JANUARY 1998 BOARD EXAMINATION 1

Structural Design
INSTRUCTION: Select the correct answer for each of the following questions. Mark only one
answer for each item by marking the box corresponding to the letter of your choice on the
answer sheet provided. STRICTLY NO ERASURES ALLOWED. Use pencil no. 1 only.

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

1. A 1000 mm x 25 mm nominal diameter deformed steel bar is subjected to test. The following
results were obtained:
Actual length is 999mm; actual diameter is 23.5 mm; actual weight is 3.90 kg; yield force =
22,099.13 kgs.; yield stress = 45.02 kg/sq. mm; ultimate force = 31,425.74 kgs.; ultimate stress
= 64.02 kg/sq. mm; actual strain = 12%.
Judge the quality of the steel bar as per PS standard 681-04.02:1975.
A.Nominal diameter of the steel bar, 23.5 mm, is less than the required diameter of 25 mm,
thus of poor quality.
B.The steel bar is an intermediate steel bar.
C.Steel bar results is less than the minimum standard of PS Grade 410 thus may be categorized
only as PS Grade 275.
D.Steel bar is PS Grade 410 and passes the minimum standard for PS Grade 410 thus of good
quality.

2. A brochure of a steel bar manufacturer claims the following specs: Yield strength = 275
MPa; tensile strength = 480 MPa. A sample of a 32 mm x 1000mm long steel bar was cut for
sampling with the following test results:
Yield stress = 28.54 kg/sq. mm; ultimate stress = 50.55 kg/sq. mm. Judge the actual test result
against what is claimed in the brochure and if the test results meet the minimum PS standards.
A.The test results surpass the claims on the brochure and surpass PS standards.
B.Test results is below the claims in the brochure but passes PS standards.
C.The test results are equal to the claim of the brochure.
D.Test results is below the claims on the brochure and below the PS standard.

3. What criterion conforms to good construction practice for the earliest time to remove
scaffolding for concrete flooring other than early-strength concrete if no anticipated load is
expected over poured floor?
A. 25% of scaffoldings can be removed at the slab area after 21 days of pouring and 100% of
scaffolds after 28 days
B. 50% of scaffoldings can be removed after 14 days of pouring and 100% of scaffolds after 21
days
C. 50% of scaffoldings can be removed over slab area after 28 days of pouring and 100% of
scaffolds after 36 days
D. 25% of scaffoldings can be removed at the slab area after 14 days of pouring and 100% of
scaffolds after 21 days

4. Which of the following concrete handling criterion impairs the quality of concrete? (NSCP
Sec. 5.5.10)
A. Re-tempering concrete shall not be used and discarded by approved means
B. Concrete shall be carried on at such a rate that concrete is at all times plastic and flows
readily into spaces between reinforcements
C. Concrete that has initially set shall be mixed with new concrete and shall be deposited in the
structure with approved means
D. Top surfaces of vertically formed lifts shall be generally level.

5. Aggregates should conform to PNS or ASTM standards and must be well-graded for easy
workability and method of consolidation are such that the concrete can be poured without
honeycomb or voids. What is the nominal maximum size of a coarse aggregate when working
spaces between reinforcements for proper bonding? (NSCP Sec. 5.3.3)
A.Coarse aggregates shall be no larger than 1/2 the minimum clear spacing between individual
reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars or prestressing tendons or ducts.
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Structural Design
B.Coarse aggregates shall be no larger than 5/8 the minimum clear space between individual
reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars or prestressing tendons or ducts.
C.Coarse aggregates shall be no larger than 7/8 the minimum clear space between individual
reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars or prestressing tendons or ducts.
D.Coarse aggregates shall be no larger than 3/4 the minimum clear space between individual
reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars or prestressing tendons or ducts.

6. What is the minimum concrete cover for primary reinforcement of beams and columns not
exposed to earth or weather for precast concrete manufactured under plant control conditions?
(NSCP Sec. 5.7.7.2)
A. db but not less than 25mm
B. db but not less than 15mm and need not exceed 40mm
C. db but not less than 20mm and need not exceed 50mm
D. db but not less than 30mm
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Structural Design
7. How is a 90 degree bend standard hook for concrete reinforcement constructed? (NSCP Sec.
5.7.1.2)
A.90 degree bend plus 10 db extension, at free end of bar
B.90 degree bend plus 12 db extension, at free end of bar
C.90 degree bend plus 6 db extension, at free end of bar
D.90 degree bend plus 4 db extension, at free end of bar

8. Which is NOT among the following arrangement, a seismic requirement for transverse
reinforcement? (NSCP Sec. 5.21.9.4.2)
A.Maximum spacing of hoops shall not exceed 24 times the diameter of the hoop bars
B.Maximum spacing of hoops shall not be 8 times the diameter of the smallest longitudinal bars
C.Maximum spacing of hoops shall not be more than d/4.
D.The first hoop shall be located not more than 75mm from the face of the supporting member.

9. What is the minimum inside diameter of a standard hook for stirrups and ties for a 16m bar
and smaller in diameter? (NSCP Sec. 5.7.2.2)
A.8 db C.4 db
B.6 db D.10 db

10. Which of the following criteria for bundled bars do NOT apply?
A.Bars larger than 32mm shall not be bundled in beams.
B.Bundle bars shall be enclosed within stirrups or ties.
C.Group of parallel reinforcing bars bundled in contact to act as a unit shall be limited to three
in any one bundle.
D.Individual bars within a bundle terminated within the span of flexural members shall
terminate at different points with at least 40db staggered.

11. What is the minimum requirement for development of at least 1/3 of the total reinforcement
provided for negative moment reinforcement, as an embedded length beyond the point of
inflection? (NSCP Sec. 5.12.12.3)
A.Not less than the effective length of member of 12 db, or 1/16 of the clear span, whichever is
greater.
B.L/3 + d or 24 db, or 1/12th the clear span, whichever is greater
C.Not less than 1.5d or 14db, or 1/12th the clear span, whichever is greater
D.L/4 + d or 12 db, or 1/12th the clear span, whichever is greater

12. Which of the following criterion precludes good construction practice for conduits and pipes
embedded in concrete? (NSCP Sec. 5.6.3)
A.Conduits and pipes embedded in slab, the wall or beam shall not be larger in outside
dimension than 1/3 the overall thickness of slab, wall or beam in which they are embedded.
B.Reinforcement with an area not less than 0.002 times the area of cross section shall be
provided normal to piping.
C.Conduit and pipes, with their fittings, embedded within a column, shall not displace more
than 5% of the area of the cross section on which strength is calculated.
D.Concrete cover for pipes, conduits and fittings, shall not be less than 40mm for concrete
exposed to earth or weather.

13. What is a steel element such as wire, cable, bar, rod or strand or a bundle of such elements,
used to impart prestress to concrete? (NSCP Sec. 5.2.1)
A. prestress cables C. tenon cables
B. reinforcement D. tendons

14. As a seismic requirement for flexural members where hoops are required, how are the
remaining portions of a beam treated with transverse reinforcement as minimum requirement
other than those required with hoops? (NSCP Sec. 5.21.3.3.4)
A. Where hoops are not required, stirrups shall be spaced at no more than d/2 throughout the
length of the member.
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Structural Design
B. Where hoops are not required, cross ties shall be spaced at no more than d/3 throughout
the length of the member.
C. Where hoops are not required, hoops shall continue except that spacing shall not be more
than d/2.
D. Where hoops are not required, closed stirrups shall be spaced at no more than d/4
throughout the length of the member.

15. What is a material other than water, aggregate or hydraulic cement, used as an ingredient of
concrete and added to concrete before or during its mixture to modify its properties? (NSCP
Sec. 5.2.1)
A. admixture C. plasticizer
B. steam D. retarder

16. What is the act of excavating or filling of earth or any sound material or combination thereof,
in preparation for a finishing surface such as paving?
A. cut and fill C. site preparation
B. grading D. benching

17. What are piles placed at an inclination to resist forces that are not critical?
A.guide piles C.slope piles
B.batter piles D.fender piles

18. What is a concrete beam placed directly on the ground to provide foundation for the
superstructure?
A. strap beam C. grade beam
B. gerber beam D. tie beam

19. What is a method of analyzing indeterminate modular building frames by assuming hinges at
the center of beam spans and column heights?
A.cantilever method C.fee body diagram method
B.moment distribution method D.portal method

20. What is a round, steel bolt embedded in concrete or masonry used to hold down masonry,
steel columns, or beam casting, shock beam plates and engine heads?
A. retaining bolts C. anchor bolts
B. foundation bolts D. friction bolts

21. Good high-strength bolted connection for steel should have the following physical
characteristics for good workmanship. Which in the following list is NOT ideal? (NSCP Sec.
4.23.5)
A.High-strength bolted parts shall fit solidly together when assembled and shall not be
separated by gaskets or any other interposed compressive material.
B.Bolts tightened by means of a calibrated wrench shall be installed with a hardened washer
under the nut or bolt head whichever is the element turned in tightening.
C.When assembled, all joint surfaces, including those adjacent to the washer, shall be free of
scale, except tight ___, dirts, and burns.
D.Surface in contact with the bolt head and nut head shall have a slope of not more than 1:10
with respect to a plane normal to the bolt axis.

22. Which of the following criterion is NOT applicable for plug and slot welds?
A.The thickness of plug or slot welds in material 16mm or less in thickness shall be equal to the
thickness of the material.
B.The minimum center to center spacing in a longitudinal direction of any line shall be 2 times
the length of the slot.
C.The thickness of plug or slot welds in material over 16mm in thickness shall be at least 1/2
the thickness of the material but not less than 16mm.
D.The width of the slot shall not be less than the thickness of the parts containing it plus 10mm
JANUARY 1998 BOARD EXAMINATION 5
Structural Design
nor 2 1/4 times the thickness of the weld.

23. How is a camber treated in a steel truss 25 meters or longer?

A.Camber shall be approximately equal to 1% of the span.
B.Camber shall be approximately equal to the dead load deflection.
C.Camber shall be approximately equal to 0.8% of the span plus 1/3 the dead load deflection.
D.Camber shall be approximately equal to 0.5% of the span plus 1/3 the live load deflection.

24. Two M.S. plates are to be welded by end butt joint by a partial penetration groove weld. The
thickness of the plates are 16mm. What is the minimum effective throat thickness of the weld?
(NSCP Sec. 4.17.2, see Table 4.17.2B)
A. 6.0 mm C. 7.5 mm
B. 9.0 mm D. 12.0mm

25. The steel materials are to be butt-jointed using a fillet weld. The thicker material is 8.5 mm.
What is the minimum size of the filler weld? (NSCP Sec. 4.17.2, see Table 4.17.2A)
A.3.0 mm C.6.0 mm
B.7.5 mm D.4.5 mm

ANSWER KEY:
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. D
6. B
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. C
11. A
12. C
13. D
14. A
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. C
19. D
20. C
21. D
22. D
23. B
24. A
25. ?