Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the Critical Path Method
(CPM) in project scheduling?**
A) A technique for allocating resources to tasks based on cost
B) A method that identifies the longest sequence of activities determining project
duration
C) A statistical approach to estimate project risks
D) A tool for evaluating contractor bids
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM determines the longest path of dependent activities, which
defines the minimum project completion time.
**Question 2. In the Rational Method for peak discharge estimation, the runoff
coefficient (C) primarily depends on which factor?**
A) Soil permeability
B) Rainfall intensity
C) Drainage area shape
D) Time of concentration
Answer: A
Explanation: The runoff coefficient reflects land surface characteristics such as
permeability, vegetation, and slope.
**Question 3. Which equation is most appropriate for calculating head loss due to
friction in a turbulent pipe flow when the Hazen‑Williams formula is applicable?**
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
A) Darcy‑Weisbach equation
B) Manning’s equation
C) Hazen‑Williams equation
D) Bernoulli’s equation
Answer: C
Explanation: The Hazen‑Williams equation is empirically derived for water flow in
pipes at typical municipal pressures and provides head loss directly.
**Question 4. According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil
with the symbol “CL” is classified as:**
A) Clayey sand
B) Silty sand
C) Clay of low plasticity
D) Silty clay of high plasticity
Answer: C
Explanation: “C” denotes clay, and “L” denotes low plasticity in the USCS.
**Question 5. The active earth pressure coefficient (Ka) for a cohesionless soil can
be calculated using Rankine’s theory as:**
A) Ka = (1 – sin φ) / (1 + sin φ)
B) Ka = (1 + sin φ) / (1 – sin φ)
C) Ka = tan²(45° – φ/2)
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
D) Ka = tan²(45° + φ/2)
Answer: A
Explanation: Rankine’s active earth pressure coefficient for cohesionless soils is Ka
= (1 – sin φ)/(1 + sin φ).
**Question 6. In reinforced concrete beam design using the LRFD method, the
nominal moment capacity (Mn) is multiplied by which factor to obtain the design
strength (φMn)?**
A) 0.75
B) 0.85
C) 0.90
D) 1.00
Answer: B
Explanation: For flexure in LRFD, the resistance factor φ is typically 0.90 for
steel‑reinforced concrete, but the factor applied to Mn is φ = 0.90; however, many
code tables present φ = 0.90 for beams, while the question asks for the factor
used, which is 0.90. (If using ASD, the factor would be 0.75.)
**Question 7. Which of the following load combinations is required by ASCE 7‑16
for ultimate strength design of a building?**
A) 1.0 Dead + 1.0 Live
B) 1.2 Dead + 1.6 Live + 0.5 Snow
C) 0.9 Dead + 1.0 Live + 1.0 Wind
D) 1.0 Dead + 0.5 Live + 0.2 Earthquake
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: ASCE 7‑16 specifies 1.2 D + 1.6 L + 0.5 S (or other applicable
combinations) for ultimate limit state design.
**Question 8. In a steel I‑section, which failure mode is most critical when the
section is subjected primarily to axial compression?**
A) Local buckling of the flange
B) Lateral‑torsional buckling
C) Flexural buckling of the web
D) Material yielding
Answer: A
Explanation: For short, stocky steel columns, flange local buckling often governs
compression capacity before overall buckling.
**Question 9. The design traffic volume (ADT) for a highway intersection is 20,000
vehicles per day. According to the Highway Capacity Manual, what is the
approximate peak hour factor (PHF) to use for capacity analysis?**
A) 0.70
B) 0.80
C) 0.90
D) 1.00
Answer: B
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the Critical Path Method
(CPM) in project scheduling?**
A) A technique for allocating resources to tasks based on cost
B) A method that identifies the longest sequence of activities determining project
duration
C) A statistical approach to estimate project risks
D) A tool for evaluating contractor bids
Answer: B
Explanation: CPM determines the longest path of dependent activities, which
defines the minimum project completion time.
**Question 2. In the Rational Method for peak discharge estimation, the runoff
coefficient (C) primarily depends on which factor?**
A) Soil permeability
B) Rainfall intensity
C) Drainage area shape
D) Time of concentration
Answer: A
Explanation: The runoff coefficient reflects land surface characteristics such as
permeability, vegetation, and slope.
**Question 3. Which equation is most appropriate for calculating head loss due to
friction in a turbulent pipe flow when the Hazen‑Williams formula is applicable?**
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
A) Darcy‑Weisbach equation
B) Manning’s equation
C) Hazen‑Williams equation
D) Bernoulli’s equation
Answer: C
Explanation: The Hazen‑Williams equation is empirically derived for water flow in
pipes at typical municipal pressures and provides head loss directly.
**Question 4. According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), a soil
with the symbol “CL” is classified as:**
A) Clayey sand
B) Silty sand
C) Clay of low plasticity
D) Silty clay of high plasticity
Answer: C
Explanation: “C” denotes clay, and “L” denotes low plasticity in the USCS.
**Question 5. The active earth pressure coefficient (Ka) for a cohesionless soil can
be calculated using Rankine’s theory as:**
A) Ka = (1 – sin φ) / (1 + sin φ)
B) Ka = (1 + sin φ) / (1 – sin φ)
C) Ka = tan²(45° – φ/2)
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
D) Ka = tan²(45° + φ/2)
Answer: A
Explanation: Rankine’s active earth pressure coefficient for cohesionless soils is Ka
= (1 – sin φ)/(1 + sin φ).
**Question 6. In reinforced concrete beam design using the LRFD method, the
nominal moment capacity (Mn) is multiplied by which factor to obtain the design
strength (φMn)?**
A) 0.75
B) 0.85
C) 0.90
D) 1.00
Answer: B
Explanation: For flexure in LRFD, the resistance factor φ is typically 0.90 for
steel‑reinforced concrete, but the factor applied to Mn is φ = 0.90; however, many
code tables present φ = 0.90 for beams, while the question asks for the factor
used, which is 0.90. (If using ASD, the factor would be 0.75.)
**Question 7. Which of the following load combinations is required by ASCE 7‑16
for ultimate strength design of a building?**
A) 1.0 Dead + 1.0 Live
B) 1.2 Dead + 1.6 Live + 0.5 Snow
C) 0.9 Dead + 1.0 Live + 1.0 Wind
D) 1.0 Dead + 0.5 Live + 0.2 Earthquake
, Minnesota MN Engineering Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: ASCE 7‑16 specifies 1.2 D + 1.6 L + 0.5 S (or other applicable
combinations) for ultimate limit state design.
**Question 8. In a steel I‑section, which failure mode is most critical when the
section is subjected primarily to axial compression?**
A) Local buckling of the flange
B) Lateral‑torsional buckling
C) Flexural buckling of the web
D) Material yielding
Answer: A
Explanation: For short, stocky steel columns, flange local buckling often governs
compression capacity before overall buckling.
**Question 9. The design traffic volume (ADT) for a highway intersection is 20,000
vehicles per day. According to the Highway Capacity Manual, what is the
approximate peak hour factor (PHF) to use for capacity analysis?**
A) 0.70
B) 0.80
C) 0.90
D) 1.00
Answer: B
