Practice Exam 2

AM (B)
Solutions

Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 1

Operating at a critical velocity of 15 ft /sec, the critical flow, in cubic feet per second, for a
rectangular 10-foot wide channel, is most nearly:

(A) 800
(B) 1000
(C) 1200
(D) 1400

Solution
Since critical velocity is provided, the critical depth can be solved and then the flow at the
critical depth can be calculated since the width of the rectangular channel is known.
vc = gdc = 15 ft /sec
Solving for dc = vc / g = 152 / 32.2 = 7.0 feet
2

Then using the critical depth relationship for a rectangular channel, the flow is determined.
Q2
dc3 2
gw
Q2 = dc3 * g * w2 = 73 * 32.2 * 102 = 1104460 cfs2
Q = 1051 cfs
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS ( B )

Q. 2
A traffic stream has mean time headways of 2.4 seconds. If the jam density is 51.06 vehicles
per mile, the optimum speed is 60 miles per hour, and the flow is 1500 vehicles per hour, the
capacity of the highway, in vehicles per hour, is most nearly:

(A) 1500
(B) 1530
(C) 1575
(D) 1675

Solution
Optimum speed, uo = 60 mph
Free speed, uf = 2 x uo = 120 mph
u * k j 120*51.06
qmax f 1,531.8vehicles / hour
4 4
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (B)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 3
A mass concrete gravity retaining wall weighs 10 tons and supports soil as shown below.

The Factor of Safety for overturning is most nearly:

(A) 1.5
(B) 2.0
(C) 3.0
(D) 3.5

Solution
Step 1: compute KA and KP
The coefficient of active pressure, KA is provided by:
1 sin
KA
1 sin
The coefficient of passive pressure, KP is provided by:
1 sin
Kp
1 sin
where,
= angle of friction
1 sin(30)
KA 0.333
1 sin(30)
1 sin(30)
Kp 3.000
1 sin(30)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Step 2: compute horizontal forces
Sliding resistance,
T = W tan (= 20000 x tan (30) = 11,547 lb/ft
PA = KA
z2 = x 0.333 x 120 x 212= 8,820 lb/ft
PP = KP
z2 = x 3.000 x 120 x 62= 6,480 lb/ft
Step 3: compute stabilizing and destabilizing moments
Assume that overturning would be about the toe, point P.
F = (20,000 x 6.5) + (6,480 x 2) / (8,820 x 7) = 2.32

Alternative question: determine the factor of safety against forward movement

Compute ratio of stabilizing and destabilizing forces
F = (T + PP)/ PA = (11,547+6,480)/ 8,820 = 2.04
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 4

A BOD sample was incubated at 27 C for 7 days and was found to measure 100 mg/L. Given k20
-1
= 0.23 d , base e. The concentration of BOD (mg/L) for this sample that would be measured in
an incubation time of 5 days and a temperature of 20 C would be most nearly:
(A) 125
(B) 76
(C) 35
(D) 20

Solution
k27 k0 1.047T 20

k27 0.23 1.047 27-20 0.32

BODT 100
BODL 112 mg / L
(1 e )
kT
1 e 0.32(7)

BODT BODL (1 e kt ) 112

1 e 0.23(5) 76.5 mg / L

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (B)

 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 5
Youa r
et oeva l
ua tethei mpa ctofmoi stureinamuni cipalityssolidwa stes tr
ea mon their
proc e
ssinga nddi sposals ystems .Thet ablebelowi sa na nalysisoft hemuni cipali
tyswa st
e
stream based on records for the past 3 years. All values are expressed as percentages by weight.
The moisture content of each component is relatively constant.
The moisture content (%) in the average waste stream is most nearly:
(A) 36
(B) 30
(C) 25
(D) 21
Solid Waste Characteristics
Stream Composition,
Component Percent by Weight Average Moisture,
Average Percent by Weight
Organic
Food 8.0 65.0
Paper 39.0 7.0
Cardboard 6.0 6.0
Plastic 5.0 2.5
Cloth 2.5 10.5
Rubber 1.0 2.5
Leather 0.3 10.0
Grass, Plants, etc 20.5 55.0
Wood 3.0 27.5
Inorganic
Glass 6.0 2.5
Metals 5.7 3.0
Dirt, Ash, etc 3.0 9.0
100%

Solution
From the table in Question 515, Solid Waste Characteristic, stream composition and average
moisture % by weight are given. Consider 100 lb of the average solid waste stream. Determine
the pounds of moisture in each component (% by weight of component = lb of component times
the moisture % by weight). Sum the total weight of moisture and divide by the 100 lb of the
average solid waste. Calculations are shown in the table below.
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Sum of the moisture -21.42 lb; 21.42 lb moisture/100lb waste = 21.42% moisture by weight.
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Component % Moisture Content Column 1x Column 2
8 0.65 5.2
39 0.07 2.73
6 0.06 0.36
5 0.025 1.125
2.5 0.105 0.265
1 0.025 0.025
0.3 0.1 0.03
20.5 0.55 11.275
3 0.275 1.825
6 0.025 0.15
5.7 0.03 0.171
3 0.09 0.27

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (D)

Q. 6
A retaining wall is constructed by pouring concrete between temporary wood forms. The
concrete is at 70F, has a setting time of 1 hr, and is placed at the rate of 2 ft (vertical) per
hour. The wall sheathing is constructed of 1-in x 6-in (nominal) boards, wales, and studs. in
diameter threaded-steel (yield strength = 36 kips/in2) tie rods (tie backs) are used to connect the
wales between the two walls. The wales are spaced 2 ft 6 in apart vertically. The following
characteristics can be used for all lumber:
E 1.6x106 lbf/in 2
Fb 1700 lbf/in 2
Fv 100 lbf/in 2
Fc 1200 lbf/in 2
If the studs are spaced every 2 ft, the tie capacity, in lbf is most nearly:
(A) 2000
(B) 3000
(C) 4000
(D) 5000

Solution
Assume that the allowable tensile stress in the ties is 0.6 Fy
Tie capacity = 0.6FyAtie
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
2
lbf 0.5in
(0.6)
36, 000 2
in 2
= 4241.1 lbf
THE CORRECT ANSWER (C)

Q. 7
A police officer used his radar detector to monitor a stream of vehicles. He recorded the
following point speeds:

47, 49, 51, 48, 50, 52, 46, 49, 53, 52, 53, 48, 52, 51, 48

Given the distance headway is 131.58 ft and the optimal mean speed is 55 miles per hour, the
capacity of the road, in vehicles per hour, is most nearly:
(A) 1990
(B) 2000
(C) 2010
(D) 2020

Solution
The number of observations, N = 15
(u ) 749
ut i 49.93mph
N 15
N 15
us 49.84mph
(1/ ui ) 0.300976

1 1 1
k 40vehicles / mile
hd 131.58 / 5280 0.02492

q us * k 49.84* 40.128 2000vehicles / hour

u f 2* u0 2*55 110mph

uf *k 110 * 40.128
us u f 49.84 110
kj kj

k j 73.37vehicles / mile

u k 110*73.37
qmax f j 2017.675vehicles / hour
4 4

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (D)

 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 8
A concrete pipe has to be designed to drain an unfinished concrete parking lot of 5 acres. The
pea kf l
owr atef ora5y earr eturnpe riodi s28c ubi cfee tpe rsecond.I ft heMa nni ng scoe ffic
ient
for the pipe is 0.015, the pipe length is 1,000 feet, and the slope is 0.02 feet per foot run, the
diameter of pipe, in inches, is most nearly:

(A) 18
(B) 24
(C) 30
(D) 36

Solution
Note: Standard diameters in United States starts at 12 inch and increase in 6-inch increments to
60 inch, then continues to increase in 12-inch increments.
Q = Peak flow rate
n = Manning coefficient
A = Cross sectional area (D2/4)
rH= Hydraulic radius = A/P
P = wetted perimeter
S = Bottom slope
Assuming the pipe runs full,
A = D2/4
P = D
rH = A / P = (D2/4) / D = D/4
1.49
Q
2/3
A(rH ( S )1/ 2
n
28= (1.49/0.015)(D2/4)(D/4)2/3(0.02)1/2
D = 2.0 ft
So, a 24 in. pipe is required.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (B)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 9

A 2,000 foot long rectangular channel carries 500 cfs and has a 10-foot wide bottom. The water
cross-section is 50 ft2 a ndt heMa nni
ng sroughness coefficient is 0.012. The energy loss due to
friction, in feet, for the section is most nearly:
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4

Solution
Us i
ngMa nning sequa ti
on,s ol vef ors lopea
ndt
henus
ethes
lope
-length relationship to
determine the energy loss due to friction.
Area = wd = 50 ft2
d = A/w = 50 / 10 = 5 ft
v = Q/A = 500 / 50 = 10 ft /s

Ma
nni
ng
sequa
tion:Q 1.49 rH 2 / 3 S 1/ 2 A
n
1.49(rH )1/ 2 s1/ 2
v
n
Solving for the wetted perimeter, rH
w* d 10*5 50
rH 2.5
w 2 * d 10 2 *5 20
solve for S
v*n 10 *0.012
S 1/ 2 2/3
2/3
4.37 x102
1.49(rH ) 1.49* (2.5)
S = 0.0019
h f SL 0.0019* 2000 ft 3.8 ft

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (D)

 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 10
The mechanical and plasticity tests of a soil sample are shown below:
Mechanical Analysis Plasticity
Sieve % finer Liquid Limit Plasticity Index
10 84 19 4
40 51
200 21
According to the AASHTO classification system, the classification is most nearly:
(A) A-2-4
(B) A-7-5
(C) A-1-b
(D) A-3

Solution
Refer to the Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and methods of Sampling and
Testing, 16th edition, Washington D.C.: The American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials copyright 1993.
Note, this classification table is reproduced in most geotechnical textbooks. You will find it
t
ypica llyt i
tleda s TheAASHTOSoi lClass i
fica
tionSy st
em .
The AASHTO Soil Classification system has two components:

1. Group Classification
2. Group Index
The selection of the Group Classification is by a process of elimination. The identification of the
Group Index is through the application of the Group Index empirical formula:
GI = (F200 35)[0.2 + 0.005(LL 40)] + 0.01(F20015)(PI 10)
Where GI = Group Index
F200 = % soil passing the # 200 (0.075mm) sieve
LL & PI are the Liquid Limit and Plasticity Indices expressed as integers.
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Group Classification
Less than 35% passes # 200 sieve:
Group Elimination
A-1-a
A-1-b
A-2-4
A-2-5
A-2-6
A-3
A-4 x
A-5 x
A-6 x
A-7-5 x
A-7-6 x

% passing sieve #200 > 15:

Group Elimination
A-1-a x
A-1-b
A-2-4
A-2-5
A-2-6
A-3 x
% passing sieve #40 > 50:
Group Elimination
A-1-b x
A-2-4
A-2-5
A-2-6
Liquid Limit < 41:
Group Elimination
A-2-4
A-2-5 x
A-2-6
Liquid Limit > 11:
Group Elimination
A-2-4
A-2-6 x
Therefore, soil can be classified as A-2-4
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Group Index
GI = (F20035)[0.2 + 0.005(LL 40)] + 0.01(F20015)(PI 10)
GI = (21-35)[0.2 + 0.005(19 40)] + 0.01(21 15)(4 10)
GI = -1.69
i.e. GI = 0
The soil can be classified as A-2-4(0)
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A)

Q. 11
A steel beam supports a 6 in lightweight concrete masonry (CMU) wall around a mechanical
room. The CMU has a unit weight, , of 85 lbf/ft3. If the wall is 8 ft high and 10 ft long, the
load on the beam is most nearly
(A) 340 lbf/ft
(B) 680 lbf/ft
(C) 3400 lbf/ft
(D) 4100 lbf/ft
Solution:
Hint: The load on the beam is uniformly distributed.
The load on t he beam, w, is the weight of the wall per foot.
w ht
lbf
8 ft 6 in
1 ft
85 3
ft
12 in
340 lbf/ft
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(B) This incorrect solution results from failing to multiply by the wall width.
(C) This incorrect solution is a result of calculating the total load rather than the load per foot.
(D) This incorrect solution fails to perform the conversion from inches to feet.
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 12
A pump in the figure below is to deliver water through the existing system indicated in the
figure.

Which of the following will reduce the tendency for pump cavitations?
I. Increasing the discharge pipe diameter.
II. Lowering the pump elevation.
III. Increasing the suction diameter.
(A) II and III only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only
(D) I, II and III

Solution
Determine which statement will reduce the tendency for pump cavitaton.
II. Lowering the pump elevation.
III. Increasing the suction diameter.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 13
Lightweight concrete (100 lbf/ft3) is used for the one-way slab shown.
compressive strength of concrete 3000 lbf/in2
yield stress of reinforcement steel 60,000 lbf/in2

15 ft 12 ft

A B C D E

12 in, typ

What is the minimum thickness for slab AB?

(A) 7.5 in
(B) 8.0 in
(C) 8.6 in
(D) 10 in
Solution
Hint: Minimum thicknesses of one-way slabs not supporting partitions or other elements likely o be damaged by
deflection can be determined using ACI 318 Table 9.5 (a).
From ACI 318 Table 9.5(a), determine the minimum thickness, h, for a solid one-way slab with
one end continuous.
l
h
24
l is the span length in inches
in
l (15 ft)
12 180 in
ft
180 in
h 7.5 in
24
For lightweight concrete the footnotes to the table indicate that the tabulated value must be
modified.
h (1.65 0.005wc )h
From ACI 318 Table 9.5(a), wc is 100. Therefore,
h (1.65 (0.005)(100))(7.5 in)
= 8.6 in
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (C)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A) This incorrect solution neglects to adjust the tabulated value for lightweight concrete. From
ACI 318 Table 9.5(a), determine the minimum thickness, h, for a solid one-way slab with one
end continuous.
(B) This incorrect solution uses the clear span for l instead of the center-to-center span. The
clear span can only by used for slab spans no more than 10 ft.
(D) This incorrect solution results from assuming that the slab is simply supported when
selecting the thickness equation from ACI 318 Table 9.5 (a).
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions

Q. 14
A conventional activated sludge plant treats 2.0 MGD as shown in the figure below. The raw
wastewater contains 250 mg/L suspended solids. The mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) is
2,500 mg/L. The recycled sludge flow is 800,000 gpd containing 8,000 mg/L suspended solids.
Suspended solids removal efficiency of the primary clarifier is 50%, and the primary sludge
contains 4% suspended solids. Effluent solids content = 25 mg/L.
The primary sludge and waste sludge flow rates (gpd) are, respectively, most nearly:
(A) 6,200 and 6,900
(B) 8,900 and 69,000
(C) 6,200 and 69,000
(D) 6,200 and 620,000

PRIMARY SECONDARY
RAW SEWAGE EFFLUENT
CLARIFIER CLARIFIER
AERATION TANK

RECYCLED SLUDGE

PRIMARY WASTE
SLUDGE SLUDGE

ACTIVATED SLUDGE PLANT - SCHEMATIC

Solution
Solids in primary sludge (250x2x8.34)50% 2, 085 lb / day
100
Specific gravity of primary sludge 1.01
4 96

1.32 1.0
2,085
Volume of primary sludge = 6, 200 gpd
0.04x1.01x8.34
Let secondary waste sludge flow = Qw
X (Q Qr ) (Qr Qw ) /" X r (Q Qw ) Se

[2,500x(2 0.8)] [(2 Qw )x25] [(0.8 Qw )x8, 000]

Qw 69, 000 gpd

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (C)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 15
A dam of length 120 feet is constructed of an impermeable soil. The dam overlays a sand bed of
thickness 6feet 6 inches as shown below. The permeability of the sand bed has been measured
and found to be 9.5 feet per day.

The mean discharge in gallons per minute is most nearly:

(A) 7.5
(B) 9.62
(C) 10.5
(D) 11.0
Solution
Da
rcy
sLa
wst
ate
s that the permeability of a soil is given by:
k=q/iA
where,
q = discharge
i = hydraulic gradient
A = cross sectional area
i = (945 905)/160 = 0.250
A = (6.5) x (120) = 780 square feet
q = kiA = (9.5) x (0.250) x (780) = 1852.5 cubic feet per day
q =(1852.5) x (7.48) gallons per day = 13,856.7 gallons per day
q =(13,856.7) / 1440 gallons per minute
q = 9.62 gallons per minute
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS: (B)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 16
A field technician submits the results of a sand cone test for review. Prior to the test, the
laboratory determined the unit weight of the dry test sand to be 84.7 lbf/ft3. The soil obtained
from the test hole was weighed at 3.65 lbf and had a moisture content at 17.3%. The initial
weight of the sand cone apparatus filled with suitable test sand was 13.36 lbf, and the final
weight after the sand filled the test hole was 11.13 lbf. Assuming the field moisture content is
within the acceptable specification range for optimum moisture content, what is the in-place
percent compaction if the laboratory Proctor test results in a maximum dry density of 122.3
lbf/ft3?

(A) 97%
(B) 104%
(C) 114%
(D) 133%
Hint: Determine the volume of the test hole by using the unit weight properties of the test sand.
Solution
The unit weight of the test sand can be used to determine the volume of the test hole in the field.
The weight of dry soil obtained from the test hole can be divided by the volume of the test hole
to determine the in-place dry unit weight.
Determine the quantity of test sand needed, by weight, to fill the hole.
Wtest sand Winitial _ Wfinal
= 13.36 lbf -11.13 lbf
= 2.23 lbf
Determine the volume of the test hole using phase relationships.
Wtest sand 2.23 lbf
Vtest hole =
test sand 84.7 lbf
ft 3
= 0.0263 ft3
The weight of dry soil obtained from the test hole can be calculated using the relationship
W 3.65 lbf
Wfill soil, dry fill soil, moist
1+w 1 0.173
= 3.11 lbf
The in-place dry unit weight can be calculated by dividing the weight of dry soil obtained from
the test hole by the volume of the test hole.
W 3.11 lbf
fill soil, dry fill soil, dry
Vtest hole 0.0263 ft 3
= 118.3 lbf/ft3
The in-place percent compaction is
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
lbf
fill soil, dry 118.3 3
100% ft 100%
dry, max lbf
122.3 3
ft
= 96.7% (97%)
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(B) This incorrect solution is obtained by dividing the maximum Proctor dry unit weight by
the dry unit weight of the fill soil and multiplying by 100. The result is the reciprocal of
the correct answer.
(C) This solution is incorrect because the total weight of the fill soil is not converted to a dry
weight. The incorrect value is then divided by the test hole volume to obtain a greater
than correct unit weight and subsequent incorrect answer for percent compaction.
(D) This incorrect solution is obtained when the total weight of the fill soil is incorrectly
converted to a dry weight (multiplying by 1 + w rather than dividing by it). The result is
much greater than the correct answer.
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 17
An aerial survey is to be flown over a region that varies in elevation from 750 feet to 1,250 feet.
If the camera has a focal length 6.5 inches, and a scale of 1:25,000, the aircraft should be flown
at a height, in feet, that is most nearly:

(A) 5,000
(B) 10,000
(C) 12,500
(D) 15,000

Solution

The relationship governing aerial photogrammetry that is required is given by:

f
S
H h

where S = photographic scale

f = camera focal length (feet)

H = aircraft height (feet)

h = average elevation of terrain (feet)

given S = 1/25,000

f =6.
5=0.
542

H = required

h =(
750+1,
250)
/2=1,
000

substituting, H = 14,541.7 ft
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 18
An intersection with five entry points has witnessed a number of motor vehicle collisions. In
2002, the number of crashes reported was 48, and the average 24-hour volumes entering the
intersection from its five approaches were 900, 1,230, 1,560, 1,435, and 980 vehicles,
respectively. Theintersectionsc r
a shrateismos tnearly:

(A) 0.0079 crashes per vehicle

(B) 48 crashes per year
(C) 21.51 crashes per million entering vehicles
(D) 7.86 crashes per million entering vehicles
(E) 2.87 crashes per million entering vehicles

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A)

 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions

Q. 19
What is the volatile suspended solids concentration of the following wastewater sample?
sample volume filtered (VF) 200 mL
sample volume evaporated (VD) 100 mL
mass of dried crucible and filter paper (MS) 25.439 g
mass of dry evaporation dish (MD) 275.41 g
mass of dried crucible, filter paper, and solids (MSS) 25.645 g
mass of dried evaporation dish and solids (MDS) 276.227 g
mass of ignited crucible, filter paper and solids (MSI) 25.501 g
mass of ignited evaporation dish and solids (MDI) 276.201 g

(A) 260 mg/L

(B) 310 mg/L
(C) 720 mg/L
(D) 1000 mg/L
Hint: Find the solids that were ignited, not the ash that remains

Solution:

MSS MSI
VSS
VF

25.645 g 25.501 g 106 mLmg


200 mL L
g
= 720 mg/L

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (C)

Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A) This incorrect solution calculates the volatile total dissolved solids (volatile TDS).
276.227 g-276.201 g 106 mL mg
260 mg/L
100 mL L g
(B) This incorrect solution calculates the nonvolatile (fixed) solids.
25.501 g-25.439 g 106 mL mg
310 mg/L
200 mL L g
(D) This incorrect solution calculates the total suspended solids (TSS).
25.645 g 25.439 g 106 mL mg

200 mL L g
1030 mg/L
1000 mg/L
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Q. 20
Given the phase diagram shown, what is most nearly the porosity?

(A) 0.42%
(B) 3.3%
(C) 9.1%
(D) 30%
Hint: Start by determining the weight of water using the water content and weight of solids.
Solution
The porosity can be defined using the void ratio and is usually expressed as a percentage.
e
n 100%
e 1
By assuming a unit value for the total volume, an equation for the void ratio can be simplified to
determine the porosity.

Vt w s
V SG w 1 s 1
e t w 1
Ws Ws d
The dry unit weight can be determined based on the total unit weight and the moisture content.
lbf
127.0 3
ft
d t 115.5lbf / ft 3
1 w 1 0.1
The void ratio can be determined.
lbf
165.4 3
ft
e 1 0.43
lbf
115.5 3
ft
The porosity can be determined.
0.43
n 100% 30%
0.43 1
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (D)
 Practice Exam 2
AM (B)
Solutions
Why Other Options Are Wrong
(A) This solution is incorrect because it is actually the void ratio expressed as a percentage.
(B) This incorrect solution is the reciprocal of the porosity without converting the number to
a percentage. A common error is caused by a failure to understand the equation and the
reciprocal.
(C) This solution makes the common mistake of dividing the weight of solids by the total
unit weight rather than by the solids unit weight to determine the volume of solids. This
results in a value that is greater than the correct value.