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

If you’re preparing for the PE Civil Geotechnical 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 square footing is constructed and will support a column load. The net uniform applied stress at the foundation depth is 0.75 tsf. The effective in situ overburden stress at the foundation depth is 0.1625 tsf. After the strain influence diagram was drawn, the data below was obtained. Using Schmertmann’s Modified Method, determine the settlement at the end of construction.

Layer	Hc (inches)	XE (tsf)	Iz
1	24	125	0.07
2	36	300	0.05
3	48	800	0.02

A. 0.01 inch

B. 1.05 inch

C. 0.10 inch

D. 0.15 inch

Sample Problem 2

A 10 ft by 10 ft square footing has a uniform load of 2,500 psf. Using Boussinesq theory, calculate the induced vertical stress at a depth of 10 ft below the center of the footing.

A. 778 psf

B. 978 psf

C. 875 psf

D. 775 psf

Sample Problem 3

Choose the statement that best captures the intent behind low-strain dynamic testing in foundation analysis.

A. To estimate the ultimate load capacity of the foundation

B. To detect structural defects such as cracks, necking, or inclusions in the pile shaft

C. To measure the thermal profile of curing concrete

D. To evaluate the lateral load resistance of the foundation

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 Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering for the Civil PE Exam, a Review Manual that covers the essential concepts, equations, and figures required for the exam, including over 200 sample problems with step by step solutions.

Solution to Sample Problem 1

Answer: A

Calculate ∆H_i (∆H_i = H_c(I_z/XE) for each soil layer:

∆H_i (Layer 1) = (24 inches × 0.07)/(125 tsf) = 0.013 in/tsf

∆H_i (Layer 2) = (36 inches × 0.05)/(300 tsf) = 0.006 in/tsf

∆H_i (Layer 3) = (48 inches × 0.02)/(800 tsf) = 0.001 in/tsf

The sum from all the layers is 0.02 in/tsf

Calculate the C₁ correction factor:

C₁ = 1 - 0.5(p_o/∆p)

C₁ = 1 - 0.5(0.1625 tsf/0.75 tsf)

C₁ = 0.89

Calculate the C₂ correction factor:

For immediate settlement calculations, t = 0.1 year.

C₂ = 1 + 0.2log₁₀[t(years)/0.1)]

C₂ = 1 + 0.2log₁₀[0.1/0.1)]

C₂ = 1

Calculate the settlement at the end of construction:

s_i = C₁C₂∆p∑H_i

s_i = 0.89 × 1 × 0.75 tsf × 0.02 in/tsf

s_i = 0.013 inch

Solution to Sample Problem 2

Answer: C

Reference Figure 4-4 from UFC 3-220-10 Soil Mechanics (DM 7.1) February 1, 2022, Change March 11, 2025. The z/B ratio is 10 ft/10 ft = 1. Based on the figure, a z/B value of 1 corresponds to an influence factor, I, of about 0.35 below the center of the footing.

Calculate the induced vertical stress:

∆σ_z = I(q)

∆σ_z = 0.35(2,500 psf)

∆σ_z = 875 psf

Solution to Sample Problem 3

Answer: B

A is incorrect. Estimating ultimate load capacity requires high-strain dynamic testing or static load testing, which involve applying larger forces and measuring pile response under load.

B is correct. Low-strain dynamic testing uses small impact-generated stress waves and analyzes their reflections to identify structural defects like cracks or changes in cross-sectional area along the pile.

C is incorrect. Thermal integrity profiling is a separate testing method that monitors temperature changes during concrete curing to assess quality and uniformity.

D is incorrect. Lateral load resistance is evaluated through specialized lateral load tests or analyses, not by low-strain dynamic testing.