PE Structural Seismic Engineering Practice Exam Questions,
Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which seismic design parameter represents the building’s response to
ground acceleration?
A) Response modification factor
B) Design spectral acceleration
C) Importance factor
D) Seismic weight
The design spectral acceleration quantifies the building’s expected lateral
response to earthquake ground motions.
2. What does the response modification factor (R) account for?
A) Soil amplification effects
B) Inelastic behavior of the structure
C) Building importance factor
D) Damping ratio
R reduces elastic forces to design forces by recognizing the capacity of the
structure to undergo inelastic deformation.
3. In seismic design, the importance factor (I) is used to:
A) Adjust structural damping
B) Modify design forces for criticality of occupancy
C) Scale the response spectrum
D) Determine soil amplification
Structures like hospitals or emergency centers must have higher design forces
due to their critical function.
4. Which seismic force-resisting system primarily resists lateral loads by
bending of vertical elements?
A) Braced frames
B) Shear walls
,C) Moment-resisting frames
D) Diaphragms
Moment-resisting frames resist lateral loads through the flexural action of
beams and columns.
5. The fundamental period of a building is most influenced by:
A) Roof height only
B) Height and stiffness of the lateral system
C) Material density only
D) Foundation type
The natural period increases with building height and decreases with lateral
stiffness.
6. For a building designed using IBC/ASCE 7, the design base shear is
proportional to:
A) Square of the building height
B) Seismic weight of the structure
C) Material yield strength
D) Roof slope
Base shear V = Cs × W, where W is the seismic weight.
7. Which damping ratio is typically assumed for reinforced concrete
structures in seismic design?
A) 1%
B) 2%
C) 5%
D) 10%
Typical structural damping for concrete frames is 5% of critical damping.
8. What is the primary purpose of a seismic gap between adjacent buildings?
A) Architectural aesthetics
B) Allow foundation settlement
, C) Prevent pounding during earthquake motion
D) Improve ventilation
Gaps prevent buildings from colliding and causing damage during seismic
events.
9. The spectral response acceleration decreases as the natural period of the
building:
A) Increases
B) Increases beyond the short-period range
C) Decreases
D) Remains constant
Longer-period buildings experience lower spectral acceleration in the design
spectrum after the peak.
10. For a site classified as soil type D in ASCE 7, the seismic design response
is:
A) Lower than rock
B) Same as rock
C) Amplified compared to rock
D) Independent of soil type
Soft soils amplify ground motion, increasing design spectral accelerations.
11. What is the primary function of a shear wall in a building?
A) Support gravity loads
B) Resist wind loads only
C) Resist lateral seismic loads
D) Reduce building weight
Shear walls provide lateral stiffness and strength to resist earthquake forces.
12. A building designed using base isolation will primarily:
A) Increase lateral stiffness
B) Reduce seismic forces transmitted to the structure
Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which seismic design parameter represents the building’s response to
ground acceleration?
A) Response modification factor
B) Design spectral acceleration
C) Importance factor
D) Seismic weight
The design spectral acceleration quantifies the building’s expected lateral
response to earthquake ground motions.
2. What does the response modification factor (R) account for?
A) Soil amplification effects
B) Inelastic behavior of the structure
C) Building importance factor
D) Damping ratio
R reduces elastic forces to design forces by recognizing the capacity of the
structure to undergo inelastic deformation.
3. In seismic design, the importance factor (I) is used to:
A) Adjust structural damping
B) Modify design forces for criticality of occupancy
C) Scale the response spectrum
D) Determine soil amplification
Structures like hospitals or emergency centers must have higher design forces
due to their critical function.
4. Which seismic force-resisting system primarily resists lateral loads by
bending of vertical elements?
A) Braced frames
B) Shear walls
,C) Moment-resisting frames
D) Diaphragms
Moment-resisting frames resist lateral loads through the flexural action of
beams and columns.
5. The fundamental period of a building is most influenced by:
A) Roof height only
B) Height and stiffness of the lateral system
C) Material density only
D) Foundation type
The natural period increases with building height and decreases with lateral
stiffness.
6. For a building designed using IBC/ASCE 7, the design base shear is
proportional to:
A) Square of the building height
B) Seismic weight of the structure
C) Material yield strength
D) Roof slope
Base shear V = Cs × W, where W is the seismic weight.
7. Which damping ratio is typically assumed for reinforced concrete
structures in seismic design?
A) 1%
B) 2%
C) 5%
D) 10%
Typical structural damping for concrete frames is 5% of critical damping.
8. What is the primary purpose of a seismic gap between adjacent buildings?
A) Architectural aesthetics
B) Allow foundation settlement
, C) Prevent pounding during earthquake motion
D) Improve ventilation
Gaps prevent buildings from colliding and causing damage during seismic
events.
9. The spectral response acceleration decreases as the natural period of the
building:
A) Increases
B) Increases beyond the short-period range
C) Decreases
D) Remains constant
Longer-period buildings experience lower spectral acceleration in the design
spectrum after the peak.
10. For a site classified as soil type D in ASCE 7, the seismic design response
is:
A) Lower than rock
B) Same as rock
C) Amplified compared to rock
D) Independent of soil type
Soft soils amplify ground motion, increasing design spectral accelerations.
11. What is the primary function of a shear wall in a building?
A) Support gravity loads
B) Resist wind loads only
C) Resist lateral seismic loads
D) Reduce building weight
Shear walls provide lateral stiffness and strength to resist earthquake forces.
12. A building designed using base isolation will primarily:
A) Increase lateral stiffness
B) Reduce seismic forces transmitted to the structure
