PCI LEVEL I & II CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP: 200 COMPREHENSIVE
FLASHCARD QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES COVERING PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSIONING,
WELDING SYMBOLS & PROCEDURES, STRAND ELONGATION
CALCULATIONS, MATERIAL STANDARDS (ASTM C33, C150, A416,
A706), SHOP DRAWINGS (ASSEMBLY, PRODUCTION, ERECTION), AND
QUALITY CONTROL PRACTICES
1. A beam which is prestressed at the lower portion experiences what
internal forces at the top and bottom?
Correct Answer: Tension and Compression
Rationale: Prestressing the lower portion of a beam induces tension at
the top and compression at the bottom, counteracting tensile stresses
from loading.
2. A loaded beam experiences what internal forces at the top and at
the bottom?
Correct Answer: Compression and Tension
Rationale: Under load, the top of a beam is in compression and the
bottom is in tension, which is why prestressing is applied to the tension
zone.
,3. A circle at a joint in a welding symbol indicates what?
Correct Answer: A continuous weld all around the indicated point
Rationale: The circle symbol specifies that the weld is to be applied
continuously around the entire joint.
4. A flag included in a welding symbol stands for what?
Correct Answer: A field weld
Rationale: The flag symbol indicates that the welding is to be
performed in the field rather than in the shop.
5. A tail in a welding symbol indicates what?
Correct Answer: Special note(s)
Rationale: The tail is used to reference additional information such as
specifications or procedures.
6. Basic elongation considers only which factors?
Correct Answer: Tensioning force; Strand length; Strand cross-sectional
area; Strand modulus of elasticity
Rationale: The basic elongation formula e = (PL)/(AE) uses only these
four parameters.
7. Chucks should be released using release tools; if released by
striking, materials used in striking must be less dense than what?
Correct Answer: Steel
,Rationale: Using materials less dense than steel prevents damage to the
chucks and strands.
8. For thermal adjustments, increase the jacking force by what
amount for every what temperature rise?
Correct Answer: 1%; 10 degrees
Rationale: Temperature changes affect strand length; a 1% force
increase compensates for each 10-degree rise.
9. Given: 3/8" diameter strand, 270ksi low-relaxation strand, A=0.085
sq in, Initial Force=2000 lb, Final force=16000 lb, and chuck-to-chuck
strand length of (1'-3" + 222'-6" + 1'-3"), what is the basic elongation
using e = (PL)/(AE)?
Correct Answer: 15.88"
Rationale: Calculate total length (225 ft = 2700 in), net force (P = 16000
- 2000 = 14000 lb), then e = (14000 × 2700) / (0.085 × 27000000) =
15.88".
10. How many strand splices are permitted per strand?
Correct Answer: One (Single strand tensioning is exempt)
Rationale: Only one splice is allowed per strand to maintain structural
integrity; single strand tensioning is exempt from this rule.
11. In multiple strand tensioning, strand splices must be used for what
condition because it is not possible to compensate differential
, elongation?
Correct Answer: All or None
Rationale: In multiple strand tensioning, either all strands are spliced or
none are, to avoid differential elongation issues.
12. Inaccurate tensioning can result in what two consequences?
Correct Answer: Differential camber; Inadequate product strength
Rationale: Improper tensioning leads to uneven camber and insufficient
strength in the final product.
13. Strand tensioned during a hot afternoon will have what effect
when lower temperature concrete is poured on it?
Correct Answer: Will gain strength
Rationale: The strand cools and contracts, increasing tension and thus
strength in the concrete.
14. Strand tensioned during cool morning temperatures will have
what effect when higher temperature concrete is poured on it?
Correct Answer: Will lose strength
Rationale: The strand heats up and elongates, reducing tension and
thus strength.
15. Strands with which surface condition must be discarded?
Correct Answer: Pitting at the surface
FLASHCARD QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES COVERING PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TENSIONING,
WELDING SYMBOLS & PROCEDURES, STRAND ELONGATION
CALCULATIONS, MATERIAL STANDARDS (ASTM C33, C150, A416,
A706), SHOP DRAWINGS (ASSEMBLY, PRODUCTION, ERECTION), AND
QUALITY CONTROL PRACTICES
1. A beam which is prestressed at the lower portion experiences what
internal forces at the top and bottom?
Correct Answer: Tension and Compression
Rationale: Prestressing the lower portion of a beam induces tension at
the top and compression at the bottom, counteracting tensile stresses
from loading.
2. A loaded beam experiences what internal forces at the top and at
the bottom?
Correct Answer: Compression and Tension
Rationale: Under load, the top of a beam is in compression and the
bottom is in tension, which is why prestressing is applied to the tension
zone.
,3. A circle at a joint in a welding symbol indicates what?
Correct Answer: A continuous weld all around the indicated point
Rationale: The circle symbol specifies that the weld is to be applied
continuously around the entire joint.
4. A flag included in a welding symbol stands for what?
Correct Answer: A field weld
Rationale: The flag symbol indicates that the welding is to be
performed in the field rather than in the shop.
5. A tail in a welding symbol indicates what?
Correct Answer: Special note(s)
Rationale: The tail is used to reference additional information such as
specifications or procedures.
6. Basic elongation considers only which factors?
Correct Answer: Tensioning force; Strand length; Strand cross-sectional
area; Strand modulus of elasticity
Rationale: The basic elongation formula e = (PL)/(AE) uses only these
four parameters.
7. Chucks should be released using release tools; if released by
striking, materials used in striking must be less dense than what?
Correct Answer: Steel
,Rationale: Using materials less dense than steel prevents damage to the
chucks and strands.
8. For thermal adjustments, increase the jacking force by what
amount for every what temperature rise?
Correct Answer: 1%; 10 degrees
Rationale: Temperature changes affect strand length; a 1% force
increase compensates for each 10-degree rise.
9. Given: 3/8" diameter strand, 270ksi low-relaxation strand, A=0.085
sq in, Initial Force=2000 lb, Final force=16000 lb, and chuck-to-chuck
strand length of (1'-3" + 222'-6" + 1'-3"), what is the basic elongation
using e = (PL)/(AE)?
Correct Answer: 15.88"
Rationale: Calculate total length (225 ft = 2700 in), net force (P = 16000
- 2000 = 14000 lb), then e = (14000 × 2700) / (0.085 × 27000000) =
15.88".
10. How many strand splices are permitted per strand?
Correct Answer: One (Single strand tensioning is exempt)
Rationale: Only one splice is allowed per strand to maintain structural
integrity; single strand tensioning is exempt from this rule.
11. In multiple strand tensioning, strand splices must be used for what
condition because it is not possible to compensate differential
, elongation?
Correct Answer: All or None
Rationale: In multiple strand tensioning, either all strands are spliced or
none are, to avoid differential elongation issues.
12. Inaccurate tensioning can result in what two consequences?
Correct Answer: Differential camber; Inadequate product strength
Rationale: Improper tensioning leads to uneven camber and insufficient
strength in the final product.
13. Strand tensioned during a hot afternoon will have what effect
when lower temperature concrete is poured on it?
Correct Answer: Will gain strength
Rationale: The strand cools and contracts, increasing tension and thus
strength in the concrete.
14. Strand tensioned during cool morning temperatures will have
what effect when higher temperature concrete is poured on it?
Correct Answer: Will lose strength
Rationale: The strand heats up and elongates, reducing tension and
thus strength.
15. Strands with which surface condition must be discarded?
Correct Answer: Pitting at the surface
