PE Civil: Structural study guide
PE Civil: Structural · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The PE Civil: Structural exam is one of the NCEES Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations. NCEES describes the PE exam as testing "for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline," and it is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in their chosen discipline. NCEES offers more than 20 different PE exams, and Civil: Structural is the structural-discipline option within the civil group. The exam is computer-based and is administered at NCEES-approved test centers; examinees register and schedule appointments through their MyNCEES accounts, and they can browse available dates at other approved test centers if the initial choices do not suit them. The PE Civil: Structural study guide has 5 sections and about 1,515 words.
01Project Planning, Means and Methods
Project planning questions test whether you can turn a scope into an executable, controllable plan. Know the work breakdown structure (WBS), the difference between a milestone and an activity, and how the critical path method (CPM) produces total float and free float.
555 words, about 3 min02Structural Mechanics and Analysis
Mechanics and analysis questions test free-body diagrams, reactions, determinacy and stability, shear and moment diagrams, axial-force diagrams, truss analysis by joints and sections, influence lines, deflections by virtual work or moment-area, and stiffness versus flexibility. Know superposition, compatibility, and approximate analysis.
235 words, about 1 min03Materials and Material Behavior
Material questions test how each material behaves and how its properties enter design. For concrete, know mixture proportioning, water-cement ratio, admixtures, curing, compressive strength f'c, tensile weakness, modulus Ec, creep, and shrinkage.
230 words, about 1 min04Structural Components and Connections
Component questions test flexure, shear, axial compression and buckling, combined loading, development length, splices, bearing, bolts, welds, anchors, and connection limit states. For bolts, know shear, tension, bearing, and slip-critical behavior, plus thread condition.
240 words, about 1 min05Structural Systems and Design
System-level questions test how gravity and lateral loads travel from cladding and floors to diaphragms, collectors, the lateral-force-resisting system, and the foundation. Know shear walls, braced frames, moment frames, dual systems, and diaphragms.
255 words, about 1 min