NCEES-PE Exam Information and Guideline
NCEES - PE Civil Engineering
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. It is designed for engineers who have gained a minimum of four years post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline.
The PE Civil exam is an 8-hour exam with 80 questions. It is administered in pencil-and-paper format twice per year in April and October. See the exam schedule for specific dates.
Reviewing the PE exam specifications and design standardsReading the reference materials and examinee guideUnderstanding scoring and reportingViewing the most up-to-date PE exam pass rates
I. Project Planning
A. Quantity take-off methods
B. Cost estimating
C. Project schedules
D. Activity identification and sequencing
II. Means and Methods
A. Construction loads
B. Construction methods
C. Temporary structures and facilities
III. Soil Mechanics
A. Lateral earth pressure
B. Soil consolidation
C. Effective and total stresses
D. Bearing capacity
E. Foundation settlement
F. Slope stability
Civil Breadth Exam Specifications Continued
IV. Structural Mechanics
A. Dead and live loads
B. Trusses
C. Bending (e.g., moments and stresses)
D. Shear (e.g., forces and stresses)
E. Axial (e.g., forces and stresses)
F. Combined stresses
G. Deflection
H. Beams
I. Columns
J. Slabs
K. Footings
L. Retaining walls
V. Hydraulics and Hydrology
A. Open-channel flow
B. Stormwater collection and drainage (e.g., culvert, stormwater inlets, gutter flow, street flow, storm sewer pipes)
C. Storm characteristics (e.g., storm frequency, rainfall measurement and distribution)
D. Runoff analysis (e.g., Rational and SCS/NRCS methods, hydrographic application, runoff time of concentration)
E. Detention/retention ponds
F. Pressure conduit (e.g., single pipe, force mains, Hazen-Williams, Darcy-Weisbach, major and minor losses)
G. Energy and/or continuity equation (e.g., Bernoulli)
VI. Geometrics
A. Basic circular curve elements (e.g., middle ordinate, length, chord, radius)
B. Basic vertical curve elements
C. Traffic volume (e.g., vehicle mix, flow, and speed)
VII. Materials
A. Soil classification and boring log interpretation
B. Soil properties (e.g., strength, permeability, compressibility, phase relationships)
C. Concrete (e.g., nonreinforced, reinforced)
D. Structural steel
E. Material test methods and specification conformance
F. Compaction
VIII. Site Development
A. Excavation and embankment (e.g., cut and fill)
B. Construction site layout and control
C. Temporary and permanent soil erosion and sediment control (e.g., construction erosion control and permits, sediment transport, channel/outlet protection)
D. Impact of construction on adjacent facilities
E. Safety (e.g., construction, roadside, work zone)
CIVIL–CONSTRUCTION DEPTH Exam Specifications
I. Earthwork Construction and Layout
A. Excavation and embankment (e.g., cut and fill)
B. Borrow pit volumes
C. Site layout and control
D. Earthwork mass diagrams and haul distance
E. Site and subsurface investigations
II. Estimating Quantities and Costs
A. Quantity take-off methods
B. Cost estimating
C. Cost analysis for resource selection
D. Work measurement and productivity
III. Construction Operations and Methods
A. Lifting and rigging
B. Crane stability
C. Dewatering and pumping
D. Equipment operations (e.g., selection, production, economics)
E. Deep foundation installation
IV. Scheduling
A. Construction sequencing
B. Activity time analysis
C. Critical path method (CPM) network analysis
D. Resource scheduling and leveling
E. Time-cost trade-off
V. Material Quality Control and Production
A. Material properties and testing (e.g., soils, concrete, asphalt)
B. Weld and bolt installation
C. Quality control process (QA/QC)
D. Concrete proportioning and placement
E. Concrete maturity and early strength evaluation
VI. Temporary Structures
A. Construction loads, codes, and standards
B. Formwork
C. Falsework and scaffolding
D. Shoring and reshoring
E. Bracing and anchorage for stability
F. Temporary support of excavation
VII. Health and Safety
A. OSHA regulations and hazard identification/abatement
B. Safety management and statistics
C. Work zone and public safety