Q.

1
A storm drain inlet for a 2.7 acre parking area is to be designed. The rainfall
intensity is 8.6 in/hr
and the runoff coefficient is 0.96. The peak discharge, in cubic feet per second
, is most nearly:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
18
19
20
22
Solution
Given:
C = 0.96
I = 8.6 in/hr
A = 2.7 acre
Qp = C*I*A = 0.96*8.6*2.7 = 22.3 ft3/sec
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (D)

Q. 2
The cantilevered retaining wall shown is under design. What is most nearly the a
ctive resultant
per unit length of wall?
118.4lbf / ft 3
31o
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
280 lbf/ft
1900 lbf/ft
4260 lbf /ft
8530 lbf/ft
Hint: Calculate the coefficient of active earth pressure and use it to find the
active resultant.
Solution
The Rankine method may be used to find the active earth pressure acting at the b
ase of the wall
and granular backfill. Determine the active earth pressure acting at the base of
the wall and then
determine the active resultant. The equation for active pressure at the base of
the wall is
pa ka v ka H
The equation for the coefficient of active earth pressure is
1 sin 1 sin 31
ka

1 sin 1 sin 31
= 0.32
Calculate the resultant of the triangular pressure distribution.
Ra 12 pa H 12 kaH 2
lbf
1

(0.32) 118.4 3 (15ft) 2

ft
2

= 4262 lbf/ft of wall length (4260 lbf/ft)

Note that the resultant acts horizontally at the centroid of the triangular dist
ribution at one third
the height of the wall measured upward from the base.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (C)
Why Other Options Are Wrong

(A) This solution fails to square the height of the wall in the resultant calcul
ation. Note that
the units are incorrect as well.
(B) This incorrect solution assumes the active pressure acts at the centroid of
the pressure
distribution diagram; actually, it is the resultant active force that acts. This
answer is
obtained by multiplying by a centroid depth of 10 ft rather than 15 ft.
(D) This solution fails to divide the result by two, as required by a triangular
distribution.
Q. 3
The maximum specific energy in a rectangular channel is 9 feet. The critical vel
ocity, in ft/sec,
is most nearly:
(A) 8.7
(B) 12.3
(C) 14.1
(D) 15.4
Solution
Solve for the critical depth, which will allow you to solve for the critical vel
ocity.
dc = 2/3 Ec = 2/3 * 9 = 6 feet
vc = (gdc)1/2 = (32.2 * 6)1/2 = 13.9 ft /sec
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (C)

Q. 4
A 10ft by 10ft square, reinforced concrete footing is installed so that the foot
ing bearing surface
is 5 ft below the soil level, at a point where the allowable soil pressure is 35
00 psf. Other than
the soil above the footing, there is no surcharge. The soil unit weight is 100 l
bf/ft3. The footing
is located at the corner of a building and is loaded through a concentric 14 in
square column.
The column transmits a 125,000 lbf service dead load and a 175,000 lbf service l
ive load to the
footing. The critical (plan) area contributing to two-way punching shear is assu
med to be
92.44ft2. The dead load includes the colum ns w eightbutdoes notinclude the footi
ngs w eight.
The compressive strength for all of the concrete used is 3000 psi.
The ultimate two-way punching shear, in lbf, is most nearly?
Solution
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
350,000
450,000
550,000
650,000
The footing area is
A B 2 (10 ft )(10 ft ) 100 ft 2
The ultimate load carried by the footing is
P 1.4 Pd 1.7 Pl
(1.4)(125, 000 lbf)+(1.7)(175,000 lbf)
472,500 lbf
The factored soil pressure acting on the footing is
P 472, 500 lbf
pu u
A
100 ft 2
4725 lbf/ft 2
The ultimate two-way punching shear is
lbf

Vu pu Acritical 4725 2 92.44ft 2

ft

436, 779 lbf

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (B)

Q. 5
A 6.0 MGD water treatment plant is being planned that will use a local river as
its water source.
The raw water characteristics of the river are shown in Table 1.
Tracer studies done on the disinfection tank of a drinking water treatment plant
after construction
produced the plot shown in the figure below. To satisfy the surface water treatm
ent rule for
disinfection of Giardia (Table 2) on a day when the peak hourly flow rate is 5 M
GD, the water
temperature is 10C and the pH is 7.0, the residual chlorine concentration (mg/L)
needed is most
nearly:
NOTE: The chlorine dosage must not exceed 1/8 mg/L to minimize THM formation.
(A) 0.60
(B) 0.52
(C) 0.46
(D) 0.42
200
150
CONTACT
TIME, t10
100
(min)
50
0
Parameter
Turbidity
pH
Alkalinity
Calcium
Temperature
1
2
3
4
5
6
PEAK HOURLY FLOW RATE
TABLE 1
Value
17 NTU
6.8-7.1 S.U.
150 mg/L as CaCO3

51 mg/L as CaCO3
10C to 26C
7

TABLE 2
CT values (mg/Lmin) for inactivation of Giardia cysts by free chlorine at 10C
Chlorine
Concentration
(mg/L)
0.5
1.0
pH=7.0
Log Inactivations
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
18
33
33
70
82
105
0.4
19
38
56
75
94
113
0.6
20
40
59
79
99
119
0.8
21
41
62
82
103
123
1.0
21
42
64
85
106
127
1.2
22
44
65
87
109

131
1.4
22
45
67
89
112
134
1.6
23
46
68
91
114
137
1.8
23
46
70
93
116
139
2.0
24
47
71
95
118
142
2.2
24
48
72
96
120
144
2.4
24
49
73
97
122
146
2.6
25
49
74
99
123
148
2.8
25
50
75
100
125
150
3.0
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance Manual for Compliance wit
h

Filtration and Disinfection Requirements for Public Water Systems Using Surface
Water
Sources, Criteria and Standards Division, Office of Drinking Water (U.S.E.P.A. N
TIS
Publication NO. PB 90-148016), Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office,
October,
1979.
Solution
Surface Water Treatment Rule for disinfection of Giardia; 3 log inactivation req
uired. 2.5 log
inactivation allowed for treatment prior to disinfection. Therefore, 3-2.5 = 0.5
log inactivation
required by disinfection.
From the figure, at a peak hourly flow rate of 5 MGD, t10 = 50 min contact time.
CT 23 mg / L min; CT concentration x time
Ref: Davis 7 Cornwell, Environmental Engineering, McGraw Hill, 1998, p. 244, Tab
le 3-20.
C = CT/T (23 mg / L min) / 50 min 0.46 mg / L residual chlorine concentration nee
ded.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (C)

Q. 6
An eight phase intersection looses 2 seconds per phase and has an all-red durati
on of 3 seconds
on phases 1 and 4. If the sum of the ratios of approach flow to saturation flows
for all phases is
0.7 (i.e.the flow to saturation flow s forallphases is 0.7 (i.e.the "Y " value),t
hen the optim um
cycle time, in seconds, is most nearly:
olution
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Co
where
80
95
105
125
1 5L 5
1 y
o
i 1
Co = optimum cycle time (sec)
L = total lost time per cycle (sec)
yi = maximum value of approach flows to saturation flows for all lane groups usi
ng
phase i, qij/s;
L i R

i 1
2 8 2 3
= 22 sec
(1.5 22) 5
Co
1 0.7
= 126.7 sec
THE CORRECT AN WER I

(D)

Q. 7
Ifthe depth offlow ing w aterin a ditch w ith M annings roughness of0.02 and an a
verage bed
slope of 0.5% is 2 feet, the velocity (fps) of the water would be most nearly:
(A) 3.5
(B) 3.8
(C) 5.6
(D) 6.8
1
3
3
2
- 0"
DITCH ECTION
NOT TO CALE
olution
Determine the water velocity for the trapezoidal ditch. For a depth = 2.0 ft.
A 2.0 3x2.0 2.0 16.0 ft 2
R
V
b zy y
b 2 y 1 z2

2.0 3x2.0 2.0 1.092 ft

2.0 2x2.0 1 32
2
1
1.486 2 3 1 2 1.486
R s
x 1.092 3 0.005 2 5.6 ft / s
n
0.02
THE CORRECT AN WER I : (C)
1

Q. 8
Analyze the truss shown.
h
2
h
2
The force in member AH is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
300
600
670
670

lbf
lbf
lbf
lbf

(compression)
(compression)
(compression)
(tension)

Hint: olve by using the method of joints.

olution
From the sum of the moments about E, the vertical reaction at support A is
RA,v
(300 lbf)(2h)+(200 lbf)(3h)
4h
=300 lbf
Draw the free-body diagram of joint A.
By summing the forces in the horizontal direction, determine that the horizontal
reaction at A is
zero.
The sum of the forces in the vertical direction is
AH v RA,v 0 lbf

AHv = 300 lbf (compression)

From the geometry of the truss, the horizontal component of AH must be twice the
vertical
component.
AHh = (2)(300 lbf)
= 600 lbf (compression)
The resultant force in member AH is
AH AH v2 AH h2
(300 lbf) 2 600 lbf
2
= 670.8 lbf (670 lbf (compression))
THE CORRECT AN WER I (C)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A) This incorrect solution finds only the vertical component of the force in AH
.
(B) This incorrect solution finds the horizontal component of the force in AH.
(D) This incorrect solution identifies the resultant force in AH as a tensile fo
rce.

Q. 9
A city wants to design a sludge dewatering system for their 20-MGD secondary, ac
tivated sludge
treatment plant shown below.
The
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

sludge volume reduction (%) achieved by the thickener is most nearly:

50
58
65
70

T 1 =200mg/L
BOD f =5mg/L
T PE =80mg/L
T f =10mg/L
10, 000 lb/d@7500
olution
Assuming specific gravity of sludge is 1.00
ludge quantity and volume to be dewatered.
Primary ludge
lb / d (200 mg / L 80 mg / L)(8.34)(20 MGD ) 20, 016 lb / d
20, 016 lb / d
gpd
68.571 gpd
(8.34 lb / gal )(0.035)
econdary ludge (was)
10, 000 lb / d
gpd
0.1599 MGD 0.159,872 gpd
(8.34 lb / gal )(7, 500 mg / L)
Before Thickening
Total quantity = 20, 016 10, 000 30, 016 lb / d
Total volume = 68,571+159,872 = 228,443 gpd

After Thickening
Total quantity = 30,016 lb/d
Total volume

30, 016
79,979 gpd
(8.34 lb / gal )(0.045 percentage)
% R eduction in sludge volume=
CORRECT AN WER I : (C)
228.443-79,979
65%
228.443

Q. 10
Groundwater monitoring wells have been installed at the site of a proposed sanit
ary landfill such
that Well B is located 1,500 feet north and 300 feet west of Well A.
A proposed containment cell, having bottom dimensions of 500 feet (north to sout
h) and 100 feet
(east to west), is to be located such that the southeast corner is 100 feet west
and 500 feet north
of Well A.
The bottom of the landfill cell must be a minimum of 5 feet above the groundwate
r elevation.
The elevations that were determined at each well location are shown in the table
below.
The minimum bottom elevation for the proposed landfill cell if the bottom is to
be level is most
nearly:
(A) 227
(B) 232
(C) 237
(D) 242
Well
A
B
Groundwater
Elevation(ft)
229.75
222.25
Ground urface
Elevation (ft)
248.75
243.75
olution
Determine minimum bottom elevation of the containment cell.
The highest groundwater elevation within cell area = groundwater elevation at po
int A less the
groundwater drop to closest point of the cell, Point C highest groundwater eleva
tion within cell
area = groundwater elevation at Point A less the (distance A to C)*I
Distance Well A to cell [(500) *(500) (100)*(100)0.5 ] 510 ft
Highest groundwater elevation within cell area 229.75 510* 0.0049 227.25
Minimum bottom elevation of containment cell = highest groundwater elevation wit
hin cell area
plus 5 feet = 227.25 + 5 feet
Minimum bottom elevation of containment cell = 232 feet
CORRECT AN WER I : (B)

Q 11
A soil sample, taken from a borrow pit has a specific gravity of soil solids of
2.66. The sample
was taken to a materials laboratory and tested. The results of a standard Procto
r test are
tabulated below.
Weight of soil (lb) Moisture content (%)
3.20
12.8%
3.78
13.9%
4.40
15.0%
4.10
15.7%
3.70
16.6%
3.30
18.1%
The maximum dry density, in lb/ft3, is most nearly:
(A) 85
(B) 90
(C) 100
(D) 115
olution
tep 1: Derive unit weight (of wet soil) from:
= weight of soil/volume of proctor mold,
where volume of proctor mold = 1/30 ft3.
Weight Moist unit
of soil weight
lb
lb/ft3
W

3.2
96
3.8
113
4.4
132
4.1
123
3.7
111
3.3
99

tep 2: Derive dry density d

d / (1+w)
Moist unitMoisture Dry
weight content density
lb/ft3
%
lb/ft3

d
w
96
11%
86
113
13% 100
132
15% 115
123
17% 105
111
18%
94
99
19%
83
tep 3: Plot Moisture content (w) vs dry density (d)
Dry unit weight,
d
(lb/ft3)
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
80
10%
12%
14%
16%
Moisture Content, w (% )
18%
20%

tep 4: Identify maximum dry density (d) and optimum moisture content (w) from th
e plot:
Optimum moisture content = w = 15% and d(max) = 115 pcf
THE CORRECT AN WER I

(D)

Q. 12
A horizontal curve for a section of a highway has a design speed of 60 mph. The
terrain restricts
the radius of the curve to 1200 ft, which therefore requires the super elevation
at the curve, in
percent, to be most nearly:
(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 8
(D) 10
olution
Radius ( ft )
u2
15(e f s )
Given the radius of 1200 feet and the design speed of 60 mph, the side friction
factor (fs) comes
from Exhibit 3-14 on page 145 ofthe 2001 A A H TO A Policy on G eom etric D esig
n of
H ighw ays and treets w hich is based on the design speed. Itindicates thatfora
60 m ph design
speed the side friction factor is 0.12
fs = 0.12
ubstituting the known values into the radius equation, the only unknown is the
super elevation,
e. By solving for e, the super elevation rate is found.
(60mph) 2
1200 ft
15(e 0.12)
e 0.12
602
3600
e
0.12 0.08 8%
1200(15)
1200(15)
THE CORRECT AN WER I

( C )

Q. 13
A horizontal curve is defined by its radius of 851 feet, as shown below. The len
gth of the chord
AB, in feet, is most nearly:
A
B
12%
36o
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
505
515
525
535
olution
The chord is the straight-line distance from A to B.
AD
sin 36
2
AO
AD C / 2

AO R 851
C 2(851)sin(18) 525.95
Arc ACB=
2 851
534.70
360
THE CORRECT AN WER I

(C)

Q. 14
A concrete column and footing caries the loads shown.
The footing is 6 ft wide.
column dead load
column live load
moment due to wind
compressive strength of concrete
maximum allowable soil pressure
80 kips
100 kips
50 ft-kips
3000 lbf/in2
3000 lbf/in2
What is the minimum footing length, L, required for the entire footing to be con
sidered effective
in carrying these loads?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
1.7 ft
1.8 ft
7.7 ft
10 ft
Hint: For the entire footing to be effective, avoid tensile stress in the soil.

olution
Limit eccentricity, e, to one-sixth of the footing length to keep the soil resul
tant within the kern
limit and avoid tension in the soil.
M wind
M

P PD PL
50 ft kips

80 kips 100 kips

= 0.28 ft
L
e
6
L
0.28 ft
6
olving for L,
e
L 0.28 ft 6 1.68 ft
1.7 ft
THE CORRECT AN WER I (A)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(B) This incorrect solution calculates eccentricity using factored loads. Factor
ed loads are used
in concrete design, but not for determining footing size. Footing size should be
based on
unfactored soil pressure.
(C) This incorrect solution calculates the required size of a square footing (ig
noring the footing
width given) based on the dead and live loads and allowable soil pressure. The p
roblem
statement is asking for the minimum length required for the entire footing to be
effective, not the
minimum size based on the soil pressure.
(D) This incorrect solution calculates the required length based on the dead and
live loads and
allowable soil pressure. The problem statement is asking for the minimum length
required for
the entire footing to be effective, not the minimum size based on the soil press
ure.

Q. 15
The mechanical and plasticity tests of a soil under consideration as a fill mate
rial are shown
below:
A soil is under investigation. Mechanical and plasticity test results are shown
below:
Mechanical Analysis
ieve % passing by weight
10
19
40
25
200
66
Plasticity
Liquid Limit Plastic Limit
40
20
The soil may be classified, according to the Unified
system as:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

oil Classification (U C )

GP
W
CL
CH
olution
Refer to the Unified oil Classification ystem, Technical Memorandum No. 3-357,
U Army
Engineers Waterways Experiment tation, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1960. Note, this
classification table is reproduced in most geotechnical textbooks. You will find
it typically titled
as The U nified oilClassification ystem .
The Unified oil Classification system has two analytical components:
1. Particle size
2. Plasticity
Particle size
Less than half of the material is larger than No. 200 sieve: the material is a F
ine-grained soil.
Plasticity
The A tterbergs plotis above the A line,and the PIis greaterthan 7,the group sym b
olis CL.
The soil can be classified as CL ilty Clay.
THE CORRECT AN WER I

(C)

Q. 16
A transition curve is to be used to implement a change in cross-section from a n
ormally
crowned section to a fully superelevated section. The outer lane is to be gradua
lly aligned
from the normally crowned section to a straight level section at the Tangent-topiral (T. .)
point. The full superelevation is rotated about the centerline.
Degree of Curve (D) = 2.5
Two 11-foot lanes
Design superelevation = 0.08 ft/ft
Grade = +1.50%
Crown = 0.015 ft/ft
T. . tation = 100 + 00.00
T. . CL Elevation = 2,500.00 ft.
Length of spiral = 230 ft
The station (feet) where full superelevation is reached is most nearly:
olution
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

100
100
101
102

+
+
+
+

00
25
00
50

.C. ta. = T. . ta. + L

= (100+00) + (2 + 30) = 102 + 30
THE CORRECT AN WER I : (D)

Q. 17
Using the ND , which of the following statements must be true?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
The temperature factor, Ct, applies to member subjected to extremely cold
temperatures.
The volume factor, CV, applies only to glued laminated timber bending members.
The bending design value, Fb, for a floor framed with 1 x 6 sawn lumber joists m
ust
be multiplied by the repetitive member factor.
The load duration factor, CD, does not apply to the modulus of elasticity values
.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
I and II
II and III
II and IV
III and IV
Hint: Refer to ND

ec 2.3 for adjustment of design values.

olution
ection 2.3 and Table 2.3.1 of the ND contain the adjustment factors and their
applicability for
design values.
The volume factor, CV, is discussed in the footnotes to ND Table 2.3.1. Footnot
e 3 states, "The
volume factor, CV, shall apply only to glued laminated timber bending members (s
ee ec.
5.3.2)." tatement II is true.
The load duration factor, CD, is discussed in ND sec. 2.3.2 and ND table 2.3.2
. Both ND
ec. 2.3.2.1 and Footnote 1 to ND Table 2.3.2 state that "Load duration factors
shall not apply
to m odulus ofelasticity,E " tatem entIV is true.
THE CORRECT AN WER I (C)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A) Although statement II is true, statement I is false. The temperature factor,
Ct, is discussed in
ND ec. 2.3.4. The temperature factor applies to members subjected to sustained
exposure to
elevated (over 100 F) temperatures. Because the statement applies to members subj
ected to
extreme cold, not heat, statement I is false.
(B) Although statement II is true, statement III is false. The repetitive member

factor, Cr, is
discussed in Footnote 5 of ND Table 2.3.1 Footnote 5 states, "The repetitive me
mber factor,
Cr, shall apply only to dimension lumber bending members 2 in to 4 in thick (see
ec. 4.3.4)."
Because the joists in this case are 1 in thick, statement III is false.
(D) Although statement IV is true, statement III is false because the repetitive
member factor,
Cr, applies only to dimension lumber bending members 2 in to 4 in thick. The joi
sts in this case
are 1 in thick.

Q.-18
A soil sample weighing 66.8 lb with a moisture content of 19 percent, volume of
0.55 cubic feet,
has a specific gravity of 2.72. The degree of saturation is most nearly:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
olution
W /V
= 66.83 / 0.55
= 121.5 pcf
d / (1 + w)
d = 121.5 / (1 + 0.19)
d = 102.1 pcf
d = (Gs * w ) / (1 + e)
e = ((Gs * w ) / d ) 1
e = ((2.72 * 62.4) / 102.1) 1
e = 0.66
= (w * Gs) / e
= ((0.19)*(2.72)) / 0.66
= 0.78
THE CORRECT AN WER I : (D)

Q. 19
What is the average hydraulic detention time for a rectangular tank with dimensi
ons of 2.5 m by
15 m by 3.0 m deep receiving a flow of 900 m3/d? The hydraulic efficiency of the
tank is 83%.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
2.3
2.5
3.0
3.6

h
h
h
h

Hint: The average detention time will be less than the theoretical detention tim
e.
olution
E
Q
t
ta
V
fractional efficiency
flow rate
theoretical hydraulic detention time
actual hydraulic detention time
volume
h
(2.5m)(15m)(3.0m) 24
V
d
t
3
m
Q
900
d
3.0 h
ta tE
83%
3.0 h
100%
=2.5 h
m3/d
d
d
m3
THE CORRECT AN WER I (B)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A)
This incorrect solution divides the flow rate by the volume to get the theoretic

al detention
time. The theoretical detention time is then divided by the percent efficiency i
nstead of being
multiplied by the fractional efficiency. Other definitions and equations are unc
hanged from the
correct solution.

m3 h
900

24
d d
Q

t
V 2.5m)(15m)(3.0m
192 h/d 2
h
192 2
d
ta
83%
2.3 h
Units do not make sense.

(C) This incorrect solution calculates the theoretical detention time. The hydra
ulic efficiency
is ignored. Other definitions and equations are unchanged from the correct solut
ion.
h
2.5m)(15m)(3.0m 24
d
t
3
m
900
d
3.0 h
(D)
In this incorrect solution, the theoretical detention time is divided by the hyd
raulic
efficiency instead of being multiplied by it. Other definitions and equations ar
e unchanged from
the correct solution.
h
2.5m)(15m)(3.0m 24
d
t
3
m
900
d
3.0 h
100%
ta 3.0 h

83%
=3.6 h
Q. 20
Assume all soils in a drainage basin are in the oil Conservation ervice ( C )
hydrologic soil
Group B. Also assume that the vegetative covers are in good condition. The land
use is parks
and open space. The C Runoff Curve Number (CN) for the entire area is most clo
sely
approximated by:
(A) 43
(B) 54
(C) 61
(D) 81
olution
Determine the C Runnoff Curve Number for the entire area. For soil Group B, wi
th good
vegetative cover in urban, fully developed open space (parks, lawns), the approp
riate C curve
number (Gupta, Hydrology and Hydraulic ystems, Prentice Hall, 1989, p. 101)
CN = 61
THE CORRECT AN WER I

(C)