Chapter 2 of 86% of exam

Structural Principles

Structural Principles is about 6% of the exam: constructing structures, seismic requirements and basic engineering. The questions test whether you build a structure the way its design assumes, including its temporary supports and seismic details. The PrepPass CSLB General Engineering (A) Study Guide covers this section in depth, with worked examples, named traps and a chapter quiz.

Loads and materials

Construction loads include dead load, live load and horizontal load. Concrete is strong in compression and weak in tension, so reinforcing steel is placed where members are stretched.

Concrete weight

Caltrans customarily uses 150 pcf for normal concrete when computing falsework dead load.

Caltrans Falsework Manual, Ch. 3

Minimum design load

Formwork and shoring are designed for at least 100 psf of combined dead and live load.

Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717

Horizontal load

Falsework bracing resists at least 2% of the supported weight horizontally.

Caltrans Falsework Manual, Ch. 3

Seismic concepts

California structures are detailed for earthquakes. The details on the drawings — anchorage, continuous reinforcement, confinement — are what make the load path and ductility work.

Load path

A series of connected elements that deliver loads to the foundation.

FEMA P-749

Liquefaction

Occurs only in saturated, loose, granular soils; buried structures can float.

FEMA P-749

Soft story

A story much weaker and less stiff than those above is a seismic irregularity.

FEMA P-749

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