California Structural Engineer
Examination with Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (V
1. A 12-story special moment frame building on a Site Class D profile has a
fundamental period T = 1.4 s and seismic base shear V = 2,400 kips. Using ASCE 7
equivalent lateral force provisions with updated period-based upper-bound limits,
which statement correctly describes the most defensible treatment of the computed
period relative to the code upper limit?
A. The computed period must always be used as-is for base shear computation,
regardless of the upper-bound limit.
B. The period used for base shear must not exceed the product of the coefficient for
upper limit on calculated period and the approximate period, and the smaller period
generally produces a larger base shear in the constant-velocity region.
C. The period upper limit only applies to structures with T > 2.0 s and is irrelevant here.
D. The period must be reduced to the approximate period whenever the computed period
exceeds it, and base shear then decreases.
Answer: B. The period used for base shear must not exceed the product of the
coefficient for upper limit on calculated period and the approximate period, and the
smaller period generally produces a larger base shear in the constant-velocity region.
Rationale: ASCE 7 limits the calculated period to Cu times the approximate period; using
the smaller (capped) period typically increases base shear in the constant-velocity region,
making it conservative. Option A ignores the cap, C misstates applicability, and D
incorrectly claims base shear decreases when period is reduced.
Page 1 of 92
,2. A reinforced concrete special structural wall in a high-seismic region is detailed
with boundary elements. Which condition most critically governs whether the
boundary element must be treated as a 'special boundary element' requiring
confinement per ACI 318?
A. The wall's total height exceeds 100 ft regardless of stress demand.
B. The maximum extreme fiber compressive stress from factored loads exceeds 0.2f'c, or
the computed maximum compressive strain demand exceeds the code strain threshold.
C. The wall contains any opening larger than 3 ft in width.
D. The wall thickness is less than 12 in.
Answer: B. The maximum extreme fiber compressive stress from factored loads
exceeds 0.2f'c, or the computed maximum compressive strain demand exceeds the
code strain threshold.
Rationale: ACI 318 requires special boundary element detailing when the extreme fiber
compressive stress exceeds 0.2f'c or when strain demand exceeds the specified threshold,
indicating inelastic compression demand. Height, openings, or thickness alone do not
trigger the special boundary element requirement.
Page 2 of 92
,3. A steel special concentrically braced frame uses brace members designed for the
expected yield strength. For the gusset plate connection design, which approach best
reflects current AISC 341 requirements for the brace-to-gusset interface?
A. Design the gusset plate for the brace's nominal tensile strength only.
B. Design the gusset plate and its connections for the expected tensile strength of the
brace (RyFyAg) and accommodate brace end rotation through a linear clearance or
equivalent detailing.
C. Design the gusset plate using the amplified seismic load but ignore brace rotation
demands.
D. Use the brace's design compressive strength as the sole basis for gusset plate design.
Answer: B. Design the gusset plate and its connections for the expected tensile strength
of the brace (RyFyAg) and accommodate brace end rotation through a linear
clearance or equivalent detailing.
Rationale: AISC 341 requires gusset plates and their connections to develop the expected
brace tensile strength RyFyAg and to permit brace end rotation (e.g., linear clearance) to
ensure ductile behavior. Nominal strength, ignoring rotation, or using only compressive
strength is noncompliant.
4. A cantilever retaining wall retains 12 ft of saturated granular backfill with a level
surcharge. If the groundwater table rises to mid-height of the wall, which change in
the design lateral pressure distribution most correctly reflects the effect on
overturning stability?
A. Total lateral pressure decreases because buoyancy reduces the soil's unit weight above
the water table.
B. The lateral pressure increases substantially due to added hydrostatic pressure,
reducing the factor of safety against overturning.
C. The lateral pressure is unchanged because water pressure acts only vertically on the
base.
D. The lateral pressure increases but overturning stability improves because the resultant
acts lower on the stem.
Answer: B. The lateral pressure increases substantially due to added hydrostatic
pressure, reducing the factor of safety against overturning.
Rationale: Rising groundwater adds full hydrostatic lateral pressure (and reduces effective
soil stress), increasing total lateral thrust and its overturning moment, thereby lowering the
Page 3 of 92
, overturning factor of safety. Options A, C, and D mischaracterize how water pressure acts
on the wall.
Page 4 of 92
Examination with Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (V
1. A 12-story special moment frame building on a Site Class D profile has a
fundamental period T = 1.4 s and seismic base shear V = 2,400 kips. Using ASCE 7
equivalent lateral force provisions with updated period-based upper-bound limits,
which statement correctly describes the most defensible treatment of the computed
period relative to the code upper limit?
A. The computed period must always be used as-is for base shear computation,
regardless of the upper-bound limit.
B. The period used for base shear must not exceed the product of the coefficient for
upper limit on calculated period and the approximate period, and the smaller period
generally produces a larger base shear in the constant-velocity region.
C. The period upper limit only applies to structures with T > 2.0 s and is irrelevant here.
D. The period must be reduced to the approximate period whenever the computed period
exceeds it, and base shear then decreases.
Answer: B. The period used for base shear must not exceed the product of the
coefficient for upper limit on calculated period and the approximate period, and the
smaller period generally produces a larger base shear in the constant-velocity region.
Rationale: ASCE 7 limits the calculated period to Cu times the approximate period; using
the smaller (capped) period typically increases base shear in the constant-velocity region,
making it conservative. Option A ignores the cap, C misstates applicability, and D
incorrectly claims base shear decreases when period is reduced.
Page 1 of 92
,2. A reinforced concrete special structural wall in a high-seismic region is detailed
with boundary elements. Which condition most critically governs whether the
boundary element must be treated as a 'special boundary element' requiring
confinement per ACI 318?
A. The wall's total height exceeds 100 ft regardless of stress demand.
B. The maximum extreme fiber compressive stress from factored loads exceeds 0.2f'c, or
the computed maximum compressive strain demand exceeds the code strain threshold.
C. The wall contains any opening larger than 3 ft in width.
D. The wall thickness is less than 12 in.
Answer: B. The maximum extreme fiber compressive stress from factored loads
exceeds 0.2f'c, or the computed maximum compressive strain demand exceeds the
code strain threshold.
Rationale: ACI 318 requires special boundary element detailing when the extreme fiber
compressive stress exceeds 0.2f'c or when strain demand exceeds the specified threshold,
indicating inelastic compression demand. Height, openings, or thickness alone do not
trigger the special boundary element requirement.
Page 2 of 92
,3. A steel special concentrically braced frame uses brace members designed for the
expected yield strength. For the gusset plate connection design, which approach best
reflects current AISC 341 requirements for the brace-to-gusset interface?
A. Design the gusset plate for the brace's nominal tensile strength only.
B. Design the gusset plate and its connections for the expected tensile strength of the
brace (RyFyAg) and accommodate brace end rotation through a linear clearance or
equivalent detailing.
C. Design the gusset plate using the amplified seismic load but ignore brace rotation
demands.
D. Use the brace's design compressive strength as the sole basis for gusset plate design.
Answer: B. Design the gusset plate and its connections for the expected tensile strength
of the brace (RyFyAg) and accommodate brace end rotation through a linear
clearance or equivalent detailing.
Rationale: AISC 341 requires gusset plates and their connections to develop the expected
brace tensile strength RyFyAg and to permit brace end rotation (e.g., linear clearance) to
ensure ductile behavior. Nominal strength, ignoring rotation, or using only compressive
strength is noncompliant.
4. A cantilever retaining wall retains 12 ft of saturated granular backfill with a level
surcharge. If the groundwater table rises to mid-height of the wall, which change in
the design lateral pressure distribution most correctly reflects the effect on
overturning stability?
A. Total lateral pressure decreases because buoyancy reduces the soil's unit weight above
the water table.
B. The lateral pressure increases substantially due to added hydrostatic pressure,
reducing the factor of safety against overturning.
C. The lateral pressure is unchanged because water pressure acts only vertically on the
base.
D. The lateral pressure increases but overturning stability improves because the resultant
acts lower on the stem.
Answer: B. The lateral pressure increases substantially due to added hydrostatic
pressure, reducing the factor of safety against overturning.
Rationale: Rising groundwater adds full hydrostatic lateral pressure (and reduces effective
soil stress), increasing total lateral thrust and its overturning moment, thereby lowering the
Page 3 of 92
, overturning factor of safety. Options A, C, and D mischaracterize how water pressure acts
on the wall.
Page 4 of 92
