 pounds-force, so ksi
means kips per square inch.
7. What is the approximate weight of one cubic foot of
structural steel?
A. 62.4 lb
B. 490 lb
C. 1,000 lb
D. 2,000 lb
Answer: 490 lb
Rationale: Structural steel has a density of
approximately 490 pounds per cubic foot.
8. Which member is commonly identified by the
designation W-shape?
A. Round pipe
B. Angle
C. Wide-flange beam
D. Flat plate
Answer: Wide-flange beam
, Rationale: W-shapes have parallel flanges and are
commonly used as beams and columns.
9. What is the primary function of a gusset plate?
A. Provide insulation
B. Prevent rust
C. Connect structural members at a joint
D. Seal concrete
Answer: Connect structural members at a joint
Rationale: Gusset plates are commonly used to connect
braces, beams, columns, and other structural members.
10. A moment connection is designed primarily to resist
what?
A. Paint failure
B. Temperature only
C. Vertical clearance
D. Bending moment and rotation
Answer: Bending moment and rotation
Rationale: A moment connection transfers bending
moments and provides significant rotational restraint
between connected members.
11. What is the main purpose of an erection drawing?
A. Determine payroll
B. Select paint colors
C. Show the location and assembly of structural steel
members
D. Calculate concrete mix proportions
Answer: Show the location and assembly of structural
steel members
Steel Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of structural steel in a
building?
A. Decorative finish
B. Load-bearing framework
C. Thermal insulation
D. Waterproofing
Answer: Load-bearing framework
Rationale: Structural steel provides the primary load-
carrying framework for many buildings and structures,
transferring gravity and lateral loads to the foundation.
2. What does AISC stand for?
A. American Institute of Structural Codes
B. American Institute of Steel Construction
C. American Industrial Steel Council
D. Association of International Steel Contractors
Answer: American Institute of Steel Construction
Rationale: AISC develops standards, specifications,
manuals, and certification programs widely used for
structural steel construction in the United States.
,3. Which ASTM specification commonly applies to wide-
flange structural shapes used in building construction?
A. ASTM A36 only
B. ASTM A992
C. ASTM A53
D. ASTM A500
Answer: ASTM A992
Rationale: ASTM A992 is commonly specified for rolled
structural shapes such as wide-flange beams and
columns.
4. What is the purpose of a structural steel base plate?
A. Provide a decorative cover
B. Distribute column loads to the supporting foundation
C. Prevent welding
D. Increase roof insulation
Answer: Distribute column loads to the supporting
foundation
Rationale: Base plates transfer and distribute column
forces to the concrete foundation or other supporting
structure.
5. What does the term "yield strength" describe?
A. Maximum temperature of steel
B. Weight of steel per foot
C. Stress at which permanent deformation begins
D. Steel's resistance to corrosion
Answer: Stress at which permanent deformation begins
,Rationale: Yield strength is the stress level at which
steel begins to undergo significant permanent plastic
deformation.
6. What does "ksi" mean?
A. Kilograms per square inch
B. Kips per square inch
C. Kilonewtons per square inch
D. Kilometers per square inch
Answer: Kips per square inch
Rationale: A kip equals 1,000 pounds-force, so ksi
means kips per square inch.
7. What is the approximate weight of one cubic foot of
structural steel?
A. 62.4 lb
B. 490 lb
C. 1,000 lb
D. 2,000 lb
Answer: 490 lb
Rationale: Structural steel has a density of
approximately 490 pounds per cubic foot.
8. Which member is commonly identified by the
designation W-shape?
A. Round pipe
B. Angle
C. Wide-flange beam
D. Flat plate
Answer: Wide-flange beam
, Rationale: W-shapes have parallel flanges and are
commonly used as beams and columns.
9. What is the primary function of a gusset plate?
A. Provide insulation
B. Prevent rust
C. Connect structural members at a joint
D. Seal concrete
Answer: Connect structural members at a joint
Rationale: Gusset plates are commonly used to connect
braces, beams, columns, and other structural members.
10. A moment connection is designed primarily to resist
what?
A. Paint failure
B. Temperature only
C. Vertical clearance
D. Bending moment and rotation
Answer: Bending moment and rotation
Rationale: A moment connection transfers bending
moments and provides significant rotational restraint
between connected members.
11. What is the main purpose of an erection drawing?
A. Determine payroll
B. Select paint colors
C. Show the location and assembly of structural steel
members
D. Calculate concrete mix proportions
Answer: Show the location and assembly of structural
steel members
