Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

What is a key characteristic of structures built in civil engineering?

1. They are designed for flexibility.

2. They must be inexpensive to construct.

3. They are built to withstand specific forces.

4. They require minimal maintenance.

The correct answer is: They are built to withstand specific forces.

Structures built in civil engineering are primarily designed to withstand specific forces, which include loads such as dead loads (permanent/static loads from the structure itself), live loads (temporary/dynamic loads from occupancy and usage), wind loads, seismic loads, and other environmental factors. This characteristic is fundamental to ensuring the safety, stability, and longevity of the structure. Engineers analyze these forces during the design process to create structures that can endure them without failure, ensuring the integrity of the built environment. While flexibility in design can be an important aspect for certain types of structures—especially those in areas prone to seismic activity—it is not universally applicable to all structural designs, making it less defining than the necessity to withstand specific forces. Cost considerations are significant in any civil engineering project, but a focus solely on being inexpensive does not ensure structural integrity or safety. Similarly, while reducing maintenance is ideal, it is not a core characteristic of structural design, as all structures require some level of upkeep to ensure they continue to perform effectively.