Missouri Professional Engineer PE Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A simply supported beam carries a uniform distributed load. Where is
the maximum bending moment located?
A. At the supports
B. At midspan
C. At the quarter span
D. At the free end
B. At midspan
The maximum bending moment for a simply supported beam under a
uniform load occurs at the center because shear force changes sign
there, creating peak internal moment.
2. What is the primary purpose of a factor of safety in structural design?
A. Increase material cost
B. Account for uncertainties in loads and material properties
C. Reduce beam deflection only
, D. Eliminate all failure risks
B. Account for uncertainties in loads and material properties
The factor of safety compensates for unknowns such as material
variability, load estimation errors, and construction imperfections.
3. Which soil type generally has the highest permeability?
A. Clay
B. Silt
C. Sand
D. Peat
C. Sand
Sand has larger particle sizes and void spaces, allowing water to flow
through more easily than finer soils.
4. The SI unit of force is:
A. Joule
B. Newton
C. Pascal
D. Watt
B. Newton
A Newton is the SI unit of force defined as the force required to
accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s².
5. What does Bernoulli’s equation primarily express?
A. Conservation of mass
B. Conservation of energy in fluid flow
, C. Conservation of momentum only
D. Heat transfer in fluids
B. Conservation of energy in fluid flow
Bernoulli’s equation relates pressure, velocity, and elevation energy
in steady incompressible flow.
6. Which is the main cause of corrosion in steel reinforcement?
A. High concrete density
B. Carbonation and chloride intrusion
C. Excess cement
D. Low humidity
B. Carbonation and chloride intrusion
Carbon dioxide and chlorides break down the passive layer on steel,
leading to corrosion.
7. What is the slope of a line passing through (2,3) and (6,11)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
B. 2
Slope = (11−3)/(6−2) = 8/4 = 2.
8. In surveying, what instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal
angles?
A. Level
, B. Theodolite
C. Barometer
D. Planimeter
B. Theodolite
A theodolite is designed for precise measurement of horizontal and
vertical angles.
9. What is the main function of a retaining wall?
A. Increase drainage
B. Resist lateral earth pressure
C. Reduce vertical load
D. Improve soil fertility
B. Resist lateral earth pressure
Retaining walls hold back soil and prevent slope failure or erosion.
10. Which process removes suspended solids from wastewater
using gravity?
A. Filtration
B. Sedimentation
C. Chlorination
D. Aeration
B. Sedimentation
Sedimentation allows particles to settle due to gravity in clarifiers.
11. Hooke’s Law states that stress is proportional to:
A. Strain
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A simply supported beam carries a uniform distributed load. Where is
the maximum bending moment located?
A. At the supports
B. At midspan
C. At the quarter span
D. At the free end
B. At midspan
The maximum bending moment for a simply supported beam under a
uniform load occurs at the center because shear force changes sign
there, creating peak internal moment.
2. What is the primary purpose of a factor of safety in structural design?
A. Increase material cost
B. Account for uncertainties in loads and material properties
C. Reduce beam deflection only
, D. Eliminate all failure risks
B. Account for uncertainties in loads and material properties
The factor of safety compensates for unknowns such as material
variability, load estimation errors, and construction imperfections.
3. Which soil type generally has the highest permeability?
A. Clay
B. Silt
C. Sand
D. Peat
C. Sand
Sand has larger particle sizes and void spaces, allowing water to flow
through more easily than finer soils.
4. The SI unit of force is:
A. Joule
B. Newton
C. Pascal
D. Watt
B. Newton
A Newton is the SI unit of force defined as the force required to
accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s².
5. What does Bernoulli’s equation primarily express?
A. Conservation of mass
B. Conservation of energy in fluid flow
, C. Conservation of momentum only
D. Heat transfer in fluids
B. Conservation of energy in fluid flow
Bernoulli’s equation relates pressure, velocity, and elevation energy
in steady incompressible flow.
6. Which is the main cause of corrosion in steel reinforcement?
A. High concrete density
B. Carbonation and chloride intrusion
C. Excess cement
D. Low humidity
B. Carbonation and chloride intrusion
Carbon dioxide and chlorides break down the passive layer on steel,
leading to corrosion.
7. What is the slope of a line passing through (2,3) and (6,11)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
B. 2
Slope = (11−3)/(6−2) = 8/4 = 2.
8. In surveying, what instrument is primarily used to measure horizontal
angles?
A. Level
, B. Theodolite
C. Barometer
D. Planimeter
B. Theodolite
A theodolite is designed for precise measurement of horizontal and
vertical angles.
9. What is the main function of a retaining wall?
A. Increase drainage
B. Resist lateral earth pressure
C. Reduce vertical load
D. Improve soil fertility
B. Resist lateral earth pressure
Retaining walls hold back soil and prevent slope failure or erosion.
10. Which process removes suspended solids from wastewater
using gravity?
A. Filtration
B. Sedimentation
C. Chlorination
D. Aeration
B. Sedimentation
Sedimentation allows particles to settle due to gravity in clarifiers.
11. Hooke’s Law states that stress is proportional to:
A. Strain
