PE Structural Engineering Examination –
Vertical Forces Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
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1. In structural engineering, a dead load is best defined as:
A. A temporary load caused by occupancy
B. A load resulting from wind pressure
C. A permanent load that remains relatively constant throughout the life of
the structure
D. A seismic-induced load
C. A permanent load that remains relatively constant throughout the life of
the structure
Dead loads include the self-weight of structural components and
permanently attached materials. These loads are considered constant and
are a primary component of gravity load design.
2. Which of the following is classified as a live load?
A. Weight of concrete slab
B. Weight of roofing membrane
,C. Occupant load in an office building
D. Weight of steel beams
C. Occupant load in an office building
Live loads vary with occupancy and use. People, movable furniture, and
stored materials are common examples of live loads.
3. The primary direction of a vertical force acting on a building due to
gravity is:
A. Horizontal
B. Upward
C. Downward
D. Tangential
C. Downward
Gravity acts toward the center of the Earth, producing downward forces
that structural systems must safely resist and transfer to the foundation.
4. A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load of 4
kips/ft over a span of 20 ft. What is the total applied load?
A. 40 kips
B. 60 kips
C. 80 kips
D. 100 kips
C. 80 kips
The total load equals the load intensity multiplied by the span length: 4 ×
20 = 80 kips.
5. For a simply supported beam subjected to a uniformly distributed
load, the maximum bending moment occurs at:
,A. One-quarter span
B. Support location
C. Midspan
D. Anywhere along the span
C. Midspan
Under uniform loading, symmetry causes the maximum positive bending
moment to occur at the center of the span.
6. The reaction at each support of a simply supported beam carrying a
centered concentrated load of 40 kips is:
A. 10 kips
B. 20 kips
C. 30 kips
D. 40 kips
B. 20 kips
Because the load is centered, the reactions are equal. Each support carries
half of the total load, or 20 kips.
7. Which structural member primarily resists axial compression from
vertical loads?
A. Cable
B. Column
C. Brace
D. Plate
B. Column
Columns are designed to transfer vertical compressive loads from beams
and slabs down to the foundation.
8. The tributary area concept is used to:
, A. Determine wind loads
B. Calculate seismic forces
C. Assign loads to structural members based on supported area
D. Measure concrete strength
C. Assign loads to structural members based on supported area
Tributary area represents the portion of a structure whose load is
supported by a particular member.
9. A floor system has a live load of 50 psf and a tributary area of 200 ft².
The live load carried by the supporting beam is:
A. 5,000 lb
B. 10,000 lb
C. 15,000 lb
D. 20,000 lb
B. 10,000 lb
Load equals area times load intensity: 200 × 50 = 10,000 lb.
10. Which load combination generally produces the largest vertical
gravity effects?
A. Dead load only
B. Live load only
C. Dead load plus live load
D. Wind load only
C. Dead load plus live load
Gravity design typically considers both permanent and occupancy-related
loads acting simultaneously.
11. The unit weight of normal-weight reinforced concrete is
approximately:
Vertical Forces Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. In structural engineering, a dead load is best defined as:
A. A temporary load caused by occupancy
B. A load resulting from wind pressure
C. A permanent load that remains relatively constant throughout the life of
the structure
D. A seismic-induced load
C. A permanent load that remains relatively constant throughout the life of
the structure
Dead loads include the self-weight of structural components and
permanently attached materials. These loads are considered constant and
are a primary component of gravity load design.
2. Which of the following is classified as a live load?
A. Weight of concrete slab
B. Weight of roofing membrane
,C. Occupant load in an office building
D. Weight of steel beams
C. Occupant load in an office building
Live loads vary with occupancy and use. People, movable furniture, and
stored materials are common examples of live loads.
3. The primary direction of a vertical force acting on a building due to
gravity is:
A. Horizontal
B. Upward
C. Downward
D. Tangential
C. Downward
Gravity acts toward the center of the Earth, producing downward forces
that structural systems must safely resist and transfer to the foundation.
4. A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load of 4
kips/ft over a span of 20 ft. What is the total applied load?
A. 40 kips
B. 60 kips
C. 80 kips
D. 100 kips
C. 80 kips
The total load equals the load intensity multiplied by the span length: 4 ×
20 = 80 kips.
5. For a simply supported beam subjected to a uniformly distributed
load, the maximum bending moment occurs at:
,A. One-quarter span
B. Support location
C. Midspan
D. Anywhere along the span
C. Midspan
Under uniform loading, symmetry causes the maximum positive bending
moment to occur at the center of the span.
6. The reaction at each support of a simply supported beam carrying a
centered concentrated load of 40 kips is:
A. 10 kips
B. 20 kips
C. 30 kips
D. 40 kips
B. 20 kips
Because the load is centered, the reactions are equal. Each support carries
half of the total load, or 20 kips.
7. Which structural member primarily resists axial compression from
vertical loads?
A. Cable
B. Column
C. Brace
D. Plate
B. Column
Columns are designed to transfer vertical compressive loads from beams
and slabs down to the foundation.
8. The tributary area concept is used to:
, A. Determine wind loads
B. Calculate seismic forces
C. Assign loads to structural members based on supported area
D. Measure concrete strength
C. Assign loads to structural members based on supported area
Tributary area represents the portion of a structure whose load is
supported by a particular member.
9. A floor system has a live load of 50 psf and a tributary area of 200 ft².
The live load carried by the supporting beam is:
A. 5,000 lb
B. 10,000 lb
C. 15,000 lb
D. 20,000 lb
B. 10,000 lb
Load equals area times load intensity: 200 × 50 = 10,000 lb.
10. Which load combination generally produces the largest vertical
gravity effects?
A. Dead load only
B. Live load only
C. Dead load plus live load
D. Wind load only
C. Dead load plus live load
Gravity design typically considers both permanent and occupancy-related
loads acting simultaneously.
11. The unit weight of normal-weight reinforced concrete is
approximately:
