CSLB Class A — General Engineering (Trade Exam) — All Questions
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33 questions
Falsework 10 feet high with 12-foot spans and no traffic through it. Who may sign the falsework plan?
- a.Only the building official
- b.No signature is required
- c.Only a registered civil engineer
- d.An engineer or qualified representative✓
Installations below the engineer thresholds may be signed by a California civil engineer, a manufacturer's authorized representative, or a qualified licensed contractor's representative.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
Butt-spliced wood shores are scabbed. How far past the joint must the scabs extend?
- a.At least 4 feet
- b.At least 6 inches
- c.At least 1 foot
- d.At least 2 feet✓
Scabs on butt-spliced wood shores extend at least two feet beyond the joint.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
When is the first set of perimeter guardrails installed during formwork erection?
- a.Only for decks over 36 feet high
- b.After all formwork is complete
- c.Immediately after supporting members are in place✓
- d.After the concrete is placed
The first set of protective guardrails goes in at the perimeter immediately after the supporting members are in place.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
What does Caltrans prohibit for holding forms in position?
- a.Form fasteners
- b.Twisted wire ties✓
- c.Wales
- d.Form oil
Form fasteners prevent spreading; twisted wire ties are not used to hold forms in position.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03C
What minimum size of chamfer strip does Caltrans require at sharp edges of exposed concrete?
- a.1/4 by 1/4 inch
- b.1/2 by 1/2 inch
- c.3/4 by 3/4 inch✓
- d.2 by 2 inches
Forms for exposed surfaces have triangular fillets at least 3/4 by 3/4 inch.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03C
What is done to forms and subgrade immediately before concrete is placed?
- a.Heat them
- b.Cover them with plastic
- c.Moisten them with water✓
- d.Dust them with cement
Caltrans requires thoroughly moistening forms and subgrade immediately before placing concrete.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D
A seal course is placed with a tremie. How thick must the seal course be at minimum?
- a.1 foot
- b.4 feet
- c.6 inches
- d.2 feet✓
The seal course must be at least 2 feet thick and thick enough to seal the cofferdam.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D
What is the nominal slump range for cast-in-place concrete piles in the Caltrans table?
- a.5 to 7 inches✓
- b.0 to 1 inch
- c.1 to 3 inches
- d.6 to 8 inches
The Caltrans table lists a nominal slump of 5 to 7 inches for CIP concrete piles.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 90-1.02G
During water curing, how close must the curing media stay to the concrete surface?
- a.Within 1 foot
- b.Within 3 inches✓
- c.Touching only at the edges
- d.Within 12 inches
Curing media are kept within 3 inches of the concrete at all points along the surface being cured.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 90-1.03B
What protects the head of a driven pile from the hammer?
- a.A steel shim plate only
- b.Wet sand on the pile head
- c.Nothing is required
- d.A cushion driving block✓
Caltrans requires protecting pile heads from direct impact with a cushion driving block.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C
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What equipment must be on standby during a CIDH pile pour under slurry?
- a.A spare tremie hopper only
- b.Standby concrete and slurry pumps✓
- c.A backup vibrator
- d.A second concrete supplier only
A fully operational standby concrete pump and slurry pump must be on site during concrete placement.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-3
Falsework stands 15 feet from sill top to soffit, with 12-foot spans and no traffic through it. Who must approve and sign its design calculations and drawings?
- a.A foreman on the crew with field experience
- b.The concrete supplier's driver on the day of the pour
- c.A civil engineer registered in California✓
- d.No signature, since the spans are under 16 feet
Falsework taller than 14 feet, with spans over 16 feet, or with traffic through it needs engineer-signed calculations; height over 14 feet is enough. Not "The concrete supplier's driver on the day of the pour": a driver has no design authority. Not "A foreman on the crew with field experience": foreman experience does not meet the registration requirement. Not "No signature, since the spans are under 16 feet": height over 14 feet alone triggers engineered design.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717(b)(1)
A 9-inch slab is placed with worker-propelled carts. Shores are on a 4-foot by 4-foot grid. Using section 1717 allowances and 150 pcf concrete, what load should each shore be designed for?
- a.2,120 pounds
- b.2,520 pounds
- c.2,280 pounds✓
- d.1,800 pounds
Dead load 112.5 + 20 live + 10 for worker-propelled carts = 142.5 psf; times 16 square feet is 2,280 pounds. Not "1,800 pounds": uses the concrete weight alone. Not "2,120 pounds": adds the live load but omits the cart allowance. Not "2,520 pounds": uses the 25 psf motorized cart figure instead of 10 psf.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717(a)(2)
Which three qualities must forms have under the Caltrans concrete structures specification?
- a.Waterproof, painted and reusable for further pours
- b.Smooth, oiled and left in place to protect the concrete
- c.Light, cheap and removable by hand for early stripping
- d.Mortar tight, true to dimensions, and strong enough to prevent deflection✓
Forms must be mortar tight, true to the dimensions, lines and grades, and strong enough to prevent deflection during placement. Not "Waterproof, painted and reusable for further pours": paint and reuse are not the stated requirements. Not "Light, cheap and removable by hand for early stripping": those traits do not ensure a correct finished shape. Not "Smooth, oiled and left in place to protect the concrete": leaving forms in place is not a form requirement.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03C(2)(a)
A crew wants to strip the shores under a suspended slab on day 3 because the schedule calls for it. What does Cal/OSHA require?
- a.Approval from the concrete supplier, given by phone on the day
- b.The employer must find the concrete strong enough to carry its weight and loads✓
- c.Nothing, since removal is the contractor's choice on the day it picks
- d.A fixed 7 days for each slab, with no strength test needed
Forms and shores may not be removed until the employer determines the concrete can support its weight and superimposed loads. Not "Nothing, since removal is the contractor's choice on the day it picks": removal is conditioned on measured strength. Not "A fixed 7 days for each slab, with no strength test needed": the rule is based on strength, not a fixed calendar number. Not "Approval from the concrete supplier, given by phone on the day": the employer makes the strength determination.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717(e)(1)
What must be done with stripped forms and shoring in areas where people work or pass?
- a.They are left in place until the job ends, then removed in one pass
- b.They are thrown onto the next floor, where they stay until the cleanup crew comes
- c.They are removed and stockpiled promptly, with protruding nails and wire ties pulled or cut✓
- d.They are buried in the backfill once the floor above has been placed
Stripped forms and shoring are removed and stockpiled promptly, and protruding nails, wire ties and other accessories are pulled, cut or otherwise made safe. Not "They are left in place until the job ends, then removed in one pass": stripped material is cleared promptly. Not "They are thrown onto the next floor, where they stay until the cleanup crew comes": random placement creates hazards. Not "They are buried in the backfill once the floor above has been placed": burying is not an acceptable disposal step.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717(d)(7)
Concrete is arriving but the crew cannot finish the whole integral part of a structure today. What does the Caltrans specification say?
- a.Place half of it today and finish the rest the next week
- b.Add water to extend the workable time of the concrete
- c.Start anyway and stop at whatever point is convenient
- d.Do not start unless placement can be completed uninterrupted✓
Concrete is placed continuously in each integral part, and work does not start unless placement can be completed uninterrupted. Not "Start anyway and stop at whatever point is convenient": construction joints go only where shown or authorized. Not "Place half of it today and finish the rest the next week": uninterrupted placement is required for each integral part. Not "Add water to extend the workable time of the concrete": retempering is prohibited.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
A load of concrete is stiffening before it can be placed. A worker proposes adding water to loosen it. What does the specification say?
- a.Add water if the inspector is away from the site that day
- b.Do not retemper partially hardened concrete with additional water✓
- c.Add water up to the maximum slump shown in the mix design
- d.Add water on hot days, when the concrete stiffens fastest
Concrete is placed while fresh and before initial set, and partially hardened concrete is not retempered with water. Not "Add water up to the maximum slump shown in the mix design": retempering is not allowed once it has stiffened. Not "Add water on hot days, when the concrete stiffens fastest": the prohibition does not depend on temperature. Not "Add water if the inspector is away from the site that day": the rule applies whether or not anyone is watching.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
A structure footing is 3 feet deep with a top layer of reinforcement. What additional step does Caltrans require after initial screeding?
- a.Reconsolidating the top 1 foot of concrete as late as it will respond to vibration✓
- b.Adding 1 inch of water to the surface, to keep it workable until the finish
- c.Waiting 28 days before curing begins, to let the concrete gain its strength
- d.Removing the top mat of steel to let the vibrator reach the concrete
For footings over 2.5 feet deep with top reinforcement, the concrete is reconsolidated to a depth of 1 foot, not sooner than 15 minutes after initial screeding. Not "Adding 1 inch of water to the surface, to keep it workable until the finish": adding water weakens the surface. Not "Removing the top mat of steel to let the vibrator reach the concrete": the reinforcement stays in place. Not "Waiting 28 days before curing begins, to let the concrete gain its strength": curing starts promptly, not after 28 days.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
How are concrete girder spans placed under the Caltrans specification?
- a.In one continuous pour of girders and deck together
- b.Deck slab first, then the girders placed on top of the finished slab
- c.In at least 2 operations, deck slab last, with at least 5 days between✓
- d.In 2 operations on consecutive days, with the deck slab last
Girder spans are placed in at least two operations, the last being the deck slab, with at least 5 days between operations. Not "In one continuous pour of girders and deck together": girder spans are placed in at least two operations. Not "Deck slab first, then the girders placed on top of the finished slab": the last operation must be the deck slab. Not "In 2 operations on consecutive days, with the deck slab last": at least 5 days are allowed between operations.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
Within what time after depositing must high-frequency internal vibrators be used on concrete pavement placed on the subgrade?
- a.15 minutes✓
- b.2 hours
- c.Next morning
- d.The vibrators are not required
High-frequency internal vibrators must be used within 15 minutes of depositing the concrete on the subgrade. Not "2 hours": by then the concrete is beginning to set. Not "Next morning": consolidation must be done fresh. Not "The vibrators are not required": consolidation is required without segregation.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 40-1.03F(4)
A crew is tempted to use a vibrator to push a pile of fresh concrete sideways to its final location. What does Caltrans say?
- a.Do not use vibrators for extensive shifting of concrete✓
- b.It is allowed if the vibrator is high frequency
- c.It is the preferred way to spread concrete
- d.It is allowed on bridge decks
Concrete is placed as close to final position as possible and vibrators are not used for extensive shifting. Not "It is the preferred way to spread concrete": vibrators consolidate; shifting segregates paste from rock. Not "It is allowed if the vibrator is high frequency": frequency does not change the rule. Not "It is allowed on bridge decks": the rule is not limited to decks.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
For concrete pavement placed with a paving machine, where must vibrators not rest?
- a.On side forms or new concrete pavement✓
- b.In the concrete being consolidated by the vibrator
- c.On the paving machine's frame or its screed
- d.On the tire of a truck in the paving lane
The specification says vibrators must not rest on side forms or new concrete pavement. Not "On the paving machine's frame or its screed": the rule names forms and new pavement. Not "On the tire of a truck in the paving lane": truck tires are not part of the rule. Not "In the concrete being consolidated by the vibrator": vibrators operate in the concrete.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 40-1.03F(4)
Except for cast-in-place piles, how far may fresh concrete fall in a structure before pipes, tubes or double belting are needed to prevent segregation?
- a.More than 8 feet requires them✓
- b.They are not needed if the mix is wet
- c.More than 30 inches requires them
- d.More than 20 feet requires them
Fresh concrete may not fall more than 8 feet without pipes, tubes or double belting, except for CIP piles. Not "More than 20 feet requires them": concrete would already have segregated in a drop that long. Not "More than 30 inches requires them": this is lower than the stated limit. Not "They are not needed if the mix is wet": wetness does not remove the requirement.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D(1)
What must double-acting diesel hammers with internal combustion engines have under the Caltrans pile specification?
- a.A cushion of sand on the ram to soften the impact
- b.A transducer that records bounce chamber pressure✓
- c.A tripod for hand starting when the hammer stalls in the field
- d.A vibratory head fitted to the leads of the driving rig
Double acting diesel hammers with internal combustion engines must have a transducer that records bounce chamber pressure. Not "A vibratory head fitted to the leads of the driving rig": vibratory hammers are prohibited for driven piles. Not "A cushion of sand on the ram to soften the impact": sand on the ram is not specified. Not "A tripod for hand starting when the hammer stalls in the field": a tripod is not specified.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C
What penetration rate per blow must a pile hammer be able to produce at the nominal driving resistance?
- a.Not less than 1/8 inch per blow at that resistance✓
- b.Exactly 2 inches per blow at that resistance
- c.Not more than 1/8 inch per blow at that resistance
- d.Whatever rate gets the pile to tip elevation
The hammer must develop enough energy to drive at a rate of not less than 1/8 inch per blow at the nominal driving resistance. Not "Not more than 1/8 inch per blow at that resistance": the rule sets a minimum, so the blow count can mean something. Not "Exactly 2 inches per blow at that resistance": far more than the stated minimum. Not "Whatever rate gets the pile to tip elevation": the hammer capacity requirement is separate.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C
Piles to be load tested, and sheet piles, are driven to what under the Caltrans specification?
- a.At least the nominal resistance and the specified tip elevation
- b.The specified tip elevation shown✓
- c.The depth the foreman judges adequate
- d.Whatever depth the hammer can reach in one hour
Except for piles to be load tested and sheet piles, piles are driven to at least the nominal driving resistance and the specified tip elevation; the exceptions are driven to the specified tip elevation. Not "At least the nominal resistance and the specified tip elevation": that is the rule for other driven piles. Not "Whatever depth the hammer can reach in one hour": no time-based criterion is stated. Not "The depth the foreman judges adequate": the specification sets the criterion.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C
What is the smallest diameter allowed for each tremie tube used to place concrete under slurry in a CIDH pile?
- a.4 inches
- b.10 inches✓
- c.30 inches
- d.2 inches
Tremie tubes must each be at least 10 inches in diameter, fed by one or more concrete pumps. Not "2 inches": too small to carry the mix. Not "4 inches": still below the stated minimum. Not "30 inches": far larger than the stated minimum.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-3.02C(9)
During a CIDH pile pour under slurry, what must the crew not allow?
- a.Cleaning the bottom after the cage is placed
- b.A standby concrete pump on site for the pour
- c.The tube end staying in the concrete
- d.Concrete falling into the slurry✓
The specification says not to allow concrete to fall into the slurry during placement. Not "The tube end staying in the concrete": that is the correct practice. Not "A standby concrete pump on site for the pour": a standby pump is required. Not "Cleaning the bottom after the cage is placed": cleaning is required before concrete.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-3.02C(9)
When must the bottom of a drilled CIDH pile hole be cleaned of settled drill cuttings?
- a.Before the cage is placed, and not again before the pour
- b.After placing the reinforcement and before placing concrete✓
- c.Not when slurry is used, as the slurry holds the cuttings
- d.After the concrete has set around the cage, by flushing the base
If drill cuttings settle out of the slurry, the bottom is cleaned after placing reinforcement and before placing concrete. Not "Before the cage is placed, and not again before the pour": cuttings can settle again after the cage goes in. Not "After the concrete has set around the cage, by flushing the base": too late to remove settled material. Not "Not when slurry is used, as the slurry holds the cuttings": slurry does not remove the need to clean.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-3.02C(9)(a)
A worker will enter a bell-bottom pier hole. What does Cal/OSHA require?
- a.A harness with a lifeline attached, individually attended✓
- b.A shared lifeline that is also used to lift material from the hole
- c.A radio with a signaler standing 100 feet away from the hole
- d.A hard hat and a flashlight, with no other equipment carried
Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes wear a harness with a securely attached lifeline, separate from material lines and individually attended. Not "A hard hat and a flashlight, with no other equipment carried": protection from the confined excavation hazard is required. Not "A shared lifeline that is also used to lift material from the hole": the lifeline must be separate from any material-handling line. Not "A radio with a signaler standing 100 feet away from the hole": an attended lifeline is the stated protection.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1541(g)(2)(B)
What happens to driven piles at the cutoff elevation?
- a.They are left tall for the next contractor to cut off later on
- b.They are cut at the elevation shown without damaging the pile below✓
- c.They are bent over and buried in the footing concrete as it is poured
- d.They are cut 2 feet below the elevation shown
Driven piles are cut off at the elevations shown, anchored to the structure, and not damaged below cutoff. Not "They are left tall for the next contractor to cut off later on": cutoff is done at the elevations shown. Not "They are cut 2 feet below the elevation shown": the cutoff is at the elevation shown. Not "They are bent over and buried in the footing concrete as it is poured": bending would damage the pile.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C(6)
A pile driven into soft clay carries most of its load along its length through contact with the soil. FHWA uses what term for this?
- a.Skin friction✓
- b.End bearing
- c.Consolidation
- d.Lateral spreading
FHWA's pile discussion treats skin friction along the shaft and end bearing at the tip as the two ways a deep foundation carries load. Not "End bearing": that is load carried at the pile tip. Not "Lateral spreading": that is a ground movement during earthquakes. Not "Consolidation": that is settlement of soil under sustained load.FHWA NHI-06-088, deep foundations