BiH Engineering & Architecture Licensure Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chamber licence requirement

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, engineers and architects must hold an entity chamber licence to sign designs or supervise works. Practicing unlicensed is a punishable misdemeanour under entity construction laws.

Conflict of interest rule

A licensed professional may not review, certify, or approve work in which they, their employer, or a close associate holds a financial interest. Disclosure and withdrawal are required.

Professional liability insurance

Designers and supervisors carry liability for defects arising from their professional error. Insurance covers such claims and is often a condition for public procurement participation and chamber practice.

Design resistance formula

Eurocode design resistance is R_d = R_k/γ_M, where R_k is the characteristic resistance and γ_M the material partial factor. The ultimate limit state requires the design effect E_d ≤ R_d.

Degree of static indeterminacy

For a plane frame, the degree of indeterminacy equals (3m + r) − (3j + c), where m is members, r reactions, j joints, and c released conditions. A zero result means the structure is statically determinate.

Second-order effects threshold

Global second-order (P-Δ) effects may be neglected only when the elastic critical load factor α_cr is at least 10. Below that threshold, amplified or full second-order analysis is required.

Seismic behaviour factor q

The behaviour factor q reduces elastic seismic forces to account for ductile energy dissipation. Higher q assumes greater ductility, and capacity design then enforces a ductile failure hierarchy.

Terzaghi bearing capacity equation

Drained ultimate bearing capacity is q_ult = c'·N_c + q'·N_q + 0.5·γ'·B·N_γ. Bearing capacity factors depend on the friction angle; undrained clay uses N_c about 5.14.

Effective stress principle

Effective stress equals total stress minus pore water pressure: σ' = σ − u. Strength and stiffness parameters c', φ', and E' are expressed in effective terms for drained soil conditions.

Consolidation settlement formula

For normally consolidated clay, one-dimensional settlement is S = C_c/(1+e_0)·H·log10((σ'_0+Δσ)/σ'_0). C_c is the compression index, H the layer thickness, and σ'_0 the initial effective stress.

Liquefaction susceptibility screening

Saturated loose sands below the water table with corrected blow counts (N1)60 below roughly 15–20 and groundwater shallower than about 10 m are potentially liquefiable under strong earthquake shaking.

Concrete cylinder-cube strength relation

Characteristic cylinder strength is approximately 0.8 times characteristic cube strength: f_ck,cyl ≈ 0.8·f_ck,cube. Design strength is f_cd = α_cc·f_ck/γ_C with γ_C about 1.5.

Proctor compaction acceptance

The Proctor test gives maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Field compaction is accepted when measured dry density reaches typically 95–98 percent of the Proctor maximum at controlled moisture.

Rebar tensile test outputs

A reinforcing steel tensile test yields the yield strength R_eH, the tensile strength R_m, and elongation at maximum force A. These values must meet the declared class, for example B500B.

Concrete conformity testing

Concrete strength conformity per EN 206 is assessed on groups of cube or cylinder results using characteristic strength criteria and a minimum individual result, not on a single specimen alone.

Thermal transmittance U-value

Thermal transmittance is U = 1/R_total, where R_total sums layer resistances d/λ plus surface resistances. Lower U means better insulation; national rules set maximum U-values per element.

Glaser interstitial condensation check

The Glaser method compares vapour pressure with saturation pressure across each layer of an assembly. If vapour pressure exceeds saturation, interstitial condensation occurs; a warm-side vapour barrier is the usual remedy.

Ventilation heat loss formula

Ventilation heat loss is Q_v = ρ·c_p·V̇·ΔT, where V̇ is airflow rate and ΔT the indoor-outdoor temperature difference. Mechanical heat recovery reduces the effective loss substantially.

Energy performance certificate classes

An energy performance certificate rates a building from A (best) to G (worst) using primary energy and CO2 indicators. Nearly zero-energy building targets apply to new construction.

Floor area ratio

Floor area ratio equals total gross floor area divided by plot area. Together with the built-up area coefficient and height limits, it controls development intensity under the urbanistic plan.

Accessibility ramp slope limit

Accessible ramps are limited to about 1:20 slope, with steeper 1:12 permitted only for short runs. Landings, handrails, tactile guidance, and minimum clear widths are also required.

Spatial plan hierarchy in BiH

Planning documents run from state and entity spatial plans through cantonal and municipal spatial plans to detailed urbanistic (regulatory) plans. Each lower level must conform to the higher-level plan.

Total float in CPM

Total float equals latest start minus earliest start, or latest finish minus earliest finish. Activities with zero total float lie on the critical path and determine project duration.

Earned value indices

Cost performance index is EV/AC and schedule performance index is EV/PV. A value below 1.0 signals cost overrun or schedule slippage respectively; above 1.0 indicates favourable performance.

Inspection and test plan

An inspection and test plan defines hold points, witness points, and records for each construction activity. Non-conformities are logged and must be closed before handover.

Horizontal curve radius formula

Minimum horizontal curve radius is R = V²/(127·(e + f)), where V is design speed in km/h, e the superelevation, and f the side friction factor. Vertical curves rely on stopping sight distance.

Rational method runoff

For small catchments, peak runoff is Q = C·i·A, where C is the runoff coefficient, i rainfall intensity, and A catchment area. Urban drainage design return periods are typically 2–10 years.

Self-cleansing sewer velocity

Wastewater sewers should reach about 0.6–1.0 m/s at minimum flow to avoid solids deposition, while avoiding excessive scour at peak flow. Design flow adds peak factor and infiltration to dry-weather flow.

Hierarchy of safety controls

Risk controls are applied in order: eliminate the hazard, substitute, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment as the last line of defence.

Excavation shoring threshold

Excavations deeper than about 1.5 m require shoring, battering, or another engineered support. Daily inspection, edge protection, and keeping spoil back from the edge are mandatory.

Passive and active fire protection

Passive measures include compartmentation, fire doors, and protected escape routes; active measures include detection, sprinklers, and hydrants. Structural fire resistance is rated in minutes such as R 60.

Environmental impact assessment trigger

Major projects require EIA screening and, where applicable, a full environmental impact assessment with public consultation before approval. Mitigation measures become binding permit conditions.