Geotechnical and Structural Engineering
Exam 2026/2027: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers for PE Civil, IBC 2024, ACI 318-22,
AISC 360, and ASCE 7-22
Description:
Master the 2026/2027 geotechnical and structural engineering exam with 100 expert-crafted
practice questions covering foundation design, lateral earth pressures, seismic design, soil
classification, and steel/concrete design. Includes complete answer explanations, IBC 2024
code references, and professional-grade content.
Download now and pass with confidence!
, PE Geotechnical & Structural Exam 2026/2027 - 100 Questions
Section A: Lateral Earth Pressures
Question 1
Which of the following statements regarding lateral earth pressures is correct?
A. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is considerably smaller than
the lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
B. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is slightly smaller than the
lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
C. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is slightly larger than the
lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
D. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is considerably larger than
the lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
Answer: D
Explanation: Passive earth pressure mobilization requires substantially greater lateral strain
compared to active pressure conditions. From fundamental mechanics, initiating movement from
rest demands greater force than sustaining existing motion, which eliminates options A and B.
Additionally, empirical data and theoretical relationships demonstrate that passive pressure
coefficients typically range from two to four times active pressure coefficients, making option C
incorrect. The Rankine and Coulomb earth pressure theories confirm that passive states develop
only after significant soil displacement, typically 5-15% of wall height for loose sands, whereas
active states mobilize at much smaller strains of approximately 0.1-0.5%.
,Section B: Foundation Engineering
Question 2
A bridge footing is to be constructed in sand with the groundwater table located at the ground
surface. Which unit weight should be used for ultimate bearing capacity calculations?
A. Buoyant unit weight
B. Saturated unit weight
C. Dry unit weight
D. Total unit weight
Answer: A
Explanation: When the groundwater table is at or above the footing base, effective stress
principles govern bearing capacity calculations. The buoyant unit weight, also termed effective
unit weight, represents the saturated unit weight minus the unit weight of water. This accounts
for the reduction in intergranular stresses due to pore water pressure, which directly influences
shear strength and bearing capacity. According to Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation and
modern foundation design standards including AASHTO and Eurocode 7, effective stress
parameters must be employed when analyzing soil behavior under saturated conditions.
Question 3
According to IBC 2024 requirements for quality assurance inspection of ASTM A325 high-
strength bolts in steel-framed structures, which inspection tasks are mandatory? (Select the two
that apply)
A. Verification of the magnitude of the clamping force
B. Calibration of the torque wrench
C. Confirmation that proper fastener components are used
, D. Confirmation that faying surfaces are brought into firm contact during bolt installation
E. Confirmation that the bolt installed has an AWS D1.1 certification
Answer: C and D
Explanation: IBC 2024 Section 1705.2.1 mandates that structural steel special inspections
comply with AISC 360 quality assurance requirements. AISC 360 Chapter N specifically
requires inspection of snug-tightened joints to verify proper fastener component utilization and
ensure faying surfaces achieve firm contact during installation. While torque wrench calibration
is important for installation procedures, it is not explicitly listed as a required inspection task
under these provisions. Clamping force verification is typically associated with tension-
controlled tightening methods rather than standard quality assurance inspections.
Question 4
The figure shows two identical building footings supporting the same load but constructed on
different soil profiles. Which statement is most accurate?
A. Long-term settlement for Case I is less than Case II.
B. Long-term settlement for Case II is less than Case I.
C. Long-term settlements are identical for both cases.
D. Settlement is not a concern for either case.
Answer: A
Explanation: Fine-grained soils, particularly clays, exhibit time-dependent consolidation
settlement that continues over extended periods due to their low hydraulic conductivity and
compressible nature. The difference in long-term settlement between the two cases stems from
the fundamentally different consolidation characteristics of clay versus granular materials. Case
I, representing a more favorable soil condition (typically granular or bearing stratum),
experiences primarily immediate settlement with minimal long-term consolidation, whereas Case
II (clay) undergoes significant time-dependent settlement.
Exam 2026/2027: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers for PE Civil, IBC 2024, ACI 318-22,
AISC 360, and ASCE 7-22
Description:
Master the 2026/2027 geotechnical and structural engineering exam with 100 expert-crafted
practice questions covering foundation design, lateral earth pressures, seismic design, soil
classification, and steel/concrete design. Includes complete answer explanations, IBC 2024
code references, and professional-grade content.
Download now and pass with confidence!
, PE Geotechnical & Structural Exam 2026/2027 - 100 Questions
Section A: Lateral Earth Pressures
Question 1
Which of the following statements regarding lateral earth pressures is correct?
A. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is considerably smaller than
the lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
B. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is slightly smaller than the
lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
C. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is slightly larger than the
lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
D. The lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil passive pressure is considerably larger than
the lateral strain required to fully mobilize soil active pressure.
Answer: D
Explanation: Passive earth pressure mobilization requires substantially greater lateral strain
compared to active pressure conditions. From fundamental mechanics, initiating movement from
rest demands greater force than sustaining existing motion, which eliminates options A and B.
Additionally, empirical data and theoretical relationships demonstrate that passive pressure
coefficients typically range from two to four times active pressure coefficients, making option C
incorrect. The Rankine and Coulomb earth pressure theories confirm that passive states develop
only after significant soil displacement, typically 5-15% of wall height for loose sands, whereas
active states mobilize at much smaller strains of approximately 0.1-0.5%.
,Section B: Foundation Engineering
Question 2
A bridge footing is to be constructed in sand with the groundwater table located at the ground
surface. Which unit weight should be used for ultimate bearing capacity calculations?
A. Buoyant unit weight
B. Saturated unit weight
C. Dry unit weight
D. Total unit weight
Answer: A
Explanation: When the groundwater table is at or above the footing base, effective stress
principles govern bearing capacity calculations. The buoyant unit weight, also termed effective
unit weight, represents the saturated unit weight minus the unit weight of water. This accounts
for the reduction in intergranular stresses due to pore water pressure, which directly influences
shear strength and bearing capacity. According to Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation and
modern foundation design standards including AASHTO and Eurocode 7, effective stress
parameters must be employed when analyzing soil behavior under saturated conditions.
Question 3
According to IBC 2024 requirements for quality assurance inspection of ASTM A325 high-
strength bolts in steel-framed structures, which inspection tasks are mandatory? (Select the two
that apply)
A. Verification of the magnitude of the clamping force
B. Calibration of the torque wrench
C. Confirmation that proper fastener components are used
, D. Confirmation that faying surfaces are brought into firm contact during bolt installation
E. Confirmation that the bolt installed has an AWS D1.1 certification
Answer: C and D
Explanation: IBC 2024 Section 1705.2.1 mandates that structural steel special inspections
comply with AISC 360 quality assurance requirements. AISC 360 Chapter N specifically
requires inspection of snug-tightened joints to verify proper fastener component utilization and
ensure faying surfaces achieve firm contact during installation. While torque wrench calibration
is important for installation procedures, it is not explicitly listed as a required inspection task
under these provisions. Clamping force verification is typically associated with tension-
controlled tightening methods rather than standard quality assurance inspections.
Question 4
The figure shows two identical building footings supporting the same load but constructed on
different soil profiles. Which statement is most accurate?
A. Long-term settlement for Case I is less than Case II.
B. Long-term settlement for Case II is less than Case I.
C. Long-term settlements are identical for both cases.
D. Settlement is not a concern for either case.
Answer: A
Explanation: Fine-grained soils, particularly clays, exhibit time-dependent consolidation
settlement that continues over extended periods due to their low hydraulic conductivity and
compressible nature. The difference in long-term settlement between the two cases stems from
the fundamentally different consolidation characteristics of clay versus granular materials. Case
I, representing a more favorable soil condition (typically granular or bearing stratum),
experiences primarily immediate settlement with minimal long-term consolidation, whereas Case
II (clay) undergoes significant time-dependent settlement.
