Notes For Mar 22nd 23rd and 24th Classes Part 2

2010
School of PE
Professional Engineer
by George Stankiewicz, P.E., LEED A. P.
C I V I L E N G I N E E R
ahmed youssef (ahmed_usief@yahoo.com)
This copy is given to the following student as part of School of PE course. Not allowed to distribute to others.
School of PE

Civil Engineer Refresher Course - CONSTRUCTION
Workshop Questions and Solutions
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Workshop Questions and Solutions ............................................................................................3
1. Surveying .........................................................................................................................3
2. Construction Management .............................................................................................12
3. Materials ........................................................................................................................24

This symbol represents topics within the Refresher Course that are part of
the subject matter which will further help your understanding.
The information is intented for self-study and may not be
reviewed during the refresher course.

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3

WORKSHOP QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS

1. SURVEYING
1. - Question 130,000-yd
3
of banked soil from a borrow pit is
stockpiled before being trucked to the jobsite. The soil has 18% swell and
shrinkage of 8%. The final volume of the compacted soil is most nearly:
a. 119,600-yd
3

b. 124,600-yd
3

c. 125,400-yd
3

d. 135,400-yd
3

Solution: Shrinkage is measured with respect to the bank condition.
V
compacted
= (100% - % shrinkage) V
bank

100%

V
c
= (100% -8%) (130,000-yds
3
) = 119,600-yd
3
(answer)
100%
2. - Question A 30-ft wide trapezoidal shaped earthen stream
diversion channel is cut along a 2-mile stretch of rolling level terrain. The
depth of the channel at station 52+25 is 8-6 deep and at station 53+75 is
12-6 deep. The bottom of the channel is a constant 12-ft wide and
parallel with the surface cut. The volume of excavated material between
the referenced stations is most nearly:

a. 1225-yd
3

b. 1225-ft
3

c. 1415-yd
3

d. 32225-ft
3

Solution:
Distance between stations:
53+75 52+25 = 150-ft
End Area at stations:
Sta 52+25 Area = A = ((a +b)h) 2 = ((30-ft + 12-ft)8.5-ft) 2 = 178.5-ft
2

Sta 53+75 Area = A = ((a +b)h) 2 = ((30-ft + 12-ft)12.5-ft) 2 =262.5-ft
2

Calculate Volume
[(178.5-ft
2
+ 262.5-ft
2
) 2 x 150-ft] (1-yd
3
/27-ft
3
) = 1225-yd
3
(answer)

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3. - Question Geotechnical project specifications require that the
soils optimum moisture content of 24% be maintained during the roadbeds
construction. The field moisture test finds that five-pounds of soil has a
water content of 11%. The amount of water that must be added during the
days planned production of 1,250-tons to achieve the optimum moisture
content is most nearly:

a. 4.5-lbs
b. 4,7000-gal
c. 35,000-gal
d. 292,500-gal

Solution: The total mass of the moist soil is equal to the dry soil and
water content. The mass of water is equal to 11% of the dry soil. This
relationship is represented in the following equation:
M
total
= M
soil
+ M
water

M
total
= M
soil
+ 0.11 M
soil

M
total
= 1.11 M
soil

Solve for the mass of the dry soil and water:
M
soil
= M
total
= 5-lb = 4.50-lb
1.11 1.11
M
water
= 0.11M
soil
= (0.11) (4.50-lb) = .50-lb

To raise the water content from 11% to 24%, the earthwork contractor must
add 13% by mass of water.

M
water
= (W
required
) (M
soil
)
= (0.13) (4.50-lb)
= 0.585-lbm of water per 5-lbs of soil
OR
= 0.117-lb of water / lb of soil

Convert the results of the required additional water and apply it to the days
planned production:

1,250-ton x 2,000-lb/ton = 2,500,000-lb of soil
2,500,000-lb of soil x 0.117-lbm of water/lb of soil = 292,500-lbm of water
292,500-lb of water 62.4-lb of water/ft
3
= 4,688-ft
3

4,688-ft
3
x 7.48gal/ft
3
= 35,062.5-gallons
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4. - Question The Table below provides the end area between
stations 51+00 and 57+00. Use the Table to
answer the following:

1. The net excavation from Station 51+00 to
57+00 is most nearly:

a. 1000-yd
3
borrow
b. 1200-yd
3
waste
c. 1400-yd
3
borrow
d. 1600-yd
3
waste

2. An earthwork contractor will use his fleet of 20-yd
3
dump trucks to
move the waste or borrow soil. Using a swell of 10% the number of
dump truck loads needed are most nearly:

a. 50-truck loads
b. 62-truck loads
c. 82-truck loads
d. 92-truck loads

End Area
Station Cut Fill
(ft
2
) (ft
2
)
51 + 00 0 250
52 + 00 0 300
53 + 00 0 435
54 + 00 0 550
54 + 30 150 0
55 + 00 650 0
56 + 00 850 0
57 + 00 380 0
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Solution
End Area (ft
2
)
Station Distance Cut Fill cut vol fill vol
(ft) (sf) (sf) (cy) (cy)
51+00

250
100 1019
52+00 300
100 1361
53+00 435
100 1824
54+00 0 550
30 83 306
54+30 150 0
70 1037
55+00 650
100 2778
56+00 850
100 2278
57+00 380
TOTAL 6176 4510

1. Cut volume Fill volume = Net excavation

6176-yd
3
4510-yd
3
= 1666-yd
3
of soil to be trucked off-site (Answer)

2. Number of truck loads = (waste x swell) / yd
3
per truck load

Number of truck loads = (1666-yd
3
x 1.1) / 20-yd
3
/truck load
= 92-truck loads (answer)

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5. - Question On a 5-acre level terrain building site, an earthwork
contractor has instructed her crew to strip and grub the topsoil of a 60,000-
ft
2
proposed building pad to a minus 2-ft sub-grade. The soil has a swell of
40% and an angle of repose at 30. The diameter of the stockpile is most
nearly:
a. 120-ft
b. 130-ft
c. 140-ft
d. 150-ft
Solution:
Determine the cubic volume of the cut and the swell of the soil:
60,000-ft
2
x 2-ft x 1.40 (40% swell) = 168,000-ft
3
or 6,222-yd
3

Evaluate the question using the equation for the volume of a cone and the maximum incline of
the sides of the cone are at the natural angle of repose equal to the angle of internal friction.
Check the maximum height based on the natural angle of repose.
r = h tan = h tan 30 = 1.73h
Using the equation to find the
Volume of the cone, solve for h, the
Height:

V = r
2
h
3

168,000-ft
3
= ( (1.73h)
2
x h) 3 = h
3

h= (168,000-ft
3
)
1/3
= 37.55-ft

Solve for r:

168,000-ft
3
= ( r
2
h) 3

r = 65.33 x 2 = 130.76-ft diameter (answer = b)

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6. - Question An earthwork contract was awarded to excavate and
backfill the foundation of a proposed 50-ft by 50-ft office building. The
existing grade elevation is 437.5-ft while the sub-base for the below grade
basement is 432.5-ft. The concrete contractor requires a 3-ft perimeter
walkway in order to place the concrete formwork. Soil conditions are
classified as OSHA Type B soils which require 1H:1V side slopes. The
bank volume (yd
3
) to be stockpiled and used for backfill is most nearly:
a. 110
b. 278
c. 463
d. 690
Solution: The foundation excavation can be described as an inverted truncated
pyramid. Compute the earthwork volume using the buildings dimensions and add a 3-ft
perimeter walkway around the building for the workers erecting the concrete formwork.
Equation for the volume of a truncated pyramid:
Volume = V
1
= h/3 (A
1
+ A
2
+ (A
1
x A
2
))
Compute depth of foundation = h = 437.5-ft 432.5-ft = 5.0-ft
A1 = Area of the base of truncated pyramid = (50 + 3 + 3) (50 + 3 + 3) = 3,136-ft
2

A2 = Area of the top of truncated pyramid = (50 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 5) (50 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 5) =
4,356-ft
2

V1 = 5/3 (3,136 + 4,356 + ((3,136 x 4,356)
V1 = 18,647-ft
3
= 690-yd
3

Compute the volume of the basement and subtract this from the total excavation to
determine the volume of backfill material.
Building Volume = 50 x 50 x 5 = 12,500-ft
3
= 463yd
3

Backfill stockpile required = 690-yd
3
- 463-yd
3
= 278-yd
3

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7. - Question The information given in Figure 1 is translated from the
surveyors field book data for a proposed local borrow pit. The volume of
excavation in yd
3
is most nearly?
a. 2,050-yd
3

b. 7,275 yd
3

c. 9,275 yd
3

d. 10,250-yd
3

Solution:
V = ((33.4 x 1) + (34.2 x 2) + (32.9 x 1) + (30.6 x 2) + (31.8 x 1) + (32.8 x 1) + (35.7 x 3) + (33.0 x 1)) (2500 (4 x 27))
V = (2500 (4 x 27))
V = 9,273-yd
3
(answer)

Figure 1 [not to scale]

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8. - Question Based on the information provided in Figure 1, the
elevation of BM
2
is most nearly:
a. 109.53-ft
b. 117.85-ft
c. 124.47-ft
d. 24.47-ft

[not to scale]
FIGURE 1
Solution:
BM + BS = HI
HI FS = TP Elevation

Remember to always check the summation of the back sight and foresight with the elevation
change.

Point BS HI FS Elevation
BM
1
12.64 112.64 100.00
TP
1
10.88 120.41 3.11 109.53
TP
2
9.72 127.57 2.56 117.85
BM
2
3.10 124.47
+33.24 -8.77 +24.47
BS
9.72
BS
12.64
FS
3.10
FS
3.11
BM
1

Elev. 100.00
TP
1

TP
2

BM
2

BS
10.88
FS
2.56
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9. - Question The centerline separation distance between the sanitary
manhole located at sta 52+00 and sta 62+00 is 20 stations. The invert
elevation of the 24-in diameter RCP at station 52+00 is 345.5-ft. The
pipes downward slope is 3% to sta 54+50 where the downward slope
changes to 5/8 per foot through to sta 62+00. The invert elevation of the
pipe entering the manhole at station 62+00 is most nearly:

a. 296.5-ft
b. 298.5-ft
c. 299.0-ft
d. 302.5-ft

Solution:

Distance between sta 52+00 and 54+50 = 250-ft
250-ft x 3% slope = 7.5-ft

Distance between sta 54+50 and 62+00 = 750-ft
750-ft x (.625-in/ft) = 468.75-in

Calculate elevation using the results:
Elev. 345.5-ft 7.5-ft 39.0625-ft = 298.94-ft (answer)

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2. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

10. - Question The third floor of a 5-story 450,000-ft
2
(gross area)
office building includes a 45-ft x 65-ft open-air atrium through to the first
floor. The project is being prepared for the placement of concrete on the
composite steel deck on the third floor. The specification requires a curing
agent to be applied no later than 45-minutes after machine trowel. Job
records show that (14) 55-gallon drums were used to apply the curing
agent on the 1
st
and 2
nd
floors. Using the recorded application rate, the
number of drums needed and gallons remaining for the project are most
nearly:
a) 20-drums; 4-gallons remain
b) 21-drums; 36-gallons remain
c) 22-drums; 49-gallons remain
d) 22-drums; 50-gallons remain

Solution:
Floor Gross ft
2
Net
ft
2

Curing
Agent
Used
ft
2

Curing
Agent
Required
ft
2

5
th
90,000 90,000 90,000
4
th
90,000 90,000 90,000
3
rd
90,000 87,075 87,075
2
nd
90,000 87,075 87,075
1
st
90,000 90,000 90,000
Column Totals 450,000 177,075 267,075

Curing agent application rate from job records:
177,075-ft
2
14-drums = 12,648.21-ft
2
/drum 55-gal/drum = 230-ft
2
/gal
Curing agent needed to complete the project:
267,075-ft
2
230-ft
2
/gal = 1,161.20-gallons 55-gal/drum = 21.11 drums
Purchase 22 drums; 49-gallons remain (answer)

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11. - Question An electrical contractor is preparing to place the duct
bank concrete encasement for the high voltage feeders between manhole
# 11 and # 12, total distance is 323-ft. The duct bank is 2-ft x 3-ft and
holds nine 4.5-in Schedule 80 PVC conduits. The amount of concrete to be
ordered is most nearly:

a. 60-yd
3

b. 63-yd
3

c. 72-yd
3

d. 75-yd
3

Solution:
Nominal 4-in Schedule 80 PVC pipe is 4.5-in O.D.
Total Volume = 2 x 3 x 323 = 1938-ft
3
/ 27-ft
3
/CY = 71.77-yd
3

Total Deduct = 9 x ( ((4.5/12)/ft)
2
) x 323 = 321-ft
3
/ 27-ft
3
/CY = 11.89-yd
3
4
Total Concrete = 71.77-yd
3
11.89-yd
3
= 59.88-yds
3
(answer)

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12. - Question The overall foundation plan for a new residence is
shown in the drawing below. The foundation consists of an 838-LF
perimeter spread footing measuring 18-in x 12-in and three column footings
measuring 4-ft square by 12-in. During excavation, it was discovered that
the soil conditions required that the footing width be increased by 70% in
order to meet the required bearing with no change to depth of the
foundation wall. The amount of additional concrete needed to meet the
new requirement is most nearly:

a. 31.4-yd
3

b. 35.9-yd
3

c. 48.3-yd
3

d. 82.2-yd
3

Crawl Space
Crawl Space
Column footings
4 x 4 (typical)
Foundation Plan (Footing Layout)
Not to scale
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Solution:

Calculate the cubic volume of concrete using the given parameters:

Footing:
838-ft x 1.5-ft x 1-ft = 1257-ft
3
= 46.56-yd
3

Column Footing:
3-ea x 4-ft x 4-ft x 1-ft = 48-ft
3
= 1.78-yd
3

Total Concrete:
46.56-yd
3
+ 1.78-yd
3
= 48.34-yd
3

Calculate a 70% increase:

Footing:
838-ft x (1.5-ft x 1.7) x 1-ft = 2,137-ft
3
= 79.14-yd
3

Column Footing:
3-ea x (4-ft x 1.7 x 4-ft x 1.7) x 1-ft = 139-ft
3
= 5.14-yd
3

Total Concrete:
79.14-yd
3
+ 5.14-yd
3
= 84.28-yd
3

Calculate Net Increase:
84.28-yd
3
- 48.34-yd
3
= 35.94-yd
3

(Answer = b)

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13. - Question A city engineer is deciding which of two alternatives to
select. If the interest rate is 10% per year, the Benefit-Cost analysis ratio of
the alternative to be selected is most nearly:
a. 1.125
b. 1.179
c. 1.307
d. 1.387

Alternative Cost Annual Benefit Salvage Useful Life
A $48,000 $13,000 $0 6 yrs
B $40,000 $12,000 $0 6 yrs

Solution:
Alternative A:
PW of Benefits = $13,000 (P/A, 10%, 6)
= $13,000 (4.355)
= $56,615
PW of Costs = $48,000
B/C = $56,615/$48,000 = 1.179
Alternative B:
PW of Benefits = $12,000 (P/A, 10%, 6)
= $12,000 (4.355)
= $52,260
PW of Costs = $40,000
B/C = $52,260/$40,000 = 1.3065
Since B/C of Alternative B is more than Alternative A, select Alternative B.
(answer = c)

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14. - Question With interest at 10%, the benefit-cost ratio for this
municipal government project is most nearly:
Initial cost $200,000
Additional costs at end of years 1 & 2 $30,000/yr
Benefits at end of years 1 & 2 $0
Annual benefits from years 3 to 10 $90,000/yr
a. 1.05
b. 1.25
c. 1.35
d. 1.57

Solution:
PW Cost = $200,000 + $30,000 (P/A, 10%, 2)
= $200,000 + $30,000 (1.736)
= $252,080
PW Benefits = $90,000 (P/A,10%,8) (P/F, 10%, 2)
= $90,000 (5.335) (0.8264)
= $396,800
B/C = $396,800/$252,080 = 1.574 (answer = d)

n-10
6 5 4 3
2 1
0
10
30k
i = 10%
1 2 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
7 8 9
30k
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15. - Question An excavating contractor determined through a test
strip, that a smooth steel-wheel vibrating roller compactor operating at 3-
mph can compact a 6-inch layer of borrow material to a proper density in
four passes. The width of the smooth steel drum is 8.0-ft and operates 50-
min per hour. The number of compacting rollers required to maintain a
material delivery rate of 540-bank cubic yards per hour is most nearly (1
bank cubic yard = 0.83 compacted cubic yard):
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Solution: Calculate roller production.
Step 1: Compute a conversion factor to standardize the various units
of measure:
(5280 ft/mile) x (1 cubic yard / 27 cubic feet) x (1 foot / 12 inches) =
5280/27/12 = 16.3
Step 2: Compute compacted cubic yards (CCY) per hour:
Compacted cubic yards per hour = (16.3 x 8-ft x 3-mph x 6-inch x 50-
min/60-min) 4 passes
= 489 CCY/hr
Step 3: Compute compacted cubic yards (CCY) per hour to bank
cubic yards (BCY)
489-CCY/hr 0.83-CCY/BCY = 589.2 bank cubic yards per hour
Step 4: Compute the number of roller compactors needed.
Thus, 540 BCY/hr 589.2 BCU/hr = 0.92 < 1-roller compactor

Therefore, only one roller is required to keep up with the delivery of borrow
material.

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16. - Question Common ways to present the project schedule include
all except:
a. Gantt charts
b. Milestone charts
c. PERT charts
d. Project Network Diagrams with dates added

Solution: C - A PERT chart represents task dependencies but does not
represent activity durations or dates.

17. - Question The method of shortening a schedule that involves
breaking or changing logical relationships is known as:
a. GERT
b. Fast tracking
c. Crashing
d. Precedence mapping

Solution: B. Beginning construction before design is completed is an
example of fast tracking.

18. - Question Schedule control is concerned with all of the following
except:
a. Influencing the factors which create schedule changes
b. Determining that the schedule has changed
c. Resource requirement updates
d. Managing changes when and as they occur.
Solution: C - Resource planning to meet new or additional requirements is
a c
ost management process
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19. - Question A finish-to-finish activity is best described as:
a. The from activity must finish before the to activity can finish
b. The from activity must finish before the to activity can start
c. The from activity must start before the to activity can start
d. The from activity must start before the to activity can finish

Solution: A. The "from" activity appears first and the "to" activity
appears second in the sequence.

20. - Question Sources of historical information for activity duration
include all except:
a. Project files
b. Commercial estimating databases
c. Expert judgment
d. Project team knowledge

Solution: C Expert judgment is the synthesis of information from multiple
sources.

21. - Question Sheet rock cannot be installed in the new house you
are building until a building inspector approves the plumbing, electrical,
HVAC, and insulation. This is an example of:
a. A constraint
b. An assumption
c. A start-to-finish dependency
d. A finish-to-start dependency

Solution: D. The inspections must be finished before the sheet-rocking
can start.

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22. - Question A project requires that activities A and B can be
started independently and activities C and D are independent but can be
started after A and B have been completed. Activity E can be started only
when all activities A, B, C, and D have been completed. The correct
network for this project is:
a.

b.

c.

d.

Solution: a=answer

2
5
A
3
4
B
E
C
D
1
2
5
A
3
4
B
E
C
D
1
1
4
A
2
3
B
E
C
D
0
5
3
B
4
5
C
E
D
2 1
A
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23. - Question Given the network shown in the figure below:
1. Determine the total duration to complete the project
a) 20
b) 23
c) 25
d) 26

2. Identify the critical path:
a) A-C-D-E-G-H
b) A-C-D-G-H
c) A-B-D-E-G-H
d) A-C-D-F-G-H

G A
B
E
C
D F
2
6
7
3 5
2
2
9
H
5
Activity node

Activity duration
G
2
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Solution:

1. Total duration: 26

2. Critical Path: A-C-D-E-G-H

G A
B
E
C
D F
17 24 8
2
26
17
H
5
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3. MATERIALS

24. - Question A concrete batch plant provided the Design Strength
for the engineers mix design to match the projects specification
requirement for a 4000 psi Tremie pump mix. The w/c ratio is most nearly:
a) 05
b) .34
c) .38
d) .45

Solution:
From the given information: Cement + Flyash =
658-lbs
Water = 30.0-gal x 8.345-lbs/gal = 250.35-lbs
w/c = 250.35 / 658 = .38

Design Strength
4000 psi
Tremie
Mix
Material Units Check Quantity
Cement Lbs 559
Flyash Lbs 99
Sand Lbs 1245
Stone Lbs 1750
Water Gal 30.0
ADMIX 1 Ozs 3.3
ADMIX 2 Ozs 26.3
Slump Inch 5 - 7
Air % 6 1.5

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25. - Question A jobsite delivery ticket is shown below for a grout
mix. The actual w/c ratio is most nearly:
a) .30
b) .32
c) .34
d) .36

Batch Plt. 37 Load 210 Ticket 1487-TCC
Volume 10-CY Mix Description SOG 4000-psi Grout
Truck 41 w/c Date/Time 12/12/11 10:48

Material Target Actual Status Moisture Material Target Actual Status
Sand 18,580-lb 18,640-lb Done 4.4 % Cl 0-oz 0-oz
WR 0-oz 0-oz
Retarder 0-oz 0-oz
Air Entrain. 0-oz 0-oz
MR 0-oz 0-oz
HRWR 0-oz 0-oz
Calcium 0-oz 0-oz
NC Accel 2564-oz 2592-oz Done

Type I 9,060-lb 9,100-lb Done Water 2,420-lb 2,394-lb Done
Flyash 1,600-lb 1,595-lb Done

Solution:
Note, although there is a significant amount of Non Chlorinated
Accelerator (NC ACC) in the grout mix, the product is a water reducing
agent and is not added to the w/c ratio.
[( 2,592-oz 128-oz/gal * 8.345-gal/lb = 167-lb]

Calculate the total weight of the water:
Water = (2,394-lb) + (Sand 18,640-lb x 4.4%) = 3,214-lb

Calculate the total Weight of Cement:
Type1 9,100-lb + FlyAsh 1,595-lb = 10,695-lb

Calculate the w/c ratio. Since the units are the same, the ratio can be
directly calculated:
w/c = 3,214-lb 10,695-lb = .300 (answer = a)

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26. - Question A concrete wall form tie with an ultimate strength
capacity of 2,400-lbs is designed for use in a concrete wall form with an 18-
in center to center spacing. During formwork inspection it was discovered
that the actual spacing is 24-in center to center. Using the actual spacing,
the percent change in load on the wall form tie is most nearly:
a) 25%
b) 33%
c) 56.25%
d) 78%

Solution:
Determine design tributary area: 1.5-ft x 1.5-ft = 2.25-ft
2

Determine actual tributary area: 2-ft x 2-ft = 4-ft
2

Determine design ft
2
load: 2400-lbs / 2.25-ft
2
= 1066.67-lbs/ft
2

Determine actual load on 4-ft
2
: 1066.67- lbs/ft
2
x 4-ft
2
= 4266.68-lbs
Increase in load is: 4266.68-lbs 2400-lbs = 1866.68-lbs
Calculate % change = 1 - (4266.68-lbs / 2400-lbs) = 78%
The load increase is 78% on the wall form tie.


Notes For Mar 22nd 23rd and 24th Classes Part 2

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Notes For Mar 22nd 23rd and 24th Classes Part 2

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2010

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