WASHINGTON PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF
ENGINEERING (PE) EXAMINATION CIVIL
ENGINEERING – STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This practice examination is designed for civil engineering candidates preparing for
the Washington State PE exam. It rigorously tests the breadth and depth of the
NCEES Civil PE specifications, including structural analysis, concrete and steel
design, geotechnical engineering, transportation, water resources, environmental
regulations, and construction management. Questions are pitched at the
advanced professional level, requiring application of ACI 318, AISC, ASCE 7,
AASHTO, MUTCD, and EPA standards, and integrate complex calculations with
engineering judgment. Detailed solutions follow each question to reinforce correct
methodologies and identify common pitfalls. Use this document to simulate the
exam experience, assess your technical knowledge, and fine-tune your
problem-solving speed for the 2026–2027 cycle.
Table of Contents
1. Structural Analysis and Mechanics
2. Concrete Design (ACI 318)
3. Steel Design (AISC)
4. Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
5. Transportation Engineering and Traffic Analysis
6. Water Resources and Hydraulics
7. Environmental Engineering and Regulations
8. Construction Engineering and Management
9. Engineering Economics and Professional Practice
10. Seismic and Wind Design (ASCE 7)
, 1. A simply supported W21×50 steel beam spans 35 ft and carries a uniform
dead load of 0.8 kip/ft (including self-weight) and a uniform live load of 1.5
kip/ft. Using AISC LRFD, the factored uniformly distributed load (kips per
foot) is:
A) 3.50
B) 3.36
C) 2.80
D) 3.98
Correct Answer: B
U = 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2(0.8) + 1.6(1.5) = 0.96 + 2.40 = 3.36 kip/ft. Other options result
from incorrect load factors or omitting self-weight.
2. A 20 in × 20 in reinforced concrete tied column with 10 #9 bars (Ast = 10.0
in²), f′c = 6,000 psi, fy = 60,000 psi. The maximum design axial load (kips)
per ACI 318, φ = 0.65, is most nearly:
A) 1,020
B) 1,150
C) 1,280
D) 1,350
Correct Answer: D
φPn,max = 0.65 × 0.80 [0.85 f′c (Ag – Ast) + fy Ast] = 0.52 [0.85×6×(400–10) +
60×10] = 0.52 × (0.85×6×390 + 600) = 0.52 × (1,989 + 600) = 1,346 kips. Rounding
to 1,350.
3. A square footing carries service loads of 200 kips dead and 150 kips live.
Allowable soil pressure = 5,000 psf. Minimum footing side dimension (ft)
ignoring self-weight is:
A) 8.0
B) 8.4
C) 9.0
D) 9.5
,Correct Answer: B
Total load = 350 kips. Area = 350,,000 = 70 ft². Side = √70 = 8.37 ft → use
8.4 ft.
4. A 30-in diameter RCP (n=0.013) flows full on a slope of 0.002. Discharge
(cfs) is most nearly:
A) 12
B) 18
C) 24
D) 30
Correct Answer: B
Diameter = 2.5 ft, A = 4.909 ft², R = 0.625 ft. V = (1.486/0.013) × (0.625)^(2/3) ×
√0.002 = 114.31 × 0.731 × 0.04472 = 3.74 ft/s. Q = A V = 4.909 × 3.74 = 18.4 cfs.
Use 18.
5. A horizontal curve with design speed 50 mph, e max = 6%, f max = 0.14.
Minimum radius (ft) is most nearly:
A) 850
B) 1,000
C) 1,150
D) 1,300
Correct Answer: A
R_min = V²/(15(e+f)) = 2,500/(15×(0.06+0.14)) = 2,500/3.0 = 833 ft. Round to 850.
6. An 18-ft-high cantilever wall retains sand with γ=125 pcf, φ=32°. Active
earth pressure resultant (k/ft) is:
A) 5.0
B) 6.2
C) 7.5
D) 8.8
Correct Answer: B
Ka = tan²(45°–16°) = 0.307. Pa = 0.5×0.125×18²×0.307 = 6.22 k/ft.
, 7. A rigid pavement slab 9 in thick (E=4×10⁶ psi, μ=0.15) on a subgrade with
k=100 pci. Radius of relative stiffness (in) is most nearly:
A) 30
B) 35
C) 40
D) 45
Correct Answer: C
D = 4e6 × 9³ / (12×(1–0.15²)) = 2.916e.73 = 2.486e8. l = (2.486e8 /
100)^(1/4) = 39.7 in. Round to 40.
8. A tank discharges through a 2-in orifice (Cd=0.60) under 12-ft head. Initial
flow rate (gpm) is most nearly:
A) 120
B) 160
C) 200
D) 240
Correct Answer: B
A = π(1/12)² = 0.02182 ft². Q_cfs = 0.60×0.02182×√(2×32.2×12) = 0.364 cfs. GPM =
0.364 × 448.8 = 163 gpm. Use 160.
9. A drilled shaft, diameter 4 ft, rock socket 6 ft, side-wall shear 15 ksf. Axial
capacity (kips) is:
A) 850
B) 1,130
C) 1,410
D) 1,700
Correct Answer: B
Perimeter = π×4 = 12.57 ft. Area = 12.57×6 = 75.4 ft². Capacity = 75.4×15 = 1,131
kips.
10.MSE wall strip reinforcement, vertical spacing 2.5 ft, horizontal 5 ft, lateral
pressure 3.0 ksf. Maximum strip tension (kips) is:
A) 25.0
ENGINEERING (PE) EXAMINATION CIVIL
ENGINEERING – STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This practice examination is designed for civil engineering candidates preparing for
the Washington State PE exam. It rigorously tests the breadth and depth of the
NCEES Civil PE specifications, including structural analysis, concrete and steel
design, geotechnical engineering, transportation, water resources, environmental
regulations, and construction management. Questions are pitched at the
advanced professional level, requiring application of ACI 318, AISC, ASCE 7,
AASHTO, MUTCD, and EPA standards, and integrate complex calculations with
engineering judgment. Detailed solutions follow each question to reinforce correct
methodologies and identify common pitfalls. Use this document to simulate the
exam experience, assess your technical knowledge, and fine-tune your
problem-solving speed for the 2026–2027 cycle.
Table of Contents
1. Structural Analysis and Mechanics
2. Concrete Design (ACI 318)
3. Steel Design (AISC)
4. Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
5. Transportation Engineering and Traffic Analysis
6. Water Resources and Hydraulics
7. Environmental Engineering and Regulations
8. Construction Engineering and Management
9. Engineering Economics and Professional Practice
10. Seismic and Wind Design (ASCE 7)
, 1. A simply supported W21×50 steel beam spans 35 ft and carries a uniform
dead load of 0.8 kip/ft (including self-weight) and a uniform live load of 1.5
kip/ft. Using AISC LRFD, the factored uniformly distributed load (kips per
foot) is:
A) 3.50
B) 3.36
C) 2.80
D) 3.98
Correct Answer: B
U = 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2(0.8) + 1.6(1.5) = 0.96 + 2.40 = 3.36 kip/ft. Other options result
from incorrect load factors or omitting self-weight.
2. A 20 in × 20 in reinforced concrete tied column with 10 #9 bars (Ast = 10.0
in²), f′c = 6,000 psi, fy = 60,000 psi. The maximum design axial load (kips)
per ACI 318, φ = 0.65, is most nearly:
A) 1,020
B) 1,150
C) 1,280
D) 1,350
Correct Answer: D
φPn,max = 0.65 × 0.80 [0.85 f′c (Ag – Ast) + fy Ast] = 0.52 [0.85×6×(400–10) +
60×10] = 0.52 × (0.85×6×390 + 600) = 0.52 × (1,989 + 600) = 1,346 kips. Rounding
to 1,350.
3. A square footing carries service loads of 200 kips dead and 150 kips live.
Allowable soil pressure = 5,000 psf. Minimum footing side dimension (ft)
ignoring self-weight is:
A) 8.0
B) 8.4
C) 9.0
D) 9.5
,Correct Answer: B
Total load = 350 kips. Area = 350,,000 = 70 ft². Side = √70 = 8.37 ft → use
8.4 ft.
4. A 30-in diameter RCP (n=0.013) flows full on a slope of 0.002. Discharge
(cfs) is most nearly:
A) 12
B) 18
C) 24
D) 30
Correct Answer: B
Diameter = 2.5 ft, A = 4.909 ft², R = 0.625 ft. V = (1.486/0.013) × (0.625)^(2/3) ×
√0.002 = 114.31 × 0.731 × 0.04472 = 3.74 ft/s. Q = A V = 4.909 × 3.74 = 18.4 cfs.
Use 18.
5. A horizontal curve with design speed 50 mph, e max = 6%, f max = 0.14.
Minimum radius (ft) is most nearly:
A) 850
B) 1,000
C) 1,150
D) 1,300
Correct Answer: A
R_min = V²/(15(e+f)) = 2,500/(15×(0.06+0.14)) = 2,500/3.0 = 833 ft. Round to 850.
6. An 18-ft-high cantilever wall retains sand with γ=125 pcf, φ=32°. Active
earth pressure resultant (k/ft) is:
A) 5.0
B) 6.2
C) 7.5
D) 8.8
Correct Answer: B
Ka = tan²(45°–16°) = 0.307. Pa = 0.5×0.125×18²×0.307 = 6.22 k/ft.
, 7. A rigid pavement slab 9 in thick (E=4×10⁶ psi, μ=0.15) on a subgrade with
k=100 pci. Radius of relative stiffness (in) is most nearly:
A) 30
B) 35
C) 40
D) 45
Correct Answer: C
D = 4e6 × 9³ / (12×(1–0.15²)) = 2.916e.73 = 2.486e8. l = (2.486e8 /
100)^(1/4) = 39.7 in. Round to 40.
8. A tank discharges through a 2-in orifice (Cd=0.60) under 12-ft head. Initial
flow rate (gpm) is most nearly:
A) 120
B) 160
C) 200
D) 240
Correct Answer: B
A = π(1/12)² = 0.02182 ft². Q_cfs = 0.60×0.02182×√(2×32.2×12) = 0.364 cfs. GPM =
0.364 × 448.8 = 163 gpm. Use 160.
9. A drilled shaft, diameter 4 ft, rock socket 6 ft, side-wall shear 15 ksf. Axial
capacity (kips) is:
A) 850
B) 1,130
C) 1,410
D) 1,700
Correct Answer: B
Perimeter = π×4 = 12.57 ft. Area = 12.57×6 = 75.4 ft². Capacity = 75.4×15 = 1,131
kips.
10.MSE wall strip reinforcement, vertical spacing 2.5 ft, horizontal 5 ft, lateral
pressure 3.0 ksf. Maximum strip tension (kips) is:
A) 25.0
