AK Bridge Construction Contractor Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a bridge foundation?
a. To improve roadway drainage
b. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads safely into
the ground
c. To reduce traffic noise
d. To provide a finished driving surface
Answer: b. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads
safely into the ground
Rationale: Bridge foundations transfer vertical, lateral, and
sometimes uplift forces from the superstructure and substructure into
competent soil or rock. Proper foundation design is essential for
stability and settlement control.
, 2. Which bridge component directly supports the deck and transfers
loads to the piers or abutments?
a. Expansion joint
b. Bearing
c. Superstructure framing system
d. Drainage inlet
Answer: c. Superstructure framing system
Rationale: The superstructure includes the deck, girders, beams,
trusses, or other structural elements that carry traffic loads and
transfer them to the supporting substructure.
3. What is the main function of an abutment?
a. To support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
b. To support only construction equipment
c. To provide electrical grounding
d. To replace expansion joints
Answer: a. To support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
Rationale: Abutments support the bridge at its ends and commonly
retain the soil forming the roadway approaches. They also resist earth
pressure and transmit structural loads to the foundation.
4. What is a pier used for in a multi-span bridge?
,a. To support intermediate portions of the superstructure
b. To seal concrete cracks
c. To control pavement markings
d. To replace the bridge deck
Answer: a. To support intermediate portions of the superstructure
Rationale: Piers are intermediate vertical or inclined supports located
between abutments. They carry loads from the superstructure and
transfer them to their foundations.
5. Why are bridge bearings installed between the superstructure
and substructure?
a. To increase concrete density
b. To allow controlled movement and transfer loads
c. To eliminate all bridge vibration
d. To prevent concrete curing
Answer: b. To allow controlled movement and transfer loads
Rationale: Bearings transfer forces while permitting movements
caused by temperature changes, shrinkage, creep, rotation, and other
structural effects.
6. Which condition is particularly important when constructing
bridge foundations in a river?
, a. Water depth and scour potential
b. Paint color
c. Lane-striping width
d. Guardrail reflectivity
Answer: a. Water depth and scour potential
Rationale: Flowing water can erode material around foundations, a
process known as scour. Foundation construction must account for
hydraulic conditions, water levels, soil characteristics, and anticipated
scour.
7. What is scour?
a. The chemical hardening of concrete
b. The erosion of soil or sediment caused by flowing water
c. The expansion of reinforcing steel
d. The settlement of asphalt pavement
Answer: b. The erosion of soil or sediment caused by flowing water
Rationale: Scour can remove supporting material around bridge piers
and abutments. Evaluating scour is therefore a critical part of bridge
design, construction, and inspection.
8. What is the primary purpose of reinforcing steel in a reinforced-
concrete bridge component?
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a bridge foundation?
a. To improve roadway drainage
b. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads safely into
the ground
c. To reduce traffic noise
d. To provide a finished driving surface
Answer: b. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads
safely into the ground
Rationale: Bridge foundations transfer vertical, lateral, and
sometimes uplift forces from the superstructure and substructure into
competent soil or rock. Proper foundation design is essential for
stability and settlement control.
, 2. Which bridge component directly supports the deck and transfers
loads to the piers or abutments?
a. Expansion joint
b. Bearing
c. Superstructure framing system
d. Drainage inlet
Answer: c. Superstructure framing system
Rationale: The superstructure includes the deck, girders, beams,
trusses, or other structural elements that carry traffic loads and
transfer them to the supporting substructure.
3. What is the main function of an abutment?
a. To support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
b. To support only construction equipment
c. To provide electrical grounding
d. To replace expansion joints
Answer: a. To support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
Rationale: Abutments support the bridge at its ends and commonly
retain the soil forming the roadway approaches. They also resist earth
pressure and transmit structural loads to the foundation.
4. What is a pier used for in a multi-span bridge?
,a. To support intermediate portions of the superstructure
b. To seal concrete cracks
c. To control pavement markings
d. To replace the bridge deck
Answer: a. To support intermediate portions of the superstructure
Rationale: Piers are intermediate vertical or inclined supports located
between abutments. They carry loads from the superstructure and
transfer them to their foundations.
5. Why are bridge bearings installed between the superstructure
and substructure?
a. To increase concrete density
b. To allow controlled movement and transfer loads
c. To eliminate all bridge vibration
d. To prevent concrete curing
Answer: b. To allow controlled movement and transfer loads
Rationale: Bearings transfer forces while permitting movements
caused by temperature changes, shrinkage, creep, rotation, and other
structural effects.
6. Which condition is particularly important when constructing
bridge foundations in a river?
, a. Water depth and scour potential
b. Paint color
c. Lane-striping width
d. Guardrail reflectivity
Answer: a. Water depth and scour potential
Rationale: Flowing water can erode material around foundations, a
process known as scour. Foundation construction must account for
hydraulic conditions, water levels, soil characteristics, and anticipated
scour.
7. What is scour?
a. The chemical hardening of concrete
b. The erosion of soil or sediment caused by flowing water
c. The expansion of reinforcing steel
d. The settlement of asphalt pavement
Answer: b. The erosion of soil or sediment caused by flowing water
Rationale: Scour can remove supporting material around bridge piers
and abutments. Evaluating scour is therefore a critical part of bridge
design, construction, and inspection.
8. What is the primary purpose of reinforcing steel in a reinforced-
concrete bridge component?
