California Professional Engineer
Examination with Practice Questions And
Correct Answers
1. A reinforced concrete beam is subjected to a factored moment of 400 kip-ft. The
beam has a rectangular cross-section with b = 16 in, d = 24 in, and f'c = 4000 psi, fy =
60 ksi. Using the strength design method (ACI 318), what is the minimum required
area of tension reinforcement?
A. 2.85 in²
B. 3.20 in²
C. 3.60 in²
D. 4.10 in²
Answer: B. 3.20 in²
Rationale: The required steel area is calculated using the flexural design equation Mu =
As fy (d - a/2), where a = As fy / (0.85 f'c b). Solving iteratively yields As 3.20 in². Options
A, C, and D are incorrect because they either underestimate or overestimate the steel area
due to errors in the iterative process or incorrect use of the strength reduction factor.
2. A site in California is underlain by loose saturated sand with a groundwater table at
the surface. The design earthquake has a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.5g.
Which of the following methods is most appropriate for evaluating the liquefaction
potential?
A. Standard penetration test (SPT) with seed simplified procedure
B. Cone penetration test (CPT) with Robertson and Wride method
C. Shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements with Andrus and Stokoe method
D. All of the above are appropriate, but the CPT method is preferred for California
practice
Answer: D. All of the above are appropriate, but the CPT method is preferred for
California practice
Rationale: All three methods (SPT, CPT, Vs) are accepted for liquefaction evaluation, but
CPT is often preferred in California due to its continuous profiling and correlation with
cyclic resistance ratio. The other options are valid but not as comprehensive or preferred
in practice.
Page 1 of 85
,Page 2 of 85
,3. A simply supported steel beam spans 30 ft and carries a uniform dead load of 1.0
kip/ft (including self-weight) and a live load of 1.5 kip/ft. Using LRFD, what is the
required factored moment strength?
A. 253 kip-ft
B. 337 kip-ft
C. 421 kip-ft
D. 506 kip-ft
Answer: B. 337 kip-ft
Rationale: The factored load is 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2(1.0) + 1.6(1.5) = 3.6 kip/ft. The
maximum moment for a simply supported beam is wL²/8 = 3.6(30)²/8 = 405 kip-ft. Thus,
the required factored moment strength is 405 kip-ft, which corresponds to option C.
Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they result from errors in load combination or
arithmetic.
4. A water treatment plant uses conventional coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation,
and filtration. The raw water has a turbidity of 10 NTU and a pH of 6.5. Which
coagulant and dose adjustment is most appropriate to optimize treatment?
A. Alum at 20 mg/L with pH adjustment to 7.0
B. Ferric chloride at 15 mg/L with pH adjustment to 5.5
C. Cationic polymer at 5 mg/L without pH adjustment
D. Lime at 30 mg/L with pH adjustment to 8.0
Answer: A. Alum at 20 mg/L with pH adjustment to 7.0
Rationale: Alum is effective in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, and adjusting pH to 7.0 enhances
coagulation for turbidity removal. Ferric chloride is better at lower pH (4-6), but pH 5.5
may be too low and corrosive. Cationic polymer alone may not effectively remove turbidity
at 10 NTU. Lime is used for softening, not primarily as a coagulant.
Page 3 of 85
, 5. In California, a new highway alignment must cross a active fault. Which of the
following design measures is required by the California Building Code (CBC) and
Caltrans standards to mitigate fault rupture hazard?
A. Design the pavement to withstand 1 inch of fault offset
B. Avoid the fault by realigning the highway or using a structure that can accommodate
movement
C. Use flexible pavement with reinforced base course
D. Install early warning system and restrict traffic during earthquakes
Answer: B. Avoid the fault by realigning the highway or using a structure that can
accommodate movement
Rationale: California codes and Caltrans practice require avoidance of active fault rupture
zones or design of structures to accommodate fault movement, such as using bridges with
seismic isolation or realigning the route. Simply designing pavement for offset (A) is
insufficient, flexible pavement (C) does not address rupture, and warning systems (D) are
not a primary design measure.
6. A project owner requests a change order that would reduce the factor of safety on a
retaining wall from 1.5 to 1.3. As the engineer of record, what is the most appropriate
action under the professional ethics guidelines?
A. Approve the change if the owner accepts liability
B. Reject the change because it violates the minimum factor of safety required by code
C. Approve the change if the reduced factor of safety still meets code requirements
D. Delegate the decision to the contractor
Answer: C. Approve the change if the reduced factor of safety still meets code
requirements
Rationale: The engineer must ensure the design meets the minimum code requirements. If
the reduced factor of safety (1.3) still satisfies the applicable code (e.g., CBC or AASHTO),
it may be acceptable, but the engineer must verify. Option A is unethical because liability
cannot override safety. Option B is incorrect if 1.3 meets code. Option D is inappropriate
because the engineer is responsible for design decisions.
Page 4 of 85
Examination with Practice Questions And
Correct Answers
1. A reinforced concrete beam is subjected to a factored moment of 400 kip-ft. The
beam has a rectangular cross-section with b = 16 in, d = 24 in, and f'c = 4000 psi, fy =
60 ksi. Using the strength design method (ACI 318), what is the minimum required
area of tension reinforcement?
A. 2.85 in²
B. 3.20 in²
C. 3.60 in²
D. 4.10 in²
Answer: B. 3.20 in²
Rationale: The required steel area is calculated using the flexural design equation Mu =
As fy (d - a/2), where a = As fy / (0.85 f'c b). Solving iteratively yields As 3.20 in². Options
A, C, and D are incorrect because they either underestimate or overestimate the steel area
due to errors in the iterative process or incorrect use of the strength reduction factor.
2. A site in California is underlain by loose saturated sand with a groundwater table at
the surface. The design earthquake has a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.5g.
Which of the following methods is most appropriate for evaluating the liquefaction
potential?
A. Standard penetration test (SPT) with seed simplified procedure
B. Cone penetration test (CPT) with Robertson and Wride method
C. Shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements with Andrus and Stokoe method
D. All of the above are appropriate, but the CPT method is preferred for California
practice
Answer: D. All of the above are appropriate, but the CPT method is preferred for
California practice
Rationale: All three methods (SPT, CPT, Vs) are accepted for liquefaction evaluation, but
CPT is often preferred in California due to its continuous profiling and correlation with
cyclic resistance ratio. The other options are valid but not as comprehensive or preferred
in practice.
Page 1 of 85
,Page 2 of 85
,3. A simply supported steel beam spans 30 ft and carries a uniform dead load of 1.0
kip/ft (including self-weight) and a live load of 1.5 kip/ft. Using LRFD, what is the
required factored moment strength?
A. 253 kip-ft
B. 337 kip-ft
C. 421 kip-ft
D. 506 kip-ft
Answer: B. 337 kip-ft
Rationale: The factored load is 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2(1.0) + 1.6(1.5) = 3.6 kip/ft. The
maximum moment for a simply supported beam is wL²/8 = 3.6(30)²/8 = 405 kip-ft. Thus,
the required factored moment strength is 405 kip-ft, which corresponds to option C.
Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they result from errors in load combination or
arithmetic.
4. A water treatment plant uses conventional coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation,
and filtration. The raw water has a turbidity of 10 NTU and a pH of 6.5. Which
coagulant and dose adjustment is most appropriate to optimize treatment?
A. Alum at 20 mg/L with pH adjustment to 7.0
B. Ferric chloride at 15 mg/L with pH adjustment to 5.5
C. Cationic polymer at 5 mg/L without pH adjustment
D. Lime at 30 mg/L with pH adjustment to 8.0
Answer: A. Alum at 20 mg/L with pH adjustment to 7.0
Rationale: Alum is effective in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, and adjusting pH to 7.0 enhances
coagulation for turbidity removal. Ferric chloride is better at lower pH (4-6), but pH 5.5
may be too low and corrosive. Cationic polymer alone may not effectively remove turbidity
at 10 NTU. Lime is used for softening, not primarily as a coagulant.
Page 3 of 85
, 5. In California, a new highway alignment must cross a active fault. Which of the
following design measures is required by the California Building Code (CBC) and
Caltrans standards to mitigate fault rupture hazard?
A. Design the pavement to withstand 1 inch of fault offset
B. Avoid the fault by realigning the highway or using a structure that can accommodate
movement
C. Use flexible pavement with reinforced base course
D. Install early warning system and restrict traffic during earthquakes
Answer: B. Avoid the fault by realigning the highway or using a structure that can
accommodate movement
Rationale: California codes and Caltrans practice require avoidance of active fault rupture
zones or design of structures to accommodate fault movement, such as using bridges with
seismic isolation or realigning the route. Simply designing pavement for offset (A) is
insufficient, flexible pavement (C) does not address rupture, and warning systems (D) are
not a primary design measure.
6. A project owner requests a change order that would reduce the factor of safety on a
retaining wall from 1.5 to 1.3. As the engineer of record, what is the most appropriate
action under the professional ethics guidelines?
A. Approve the change if the owner accepts liability
B. Reject the change because it violates the minimum factor of safety required by code
C. Approve the change if the reduced factor of safety still meets code requirements
D. Delegate the decision to the contractor
Answer: C. Approve the change if the reduced factor of safety still meets code
requirements
Rationale: The engineer must ensure the design meets the minimum code requirements. If
the reduced factor of safety (1.3) still satisfies the applicable code (e.g., CBC or AASHTO),
it may be acceptable, but the engineer must verify. Option A is unethical because liability
cannot override safety. Option B is incorrect if 1.3 meets code. Option D is inappropriate
because the engineer is responsible for design decisions.
Page 4 of 85
