Download Structural Engineering Exam Questions for Guam: ASCE & IBC Standards and more Exams Technology in PDF only on Docsity!
Question 229. When performing a wind‑load analysis for a high‑rise office tower on Guam, the “gust factor” (G) prescribed by ASCE 7 ‑16 for a building with a height greater than 200 ft is: A) 0. B) 0. C) 0. D) 0. Answer: B Explanation: ASCE 7‑16 specifies a gust factor of 0.85 for structures taller than 200 ft, reflecting increased wind turbulence at greater elevations. Question 230. The IBC requires a minimum fire‑resistance rating of 2 hours for which of the following structural elements in a high‑rise residential building on Guam? A) Exterior bearing walls B) Steel columns supporting more than 3 stories C) Concrete slab on grade D) Non‑structural interior partitions Answer: B Explanation: The IBC mandates a 2‑hour fire‑rating for steel columns that support three or more stories to protect against fire‑induced loss of strength. Question 231. In the design of a post‑tensioned concrete slab, the “effective tendon eccentricity” (e) is typically taken as: A) 0.25 × slab thickness B) 0.5 × slab thickness C) 0.75 × slab thickness D) 1.0 × slab thickness Answer: B
Explanation: Code practice assumes the tendon centroid is located at half the slab thickness, giving an eccentricity of 0.5 t to develop the required moment. Question 232. Which of the following soil‑testing methods is most appropriate for determining the “modulus of subgrade reaction” (k) for a shallow foundation on a volcanic ash deposit in Guam? A) Plate load test B) Standard Penetration Test (SPT) C) Cone Penetration Test (CPT) D) Vane shear test Answer: A Explanation: A plate load test directly measures the settlement response of the soil under a known load, providing the modulus of subgrade reaction needed for foundation design. Question 233. According to ACI 318‑19, the minimum spacing of transverse reinforcement (stirrups) in a beam that is required for shear design is the lesser of: A) 6 inches or 12 × bar diameter B) 8 inches or 10 × bar diameter C) 12 inches or 16 × bar diameter D) 4 inches or 8 × bar diameter Answer: A Explanation: ACI 318‑19 limits stirrup spacing to a maximum of 6 inches or 12 times the bar diameter, whichever is smaller, to ensure adequate shear capacity. Question 234. A structural steel beam in Guam is to be fabricated from ASTM A992 steel. The specified minimum yield strength (Fy) for this grade is: A) 36 ksi B) 42 ksi C) 50 ksi D) 65 ksi
B) 1.
C) 1.
D) 1.
Answer: C Explanation: ASCE 7‑16 assigns a site coefficient Ss = 1.2 for site class D, reflecting the amplification of ground motion in soft soils. Question 238. The IBC defines a “high‑rise building” as a structure with a height of: A) 75 ft or more B) 100 ft or more C) 150 ft or more D) 200 ft or more Answer: C Explanation: The IBC classifies any building 150 ft or taller as high‑rise, which triggers additional fire‑protection and egress requirements. Question 239. For a concrete column subjected to axial load only, the allowable stress design (ASD) compressive stress (Fc) is calculated as: A) 0.45 × f'c B) 0.55 × f'c C) 0.65 × f'c D) 0.75 × f'c Answer: B Explanation: ASD for concrete compression uses a factor of 0.55 applied to the specified compressive strength f'c.
Question 240. Which of the following statements about “post‑installed” reinforcing bars (e.g., epoxy‑coated rebar added after concrete placement) is correct under ACI 318 ‑19? A) They may be used without additional development length. B) They require a minimum of 2 inches of embedment beyond the concrete surface. C) They are prohibited in seismic zones. D) They must be fully encased in concrete for a minimum of 3 inches cover. Answer: B Explanation: Post‑installed bars must have at least 2 inches of embedment beyond the concrete surface to develop sufficient bond strength. Question 241. When a structural engineer prepares a “construction‑phase” submittal for a steel moment frame, the required “shop drawing” must include all of the following EXCEPT: A) Member dimensions and material specifications B) Detailed weld symbols and sizes C) Contractor’s labor schedule D) Bolt grades and torque values Answer: C Explanation: A shop drawing focuses on the fabrication details of the steel members; the contractor’s labor schedule is not part of the drawing package. Question 242. In a reinforced concrete beam, the “crack width” limit for a member supporting a plaster finish is: A) 0.010 inches B) 0.020 inches C) 0.030 inches D) 0.040 inches Answer: B
Answer: B Explanation: Coral surfaces are relatively smooth and can be coated with marine growth, resulting in a lower skin‑friction coefficient compared with dense sand. Question 246. According to the Guam Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) regulations, the tax rate applied to professional engineering services is: A) 2 % B) 4 % C) 5 % D) 6 % Answer: B Explanation: Guam’s GRT imposes a 4 % tax on professional services, including engineering consulting fees. Question 247. In the context of the “Equivalent Lateral Force” (ELF) method, the term “effective mass” (m) of a building is typically taken as: A) 100 % of the total building weight B) 85 % of the total building weight C) 75 % of the total building weight D) 50 % of the total building weight Answer: B Explanation: ASCE 7‑16 recommends using 85 % of the total building weight as the effective mass for seismic force calculations, accounting for non‑structural components that do not contribute to dynamic response. Question 248. Which of the following concrete admixtures is most effective for reducing the heat of hydration in large‑volume pours on Guam’s tropical islands? A) Superplasticizer (high‑range water reducer)
B) Calcium nitrate set accelerator C) Fly ash (Class F) D. Silica fume Answer: C Explanation: Class F fly ash replaces a portion of cement, lowering the heat of hydration and mitigating thermal cracking in massive concrete placements. Question 249. The “minimum required thickness” for a concrete sidewalk located within 10 ft of the shoreline on Guam, exposed to splash and occasional wave action, is: A) 3 inches B) 4 inches C) 5 inches D. 6 inches Answer: C Explanation: ASCE 7 and local code guidance specify a minimum thickness of 5 inches for concrete elements exposed to splash and mild wave impact to ensure durability. Question 250. When a structural engineer on Guam prepares a “record drawing” after project completion, which of the following items must be included to satisfy the Guam Building Code’s documentation requirements? A) As‑built dimensions, material specifications, and any design changes approved by the owner B) Contractor’s daily labor logs C) Supplier invoices for all structural steel D) Photographs of the construction site during demolition Answer: A Explanation: Record drawings must reflect the final as‑built conditions, including any design modifications that received formal approval, to serve as a reliable reference for future inspections, maintenance, and potential renovations.
