NEW MEXICO GS-24 STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Coverage Areas (Short Summary)
Steel erection safety requirements: OSHA Subpart R requirements, fall protection, controlled
decking zones, and site-specific safety planning.
Reading structural drawings: Interpreting erection plans, connection details, elevations,
sections, and member identification marks.
Bolted connections: Proper bolt types, installation methods, pretensioning, inspection, and slip-
critical requirements.
Welded connections: Welding symbols, procedures, qualifications, inspection, and common
field-welding defects.
Cranes and rigging: Load charts, signaling, rigging hardware, sling angles, and critical lift
planning.
Erection sequencing: Stability during construction, temporary bracing, plumbing, and alignment
procedures.
Anchor rods and base plates: Layout, leveling, grouting, tolerances, and corrective measures.
Inspection and quality control: Verifying member condition, connection integrity, bolt tension,
weld quality, and documentation.
Material handling and storage: Protecting steel members from damage, distortion, corrosion,
and improper stacking.
New Mexico licensing and code compliance: Following applicable building codes, project
specifications, and contractor responsibilities.
Question 1
,Before beginning structural steel erection on a multi-story commercial project,
which action is most important for maintaining worker safety and structural
stability?
A. Painting all steel members before unloading them from delivery trucks.
B. Reviewing the erection sequence, temporary bracing plan, and site-specific
safety procedures.
C. Installing roof decking before any columns are fully connected.
D. Allowing each ironworker to choose independent erection methods.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing the erection sequence, temporary bracing, and safety
procedures is essential because structural stability during construction depends
on planned sequencing and coordinated safety controls.
Question 2
When interpreting structural steel erection drawings, what is the primary purpose
of member identification marks shown on the plans?
A. They indicate the paint color required for each steel member.
B. They identify the exact piece that corresponds to fabrication and erection
documents.
C. They show the weight of concrete supported by each member.
D. They determine which welder must install the member.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Member marks connect the fabrication shop drawings, shipping pieces,
and erection plans so the correct member is installed in the correct location.
Question 3
,Which OSHA requirement generally applies when structural steel erectors are
exposed to falls at heights of 15 feet or more?
A. No fall protection is required during steel erection activities.
B. Fall protection must be provided unless a specific exception applies.
C. Only safety monitoring is required for all steel erection work.
D. Fall protection is required only after roof decking is completed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA steel erection standards generally require fall protection at 15
feet or more unless a specific permitted exception applies.
Question 4
What is the most significant hazard created by removing temporary bracing
before the structure has achieved sufficient stability?
A. Increased paint damage on erected members.
B. Reduced crane lifting capacity during the next lift.
C. Partial or complete structural collapse during construction.
D. Difficulty installing final architectural finishes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Temporary bracing maintains stability during erection; premature
removal can allow instability and lead to collapse.
Question 5
In a slip-critical bolted connection, why is proper bolt pretension especially
important?
A. It prevents the bolts from being painted during final coating.
, B. It creates clamping force that allows friction between connected surfaces to
transfer load.
C. It reduces the need for structural calculations by the engineer.
D. It allows undersized bolts to carry larger design loads.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Slip-critical connections rely on friction between faying surfaces, which
is produced by the required bolt pretension.
Question 6
Which tool is commonly used to verify the required tension in pretensioned high-
strength bolts using the turn-of-nut or calibrated wrench method?
A. Standard carpenter’s level.
B. Calibrated torque or tension verification equipment.
C. Tape measure only.
D. Welding continuity tester.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pretensioned bolts must be installed using approved methods and
verified with calibrated equipment or approved procedures.
Question 7
A field weld shows visible cracks after cooling. What should be done first?
A. Paint over the cracked area immediately.
B. Ignore the crack if the weld appears continuous.
C. Report the defect and have it evaluated according to the welding procedure
and inspection requirements.
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Coverage Areas (Short Summary)
Steel erection safety requirements: OSHA Subpart R requirements, fall protection, controlled
decking zones, and site-specific safety planning.
Reading structural drawings: Interpreting erection plans, connection details, elevations,
sections, and member identification marks.
Bolted connections: Proper bolt types, installation methods, pretensioning, inspection, and slip-
critical requirements.
Welded connections: Welding symbols, procedures, qualifications, inspection, and common
field-welding defects.
Cranes and rigging: Load charts, signaling, rigging hardware, sling angles, and critical lift
planning.
Erection sequencing: Stability during construction, temporary bracing, plumbing, and alignment
procedures.
Anchor rods and base plates: Layout, leveling, grouting, tolerances, and corrective measures.
Inspection and quality control: Verifying member condition, connection integrity, bolt tension,
weld quality, and documentation.
Material handling and storage: Protecting steel members from damage, distortion, corrosion,
and improper stacking.
New Mexico licensing and code compliance: Following applicable building codes, project
specifications, and contractor responsibilities.
Question 1
,Before beginning structural steel erection on a multi-story commercial project,
which action is most important for maintaining worker safety and structural
stability?
A. Painting all steel members before unloading them from delivery trucks.
B. Reviewing the erection sequence, temporary bracing plan, and site-specific
safety procedures.
C. Installing roof decking before any columns are fully connected.
D. Allowing each ironworker to choose independent erection methods.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing the erection sequence, temporary bracing, and safety
procedures is essential because structural stability during construction depends
on planned sequencing and coordinated safety controls.
Question 2
When interpreting structural steel erection drawings, what is the primary purpose
of member identification marks shown on the plans?
A. They indicate the paint color required for each steel member.
B. They identify the exact piece that corresponds to fabrication and erection
documents.
C. They show the weight of concrete supported by each member.
D. They determine which welder must install the member.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Member marks connect the fabrication shop drawings, shipping pieces,
and erection plans so the correct member is installed in the correct location.
Question 3
,Which OSHA requirement generally applies when structural steel erectors are
exposed to falls at heights of 15 feet or more?
A. No fall protection is required during steel erection activities.
B. Fall protection must be provided unless a specific exception applies.
C. Only safety monitoring is required for all steel erection work.
D. Fall protection is required only after roof decking is completed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA steel erection standards generally require fall protection at 15
feet or more unless a specific permitted exception applies.
Question 4
What is the most significant hazard created by removing temporary bracing
before the structure has achieved sufficient stability?
A. Increased paint damage on erected members.
B. Reduced crane lifting capacity during the next lift.
C. Partial or complete structural collapse during construction.
D. Difficulty installing final architectural finishes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Temporary bracing maintains stability during erection; premature
removal can allow instability and lead to collapse.
Question 5
In a slip-critical bolted connection, why is proper bolt pretension especially
important?
A. It prevents the bolts from being painted during final coating.
, B. It creates clamping force that allows friction between connected surfaces to
transfer load.
C. It reduces the need for structural calculations by the engineer.
D. It allows undersized bolts to carry larger design loads.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Slip-critical connections rely on friction between faying surfaces, which
is produced by the required bolt pretension.
Question 6
Which tool is commonly used to verify the required tension in pretensioned high-
strength bolts using the turn-of-nut or calibrated wrench method?
A. Standard carpenter’s level.
B. Calibrated torque or tension verification equipment.
C. Tape measure only.
D. Welding continuity tester.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pretensioned bolts must be installed using approved methods and
verified with calibrated equipment or approved procedures.
Question 7
A field weld shows visible cracks after cooling. What should be done first?
A. Paint over the cracked area immediately.
B. Ignore the crack if the weld appears continuous.
C. Report the defect and have it evaluated according to the welding procedure
and inspection requirements.
