Louisiana Highway, Street & Bridge
Construction Practice Exam – 300 Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
(2025/2026 Edition)
Overview:
This comprehensive real exam is designed for engineers, contractors, inspectors, and students preparing
for certifications, examinations, or professional knowledge assessment in Louisiana highway, street, and
bridge construction.
Features:
300 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of highway, street, and bridge construction.
Verified correct answers presented in bold for easy reference.
Detailed rationales explaining why each answer is correct to enhance understanding.
Topics include:
o Subgrade, subbase, and base preparation
o Asphalt and concrete materials, mixing, and compaction
o Pavement distress identification and repair
o Bridge construction, including bearings, diaphragms, approach slabs, and wing walls
o Drainage systems, edge drains, and erosion control (silt fences, culverts)
o Quality control, testing, and inspection procedures
o Safety considerations and best practices in construction
Structured for practice and study to reinforce technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
1. When preparing a subgrade for a Louisiana roadway, the
target moisture content is normally based on:
A. Contractor preference
B. Weather conditions
C. Optimum moisture from Proctor testing
D. Regional climate
Rationale: Moisture must match lab-determined optimum moisture to ensure maximum
compaction.
,2. Geotextile is placed over soft Louisiana soils mainly to:
A. Drain rainwater
B. Separate the base from subgrade
C. Improve asphalt bonding
D. Prevent UV exposure
Rationale: Separation prevents the base aggregate from pumping into weak subgrade.
3. A common cause of edge cracking in flexible pavements is:
A. Over-compaction
B. Insufficient shoulder support
C. Too much asphalt binder
D. High ambient humidity
Rationale: Missing or weak shoulders allow pavement edges to deform and crack.
4. Standard compaction for embankment fill is:
A. 85%
B. 90%
C. 95%
D. 100%
Rationale: DOT specifications typically require 95% of maximum dry density for roadway
fill.
5. A string line during paving ensures:
A. Temperature consistency
B. Correct grade and alignment
C. Proper tack coat
D. Adequate cross-slope
Rationale: String lines control the horizontal and vertical alignment of paving operations.
,6. The primary function of lime treatment in Louisiana clay
soils is:
A. Increase permeability
B. Reduce plasticity and improve strength
C. Create capillary rise
D. Improve color uniformity
Rationale: Lime stabilizes high-plasticity clays common in Louisiana.
7. When compacting asphalt, the first roller to operate is
usually the:
A. Finish roller
B. Pneumatic roller
C. Breakdown roller
D. Vibratory steel roller
Rationale: The breakdown roller sets initial density while asphalt is hottest.
8. Bridge piles driven into Louisiana marshlands are
typically:
A. Unreinforced concrete
B. Steel H-piles or timber piles
C. Aluminum piles
D. PVC piles
Rationale: These piles perform well in soft organic soils.
9. The purpose of a tack coat is to:
A. Waterproof asphalt
B. Bond asphalt layers together
C. Prevent rutting
D. Reduce noise
Rationale: Tack coats ensure proper interlayer adhesion.
, 10. A slump test is used to assess:
A. Air content
B. Strength
C. Workability
D. Aggregate size
Rationale: Slump measures consistency and ease of placement of concrete.
11. Riprap placed along waterways in Louisiana serves to:
A. Reduce concrete strength
B. Prevent erosion and scour
C. Increase flow
D. Dry out soils
Rationale: Riprap stabilizes banks and abutments.
12. The acceptable temperature for asphalt compaction is
usually:
A. 75–100°F
B. 250–300°F
C. 350–400°F
D. Under 200°F
Rationale: Rolling must occur when asphalt is hot enough for density gain.
13. The most common cause of pavement rutting is:
A. Oil spills
B. Insufficient asphalt density
C. Improper striping
D. High wind speeds
Rationale: Under-compaction leads to deformation under traffic loads.
14. Expansion joints in bridges are used to:
Construction Practice Exam – 300 Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
(2025/2026 Edition)
Overview:
This comprehensive real exam is designed for engineers, contractors, inspectors, and students preparing
for certifications, examinations, or professional knowledge assessment in Louisiana highway, street, and
bridge construction.
Features:
300 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of highway, street, and bridge construction.
Verified correct answers presented in bold for easy reference.
Detailed rationales explaining why each answer is correct to enhance understanding.
Topics include:
o Subgrade, subbase, and base preparation
o Asphalt and concrete materials, mixing, and compaction
o Pavement distress identification and repair
o Bridge construction, including bearings, diaphragms, approach slabs, and wing walls
o Drainage systems, edge drains, and erosion control (silt fences, culverts)
o Quality control, testing, and inspection procedures
o Safety considerations and best practices in construction
Structured for practice and study to reinforce technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
1. When preparing a subgrade for a Louisiana roadway, the
target moisture content is normally based on:
A. Contractor preference
B. Weather conditions
C. Optimum moisture from Proctor testing
D. Regional climate
Rationale: Moisture must match lab-determined optimum moisture to ensure maximum
compaction.
,2. Geotextile is placed over soft Louisiana soils mainly to:
A. Drain rainwater
B. Separate the base from subgrade
C. Improve asphalt bonding
D. Prevent UV exposure
Rationale: Separation prevents the base aggregate from pumping into weak subgrade.
3. A common cause of edge cracking in flexible pavements is:
A. Over-compaction
B. Insufficient shoulder support
C. Too much asphalt binder
D. High ambient humidity
Rationale: Missing or weak shoulders allow pavement edges to deform and crack.
4. Standard compaction for embankment fill is:
A. 85%
B. 90%
C. 95%
D. 100%
Rationale: DOT specifications typically require 95% of maximum dry density for roadway
fill.
5. A string line during paving ensures:
A. Temperature consistency
B. Correct grade and alignment
C. Proper tack coat
D. Adequate cross-slope
Rationale: String lines control the horizontal and vertical alignment of paving operations.
,6. The primary function of lime treatment in Louisiana clay
soils is:
A. Increase permeability
B. Reduce plasticity and improve strength
C. Create capillary rise
D. Improve color uniformity
Rationale: Lime stabilizes high-plasticity clays common in Louisiana.
7. When compacting asphalt, the first roller to operate is
usually the:
A. Finish roller
B. Pneumatic roller
C. Breakdown roller
D. Vibratory steel roller
Rationale: The breakdown roller sets initial density while asphalt is hottest.
8. Bridge piles driven into Louisiana marshlands are
typically:
A. Unreinforced concrete
B. Steel H-piles or timber piles
C. Aluminum piles
D. PVC piles
Rationale: These piles perform well in soft organic soils.
9. The purpose of a tack coat is to:
A. Waterproof asphalt
B. Bond asphalt layers together
C. Prevent rutting
D. Reduce noise
Rationale: Tack coats ensure proper interlayer adhesion.
, 10. A slump test is used to assess:
A. Air content
B. Strength
C. Workability
D. Aggregate size
Rationale: Slump measures consistency and ease of placement of concrete.
11. Riprap placed along waterways in Louisiana serves to:
A. Reduce concrete strength
B. Prevent erosion and scour
C. Increase flow
D. Dry out soils
Rationale: Riprap stabilizes banks and abutments.
12. The acceptable temperature for asphalt compaction is
usually:
A. 75–100°F
B. 250–300°F
C. 350–400°F
D. Under 200°F
Rationale: Rolling must occur when asphalt is hot enough for density gain.
13. The most common cause of pavement rutting is:
A. Oil spills
B. Insufficient asphalt density
C. Improper striping
D. High wind speeds
Rationale: Under-compaction leads to deformation under traffic loads.
14. Expansion joints in bridges are used to:
