Arkansas Bridge Construction
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a bridge foundation?
A. To improve roadway drainage
B. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads to
the ground
C. To provide a wearing surface
D. To reduce traffic noise
Correct answer: To support the bridge superstructure
and transfer loads to the ground
Rationale: The foundation transfers vertical, lateral, and
other structural loads from the bridge into competent
soil or rock.
2. Which bridge component primarily carries traffic
loads from the deck to the bearings?
A. Wingwall
B. Abutment footing
C. Girder
D. Approach slab
Correct answer: Girder
Rationale: Girders are primary superstructure members
that receive deck loads and transfer them to bearings
and supporting substructure elements.
3. What is the primary function of a bridge bearing?
,A. Prevent concrete curing
B. Transfer loads while allowing required movement and
rotation
C. Increase pavement thickness
D. Seal construction joints permanently
Correct answer: Transfer loads while allowing required
movement and rotation
Rationale: Bearings transfer reactions between the
superstructure and substructure while accommodating
movements caused by temperature, shrinkage, creep,
and structural rotation.
4. What type of load is caused by the weight of the
bridge itself?
A. Live load
B. Wind load
C. Dead load
D. Impact load
Correct answer: Dead load
Rationale: Dead load is the permanent weight of
structural and other fixed components.
5. What is a live load?
A. Permanent structural weight
B. Temporary or moving load imposed on the structure
C. Weight of reinforcing steel only
D. Soil pressure only
Correct answer: Temporary or moving load imposed on
the structure
Rationale: Traffic, pedestrians, construction equipment,
and other temporary loads are generally treated as live
loads.
6. Which material is most commonly used for reinforcing
concrete?
,A. Aluminum
B. Reinforcing steel
C. Copper
D. Lead
Correct answer: Reinforcing steel
Rationale: Reinforcing steel provides tensile capacity to
concrete members that are otherwise relatively weak in
tension.
7. Why is concrete cover provided over reinforcing
steel?
A. To make concrete lighter
B. To improve paint adhesion
C. To protect reinforcement from corrosion and fire and provide
bond
D. To eliminate curing requirements
Correct answer: To protect reinforcement from corrosion
and fire and provide bond
Rationale: Adequate concrete cover protects reinforcing
steel from environmental exposure and contributes to
structural durability and fire resistance.
8. What is the purpose of concrete curing?
A. To remove cement from the mix
B. To maintain conditions necessary for hydration and strength
development
C. To increase aggregate size
D. To prevent all concrete shrinkage
Correct answer: To maintain conditions necessary for
hydration and strength development
Rationale: Proper curing maintains moisture and
temperature conditions that allow cement hydration
and development of the intended concrete properties.
, 9. Which test is commonly used to evaluate the
consistency/workability of fresh concrete?
A. Slump test
B. Tensile test
C. Proctor test
D. Plate-load test
Correct answer: Slump test
Rationale: The slump test provides an indication of the
consistency and workability of fresh concrete.
10. What can excessive water added to concrete
generally cause?
A. Increased strength in all cases
B. Reduced water-cement ratio
C. Reduced strength and increased permeability
D. Elimination of shrinkage
Correct answer: Reduced strength and increased
permeability
Rationale: Excess mixing water can increase the water-
cement ratio, generally reducing strength and
increasing permeability and durability problems.
11. What is the primary purpose of an abutment?
A. Support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
B. Paint the bridge railing
C. Provide temporary traffic control
D. Test concrete cylinders
Correct answer: Support the ends of the bridge and
retain approach fill
Rationale: Abutments support the superstructure at the
bridge ends and commonly retain the soil forming the
roadway approaches.
12. What is a pier?
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a bridge foundation?
A. To improve roadway drainage
B. To support the bridge superstructure and transfer loads to
the ground
C. To provide a wearing surface
D. To reduce traffic noise
Correct answer: To support the bridge superstructure
and transfer loads to the ground
Rationale: The foundation transfers vertical, lateral, and
other structural loads from the bridge into competent
soil or rock.
2. Which bridge component primarily carries traffic
loads from the deck to the bearings?
A. Wingwall
B. Abutment footing
C. Girder
D. Approach slab
Correct answer: Girder
Rationale: Girders are primary superstructure members
that receive deck loads and transfer them to bearings
and supporting substructure elements.
3. What is the primary function of a bridge bearing?
,A. Prevent concrete curing
B. Transfer loads while allowing required movement and
rotation
C. Increase pavement thickness
D. Seal construction joints permanently
Correct answer: Transfer loads while allowing required
movement and rotation
Rationale: Bearings transfer reactions between the
superstructure and substructure while accommodating
movements caused by temperature, shrinkage, creep,
and structural rotation.
4. What type of load is caused by the weight of the
bridge itself?
A. Live load
B. Wind load
C. Dead load
D. Impact load
Correct answer: Dead load
Rationale: Dead load is the permanent weight of
structural and other fixed components.
5. What is a live load?
A. Permanent structural weight
B. Temporary or moving load imposed on the structure
C. Weight of reinforcing steel only
D. Soil pressure only
Correct answer: Temporary or moving load imposed on
the structure
Rationale: Traffic, pedestrians, construction equipment,
and other temporary loads are generally treated as live
loads.
6. Which material is most commonly used for reinforcing
concrete?
,A. Aluminum
B. Reinforcing steel
C. Copper
D. Lead
Correct answer: Reinforcing steel
Rationale: Reinforcing steel provides tensile capacity to
concrete members that are otherwise relatively weak in
tension.
7. Why is concrete cover provided over reinforcing
steel?
A. To make concrete lighter
B. To improve paint adhesion
C. To protect reinforcement from corrosion and fire and provide
bond
D. To eliminate curing requirements
Correct answer: To protect reinforcement from corrosion
and fire and provide bond
Rationale: Adequate concrete cover protects reinforcing
steel from environmental exposure and contributes to
structural durability and fire resistance.
8. What is the purpose of concrete curing?
A. To remove cement from the mix
B. To maintain conditions necessary for hydration and strength
development
C. To increase aggregate size
D. To prevent all concrete shrinkage
Correct answer: To maintain conditions necessary for
hydration and strength development
Rationale: Proper curing maintains moisture and
temperature conditions that allow cement hydration
and development of the intended concrete properties.
, 9. Which test is commonly used to evaluate the
consistency/workability of fresh concrete?
A. Slump test
B. Tensile test
C. Proctor test
D. Plate-load test
Correct answer: Slump test
Rationale: The slump test provides an indication of the
consistency and workability of fresh concrete.
10. What can excessive water added to concrete
generally cause?
A. Increased strength in all cases
B. Reduced water-cement ratio
C. Reduced strength and increased permeability
D. Elimination of shrinkage
Correct answer: Reduced strength and increased
permeability
Rationale: Excess mixing water can increase the water-
cement ratio, generally reducing strength and
increasing permeability and durability problems.
11. What is the primary purpose of an abutment?
A. Support the ends of the bridge and retain approach fill
B. Paint the bridge railing
C. Provide temporary traffic control
D. Test concrete cylinders
Correct answer: Support the ends of the bridge and
retain approach fill
Rationale: Abutments support the superstructure at the
bridge ends and commonly retain the soil forming the
roadway approaches.
12. What is a pier?
