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Free FE Civil Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style FE Civil (FE Civil) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free FE Civil practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A soil sample has a specific gravity of solids Gs = 2.70, a water content w = 25%, and a degree of saturation S = 90%. The void ratio of this soil is most nearly:

  1. 0.43 under applicable rules
  2. 0.61 in the standard framework
  3. 0.68 for this purpose
  4. 0.75 as commonly understood
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 0.75 as commonly understood

Question 2

A W-shape steel column has a modulus of elasticity E = 29,000 ksi and a moment of inertia I = 100 in.⁴ about its weak axis. The column is 20 ft long with one end fixed and the other end pinned (K = 0.7). The critical Euler buckling load is most nearly:

  1. 124 kips as commonly understood
  2. 497 kips under accepted convention
  3. 1,014 kips as ordinarily interpreted
  4. 1,988 kips for this purpose
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 1,014 kips as ordinarily interpreted

Question 3

A rectangular open channel is 3.0 m wide with a uniform flow depth of 1.2 m. The channel has a Manning's roughness coefficient n = 0.013 and a bed slope of 0.002. Using Manning's equation (SI), the discharge is most nearly:

  1. 7.0 m³/s in this context
  2. 9.5 m³/s under applicable rules
  3. 11.2 m³/s in this context
  4. 14.1 m³/s in the standard framework
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 9.5 m³/s under applicable rules

Question 4

A horizontal curve has a radius of 800 ft and a central angle (Δ) of 40°. The tangent length of this curve is most nearly:

  1. 291 ft as commonly understood
  2. 547 ft in this context
  3. 559 ft under applicable rules
  4. 671 ft when applied properly
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 291 ft as commonly understood

Question 5

A construction project has a budget at completion (BAC) of $500,000. At the end of month 6, the planned value is $200,000, the earned value is $180,000, and the actual cost is $210,000. The estimate at completion (EAC) assuming current cost performance continues is most nearly:

  1. $530,000 in the standard framework
  2. $556,000 in the standard framework
  3. $583,000 under standard market practice
  4. $648,000 in this context
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - $583,000 under standard market practice

Question 6

An element in a steel beam is subjected to the following state of stress: σx = 120 MPa, σy = −40 MPa, and τxy = 50 MPa. The maximum in-plane shear stress is most nearly:

  1. 80 MPa in the standard framework
  2. 84 MPa in the standard framework
  3. 94 MPa in the typical case
  4. 130 MPa for this purpose
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 94 MPa in the typical case

Question 7

In a planar truss, three members meet at an unloaded joint. Two of the members are collinear. Which of the following statements about the third member is correct?

  1. It carries the same force as the collinear pair
  2. It carries half the force of the collinear pair
  3. It is a zero-force member in the standard framework
  4. Its force depends on the support reactions
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - It is a zero-force member in the standard framework

Question 8

Water flows through a horizontal pipe that contracts from a 300 mm diameter to a 150 mm diameter. The upstream pressure is 350 kPa and the upstream velocity is 2.0 m/s. Neglecting friction losses, the pressure at the downstream section is most nearly:

  1. 320 kPa when applied properly
  2. 344 kPa as ordinarily interpreted
  3. 350 kPa as ordinarily interpreted
  4. 380 kPa in this context
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 320 kPa when applied properly

Question 9

A machine costs $25,000 and produces annual savings of $8,000 for 5 years with a salvage value of $3,000 at the end of its useful life. At an interest rate of 10% per year, the net present worth of this investment is most nearly:

  1. $5,300 in the typical case
  2. $6,000 in the typical case
  3. $7,200 in the typical case
  4. $8,300 in this context
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - $7,200 in the typical case

Question 10

During construction inspection, a licensed professional engineer discovers that a contractor has deviated from the approved structural drawings in a way that could compromise public safety. According to the NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the engineer's obligation is to:

  1. Allow the contractor to self-correct within a set timeframe
  2. Report the deviation to the appropriate authority
  3. Consult with the contractor's insurance carrier under applicable rules
  4. Defer to the project owner's judgment on the matter
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Report the deviation to the appropriate authority

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