FE CIVIL EXAM UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Plane Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that disregards the curvature of the
earth. Appropriate if the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that considers the curvature of
the earth.
Zoned Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that allows computations to be
performed as if on a plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - CORRECT ANSWER - Rectangular systems that use a
partial latitude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - CORRECT ANSWER - Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or
engineer's level, as well as a rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring
horizontal distances
Plane Table Survey - CORRECT ANSWER - Used in conjunction with a telescopic
instrument. Used in field compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Integrates theodolites, electronic
distancing measurement (EDM), and data recorders
Triangulation - CORRECT ANSWER - The positions of the survey points are determined
by measuring the angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
Trilateration - CORRECT ANSWER - Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the
triangles sides are measured
,Photogrammetric Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - CORRECT ANSWER - Aircraft
mounted laser systems designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - CORRECT ANSWER - Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging
Global Positioning System; one-way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines
position without referencing any other point
Inertial Survey Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Determine a position on the earth by
analyzing the movement of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts
that to distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - CORRECT ANSWER - A computer system that
stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal
information, and characteristics
Sexagesimal System - CORRECT ANSWER - Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - CORRECT ANSWER - (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
Benchmark - CORRECT ANSWER - The common name given to permanent monuments
of known vertical positions
Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - CORRECT ANSWER - Monuments with
known horizontal positions.
Datum - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical
elevations are measured from
,Gunter's Chain - CORRECT ANSWER - standard unit of distance measurement, which
equals 66 feet.
Cut Chains - CORRECT ANSWER - 100' long tapes
Add Chains - CORRECT ANSWER - 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - CORRECT ANSWER - Involved sighting through
a small angle at a distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - CORRECT ANSWER - Interval between two rod readings on a
distant stadia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - CORRECT ANSWER - Very accurate for short
(~2 mile) distances and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - CORRECT ANSWER - In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100'
sections called stations [sta = units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
Stakes - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed
anywhere else (plus station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
, 2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling
instrument) and rod to measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - CORRECT ANSWER - ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - A level is set up at a point approximately
midway between the two points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - The consecutive application of direct
leveling to the measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - Does not require backsight
Meridian - CORRECT ANSWER - An arc drawn on a map between the North and South
poles. (Vertical)
Azimuth - CORRECT ANSWER - Given as a clockwise angle from the reference
direction, either from the north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
Deflection Angle - CORRECT ANSWER - The angle between a line and the prolongation
of a preceding line is a deflection angle.
Right - clockwise angles
Left - counterclockwise angles
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Plane Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that disregards the curvature of the
earth. Appropriate if the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that considers the curvature of
the earth.
Zoned Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Type of survey that allows computations to be
performed as if on a plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - CORRECT ANSWER - Rectangular systems that use a
partial latitude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - CORRECT ANSWER - Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or
engineer's level, as well as a rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring
horizontal distances
Plane Table Survey - CORRECT ANSWER - Used in conjunction with a telescopic
instrument. Used in field compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Integrates theodolites, electronic
distancing measurement (EDM), and data recorders
Triangulation - CORRECT ANSWER - The positions of the survey points are determined
by measuring the angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
Trilateration - CORRECT ANSWER - Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the
triangles sides are measured
,Photogrammetric Surveys - CORRECT ANSWER - Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - CORRECT ANSWER - Aircraft
mounted laser systems designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - CORRECT ANSWER - Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging
Global Positioning System; one-way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines
position without referencing any other point
Inertial Survey Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Determine a position on the earth by
analyzing the movement of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts
that to distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - CORRECT ANSWER - A computer system that
stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal
information, and characteristics
Sexagesimal System - CORRECT ANSWER - Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - CORRECT ANSWER - (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
Benchmark - CORRECT ANSWER - The common name given to permanent monuments
of known vertical positions
Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - CORRECT ANSWER - Monuments with
known horizontal positions.
Datum - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical
elevations are measured from
,Gunter's Chain - CORRECT ANSWER - standard unit of distance measurement, which
equals 66 feet.
Cut Chains - CORRECT ANSWER - 100' long tapes
Add Chains - CORRECT ANSWER - 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - CORRECT ANSWER - Involved sighting through
a small angle at a distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - CORRECT ANSWER - Interval between two rod readings on a
distant stadia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - CORRECT ANSWER - Very accurate for short
(~2 mile) distances and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - CORRECT ANSWER - In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100'
sections called stations [sta = units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
Stakes - CORRECT ANSWER - Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed
anywhere else (plus station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
, 2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling
instrument) and rod to measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - CORRECT ANSWER - ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - A level is set up at a point approximately
midway between the two points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - The consecutive application of direct
leveling to the measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - CORRECT ANSWER - Does not require backsight
Meridian - CORRECT ANSWER - An arc drawn on a map between the North and South
poles. (Vertical)
Azimuth - CORRECT ANSWER - Given as a clockwise angle from the reference
direction, either from the north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
Deflection Angle - CORRECT ANSWER - The angle between a line and the prolongation
of a preceding line is a deflection angle.
Right - clockwise angles
Left - counterclockwise angles
