Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following is the primary purpose of a project
charter in the project scoping process?
A) To define detailed design specifications
B) To authorize the project and outline high‑level objectives
C) To develop a full schedule with activity durations
D) To perform a detailed cost estimate
Answer: B
Explanation: A project charter formally authorizes the project, identifies the
sponsor, and states high‑level goals, scope, and constraints, providing the
foundation for further planning.
**Question 2.** In CPM scheduling, which activity determines the project's
earliest possible completion date?
A) Critical path activity
B) Non‑critical activity with float
C) Activity with the longest duration only
D) Activity with the highest cost
Answer: A
Explanation: The critical path consists of activities with zero total float; its length
determines the minimum project duration.
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 3.** Which of the following cost estimating methods is most
appropriate for a detailed design phase of a commercial building?
A) Square‑foot method
B) Parametric estimating using historical unit costs
C) Analogous estimating based on similar past projects
D) Bottom‑up estimating of individual quantities
Answer: D
Explanation: Bottom‑up estimating uses detailed quantity take‑offs and unit costs,
providing the accuracy needed during detailed design.
**Question 4.** Which document is essential for demonstrating compliance with
OSHA construction safety standards on a job site?
A) Project schedule
B) Safety and health plan (Site‑specific safety plan)
C) Environmental impact statement
D) Quality assurance manual
Answer: B
Explanation: A site‑specific safety plan outlines hazard controls, training, and
procedures required to meet OSHA regulations.
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 5.** According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil
classified as “CL” is:
A) Silty sand with low plasticity
B) Clay with low to medium plasticity
C) Gravel with high plasticity
D) Organic silt
Answer: B
Explanation: “C” denotes clay, “L” denotes low to medium plasticity in the USCS.
**Question 6.** In the Rankine theory of lateral earth pressure, the active earth
pressure coefficient (Kₐ) for a cohesionless soil with φ = 30° is closest to:
A) 0.33
B) 0.40
C) 0.50
D) 0.58
Answer: B
Explanation: Kₐ = tan²(45° − φ/2) = tan²(45° − 15°) = tan²30° ≈ 0.33. (Correction:
0.33 is correct; the closest answer is A.)
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 7.** The factor of safety against bearing capacity failure for a shallow
footing is calculated as the ratio of:
A) Allowable bearing pressure to ultimate bearing pressure
B) Ultimate bearing pressure to allowable bearing pressure
C) Ultimate bearing pressure to applied soil pressure
D) Applied soil pressure to allowable bearing pressure
Answer: A
Explanation: Safety factor = allowable bearing capacity / ultimate bearing capacity.
**Question 8.** Which method is most appropriate for estimating the settlement
of a shallow foundation on a normally consolidated clay layer?
A) Elastic theory using modulus of subgrade reaction
B) Terzaghi’s one‑dimensional consolidation theory
C) Empirical method based on bearing capacity
D) SPT‑based correlation
Answer: B
Explanation: Consolidation settlement in normally consolidated clays is best
predicted using Terzaghi’s 1‑D consolidation theory, which accounts for
time‑dependent drainage.
**Question 1.** Which of the following is the primary purpose of a project
charter in the project scoping process?
A) To define detailed design specifications
B) To authorize the project and outline high‑level objectives
C) To develop a full schedule with activity durations
D) To perform a detailed cost estimate
Answer: B
Explanation: A project charter formally authorizes the project, identifies the
sponsor, and states high‑level goals, scope, and constraints, providing the
foundation for further planning.
**Question 2.** In CPM scheduling, which activity determines the project's
earliest possible completion date?
A) Critical path activity
B) Non‑critical activity with float
C) Activity with the longest duration only
D) Activity with the highest cost
Answer: A
Explanation: The critical path consists of activities with zero total float; its length
determines the minimum project duration.
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 3.** Which of the following cost estimating methods is most
appropriate for a detailed design phase of a commercial building?
A) Square‑foot method
B) Parametric estimating using historical unit costs
C) Analogous estimating based on similar past projects
D) Bottom‑up estimating of individual quantities
Answer: D
Explanation: Bottom‑up estimating uses detailed quantity take‑offs and unit costs,
providing the accuracy needed during detailed design.
**Question 4.** Which document is essential for demonstrating compliance with
OSHA construction safety standards on a job site?
A) Project schedule
B) Safety and health plan (Site‑specific safety plan)
C) Environmental impact statement
D) Quality assurance manual
Answer: B
Explanation: A site‑specific safety plan outlines hazard controls, training, and
procedures required to meet OSHA regulations.
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 5.** According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil
classified as “CL” is:
A) Silty sand with low plasticity
B) Clay with low to medium plasticity
C) Gravel with high plasticity
D) Organic silt
Answer: B
Explanation: “C” denotes clay, “L” denotes low to medium plasticity in the USCS.
**Question 6.** In the Rankine theory of lateral earth pressure, the active earth
pressure coefficient (Kₐ) for a cohesionless soil with φ = 30° is closest to:
A) 0.33
B) 0.40
C) 0.50
D) 0.58
Answer: B
Explanation: Kₐ = tan²(45° − φ/2) = tan²(45° − 15°) = tan²30° ≈ 0.33. (Correction:
0.33 is correct; the closest answer is A.)
, Missouri MO Engineering Exam
**Question 7.** The factor of safety against bearing capacity failure for a shallow
footing is calculated as the ratio of:
A) Allowable bearing pressure to ultimate bearing pressure
B) Ultimate bearing pressure to allowable bearing pressure
C) Ultimate bearing pressure to applied soil pressure
D) Applied soil pressure to allowable bearing pressure
Answer: A
Explanation: Safety factor = allowable bearing capacity / ultimate bearing capacity.
**Question 8.** Which method is most appropriate for estimating the settlement
of a shallow foundation on a normally consolidated clay layer?
A) Elastic theory using modulus of subgrade reaction
B) Terzaghi’s one‑dimensional consolidation theory
C) Empirical method based on bearing capacity
D) SPT‑based correlation
Answer: B
Explanation: Consolidation settlement in normally consolidated clays is best
predicted using Terzaghi’s 1‑D consolidation theory, which accounts for
time‑dependent drainage.
