Free PE Civil Construction Practice Problems with Step-by-Step Solutions

If you’re preparing for the PE Civil Construction Exam, you already know it’s a major step in your engineering career. One of the most effective ways to boost your confidence and sharpen your problem-solving skills is by working through realistic, exam-style practice problems. Why practice problems? Because they push you to actively engage with the material, understand the underlying concepts, and identify exactly where you need improvement. The PE exam requires you to think critically under time pressure, so simulated practice is key. Below are two sample problems with full solutions at the bottom of the page to help you practice.

Sample Problem 1

A vertical form must be set in order to place concrete for a 10 ft tall wall. The unit weight of concrete is 150 pcf and the rate of placement is anticipated to be 4 ft/hr. A Type I cement without retarders has been specified per the mix design. Per ACI, what is the maximum lateral concrete pressure that will be exerted on the form, assuming the concrete temperature will be 75°F?

A. 540 psf

B. 570 psf

C. 600 psf

D. 630 psf

Sample Problem 2

A levee construction project requires 3 × 10⁶ yd³ of compacted clay fill with a final void ratio of 0.75. The supplier provides loose fill with a void ratio of 0.85. How many cubic yards of fill must be purchased from the supplier to achieve the required compacted volume?

A. 3.09 × 10⁶ yd³

B. 3.17 × 10⁶ yd³

C. 3.33 × 10⁶ yd³

D. 3.51 × 10⁶ yd³

Sample Problem 3

A project requires excavation and removal of approximately 1,000 cubic yards of cohesive soil from a confined urban site. The excavation must occur over a short period with limited space for equipment movement and minimal disruption to adjacent traffic. Based on these constraints, which equipment combination is most appropriate for this operation?

A. Crawler-mounted hydraulic excavator and off-road articulated dump trucks

B. Large dozer with ripper attachment and tracked loaders

C. Tracked backhoe and tandem-axle dump trucks

D. Wheel loader and scrapers

Why practice problems are crucial for PE success

The PE exam allows access to a Reference Handbook and design standards during the test. But don’t let that fool you—success still depends on how well you understand and can apply those references quickly. By working through practice problems with detailed solutions, you’ll develop strategies for efficient problem-solving and effective reference use, both critical for the exam.

To further help you prepare, StrataWay offers a Civil PE Construction Sample Exam, which features 80 exam-style problems with step-by-step solutions.

Solution to Sample Problem 1

Correct answer is D.

Refer to ACI 347 – Guide to Formwork for Concrete.

Table 2.1 indicates that for concrete having a unit weight of 140 to 150 pcf, C_w is 1.0. Table 2.2 indicates that for Type I cement without retarders, C_c is 1.0.

Per ACI, for walls with a rate of placement of less than 7 ft/hr and a placement height not exceeding 14 ft:

p_max = C_wC_c(150 + 9000R/T)

p_max = 1.0(1.0)[150 + (9000 × 4)/75]

p_max = 630 psf

Solution to Sample Problem 2

Correct answer is B.

Calculate the volume of solids in the compacted fill:

V_s = V/(1 + e_f)

V_s = 3 × 10⁶ yd³/(1 + 0.75)

V_s = 1.71 × 10⁶ yd³

Calculate the supplier loose volume:

V_loose = V_s × (1 + e_s)

V_loose = 1.71 × 10⁶ yd³ × (1 + 0.85)

V_loose = 3.17× 10⁶ yd³

Solution to Sample Problem 3

Correct answer is C.

A is incorrect. While a crawler excavator is suitable for digging cohesive soils, articulated dump trucks are large and require significant turning space, which is not ideal for a confined urban site.

B is incorrect. A dozer and tracked loader may be effective for site clearing or stockpiling, but not for precision excavation or rapid removal of large volumes of soil under tight schedule and space constraints.

C is correct. A tracked backhoe (excavator) offers precision in tight areas, and tandem-axle dump trucks are compact and legal for road use, making them appropriate for hauling material off-site in an urban setting. This combination balances efficiency with maneuverability and minimal disruption.

D is incorrect. Scrapers are productive in open areas with long, unobstructed haul routes and firm ground, but they are not well-suited for cohesive soil in tight, urban conditions with traffic constraints.