Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor Examination

Which ASTM grade is the common modern designation for rolled wide-flange (W-shape) structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi?

• AA36
• BA992
• CA307
• DA53

What is the accepted unit weight of structural steel used for estimating weight from volume?

• A150 pounds per cubic foot
• B490 pounds per cubic foot
• C625 pounds per cubic foot
• D200 pounds per cubic foot

A W16×67 beam is 32 feet long. What is the approximate shipping weight of the beam alone (ignore connections and paint)?

• A1,072 pounds
• B2,144 pounds
• C3,216 pounds
• D670 pounds

What is the approximate weight of a steel plate 1/2 inch thick, 4 feet wide, and 10 feet long? (Use 40.8 lb/ft² per inch of thickness.)

• A204 pounds
• B408 pounds
• C816 pounds
• D1,632 pounds

For a bar or plate with a known cross-sectional area in square inches, which rule of thumb gives approximate weight per linear foot?

• AArea (in²) × 1.0 lb/ft
• BArea (in²) × 3.4 lb/ft
• CArea (in²) × 10.0 lb/ft
• DArea (in²) × 0.283 lb/ft

Before steel erection begins, OSHA Subpart R requires the controlling contractor to provide the steel erector with written notification that which of the following is true?

• AAll welders on site hold AWS certifications
• BConcrete in footings, piers, and walls has attained adequate strength and anchor bolts we…
• CThe structural engineer has signed the final as-built drawings
• DAll high-strength bolts have been pretensioned

According to OSHA Subpart R, each column shall be anchored by a minimum of how many anchor rods (anchor bolts)?

• ATwo
• BThree
• CFour
• DSix

For OSHA steel erection column anchorage design, each column and its anchorage must resist a minimum eccentric gravity load of 300 pounds applied how far from the extreme outer face of the column?

• A6 inches
• B12 inches
• C18 inches
• D24 inches

Except for connectors and workers in controlled decking zones, fall protection for employees engaged in steel erection is generally required when working how high above a lower level?

• A6 feet
• B10 feet
• C15 feet
• D30 feet

For connectors during steel erection, conventional fall protection is required when the connector is more than two stories or how many feet above a lower level, whichever is less?

• A15 feet
• B20 feet
• C30 feet
• D50 feet

A controlled decking zone (CDZ) used as an alternative fall-protection method for metal decking installation may extend no more than how far from the leading edge?

• A30 feet
• B60 feet
• C90 feet
• D120 feet

When shear connectors (such as headed studs) are used on composite floor or roof members, OSHA generally requires that they be installed when?

• AIn the shop before members are shipped so field work is reduced
• BIn the field after the metal decking has been installed, using the decking as the working…
• COnly after the concrete slab is placed
• DOnly on beams that will remain exposed architecturally

What is the primary purpose of temporary bracing and guy cables during structural steel erection?

• ATo replace permanent lateral-force-resisting systems permanently
• BTo maintain structural stability of the incomplete frame until permanent connections and…
• CTo eliminate the need for column base plates
• DTo pretension high-strength bolts

During erection, a multi-tiered building column is being set. Which practice best describes proper initial column plumbing?

• ALeave columns intentionally out of plumb so floors can pull them true later
• BPlumb columns within project tolerances using temporary guys and check with a transit, pl…
• CWeld all base plates solid before any plumbing checks
• DRely only on crane boom angle to establish final plumbness

What does the designation W21×44 mean for a wide-flange beam?

• AThe beam is 21 inches deep and weighs approximately 44 pounds per foot
• BThe beam is 21 feet long and weighs 44 pounds total
• CThe beam flange is 21 inches wide and the web is 44 inches deep
• DThe beam has a yield strength of 21 ksi and an ultimate strength of 44 ksi

Which document typically shows piece marks, shipping pieces, connection details, and bolt quantities used by the fabricator and erector?

• AArchitectural finish schedule only
• BApproved structural shop drawings (fabrication/erection drawings)
• CSoil boring log
• DConcrete mix design submittal

Under the AISC Code of Standard Practice, who is typically responsible for the design of connections when the contract documents designate connections as "to be designed by the fabricator"?

• AThe steel fabricator (or its licensed engineer as required)
• BThe ironworkers on the erection crew without engineering
• CThe concrete subcontractor
• DThe painting subcontractor

What is camber in a structural steel beam?

• AA permanent intentional curvature, usually upward, fabricated into a beam to offset dead-…
• BThe twist of a column about its long axis
• CThe slope of a roof beam for drainage only
• DA reduction in steel yield strength due to welding heat

Metal decking bundles should be landed so that they rest on supporting framing capable of safely supporting the load. Which practice is correct?

• ALand bundles only on joists that have not yet been attached at the ends
• BLand bundles on properly attached framing, spread the load as required, and avoid overloa…
• CStack all decking on one unbraced joist to free the crane quickly
• DPlace decking bundles on unsecured columns before beams are erected

For open web steel joists spanning more than 60 feet up through 100 feet, OSHA Subpart R requires which erection-bridging condition before releasing hoisting cables (general rule)?

• ANo bridging is required for any joist span
• BTwo rows of bolted diagonal erection bridging near the third points of the joist
• COnly a single tack weld at one end of the joist
• DBridging only after the concrete slab is placed

A steel angle is designated L6×4×1/2. What do these numbers represent?

• A6-inch long leg, 4-inch short leg, and 1/2-inch thickness
• B6-foot length, 4-inch width, and 1/2-pound per foot weight
• C6 ksi yield, 4 ksi allowable, and 1/2-inch bolt size
• D6-inch web, 4-inch flange, and 1/2-inch fillet weld

Which statement best describes mill test reports (MTRs) for structural steel?

• AThey document chemical composition and mechanical properties of the heat/lot of steel sup…
• BThey replace the need for approved shop drawings
• CThey are only required for architectural stainless trim
• DThey are the erector's daily production time cards

What is the common modulus of elasticity E used for structural steel in building design and analysis?

• A10,000 ksi
• B29,000 ksi
• C36,000 ksi
• D50,000 ksi

During multi-story steel erection, when should perimeter safety cables typically be installed?

• AOnly after the entire building is topped out
• BAs soon as the metal decking or other working surface is installed, at the final interior…
• COnly on the ground floor
• DNever, because Subpart R bans perimeter cables

What is a double connection condition that requires special erection attention?

• ATwo beams framing to opposite sides of a column web sharing common bolts through the web
• BA single beam with two rows of bolts in a shear plate
• CA column with four anchor rods
• DA bolted base plate with leveling nuts

Which practice is correct when field-modifying anchor rods that do not fit the column base plate?

• ACut and reweld the rods without documentation if the column will stand
• BObtain approval from the structural engineer of record before repair, replacement, or fie…
• CBend the rods cold as far as needed without engineering review
• DOmit two of the four rods if two seem snug

What is the usual sequence for erecting a simple multi-bay steel frame floor?

• ADecking first, then columns, then beams
• BColumns, then beams/girders with temporary bracing, then joists/purlins as applicable, th…
• CAll bolts fully pretensioned on the ground before any lifting
• DPaint touch-up first, then erect members without drawings

Which load path element is most often provided by properly attached metal decking in a steel building?

• AFoundation soil bearing capacity
• BHorizontal diaphragm action that distributes lateral loads to vertical frames or walls
• CPrimary gravity capacity of columns
• DAnchor rod tensile capacity

A column splice is being made mid-height. Which statement is most correct?

• ASplices may be ignored if the column is short enough to lift in one piece always
• BSplices must be detailed and completed per the approved drawings with temporary stability…
• CField welds at splices never require inspection
• DOnly two bolts are needed at any column splice regardless of drawings

What is the purpose of a base plate under a steel column?

• ATo distribute the column load to the concrete foundation and provide a bearing surface fo…
• BTo serve as the only required permanent lateral bracing for the building
• CTo eliminate the need for grout or leveling
• DTo replace mill test reports

Which standard governs structural joints using high-strength bolts in typical U.S. building steel construction?

• AACI 318 only
• BRCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts (as referenced by AISC)
• CNEC Article 250 only
• DAWS D1.3 only

What is a snug-tightened high-strength bolted joint?

• AA joint tightened only by hand without tools
• BA joint in which the connected plies are brought into firm contact by the full effort of…
• CA joint that always requires turn-of-nut pretension regardless of design
• DA joint painted after the nuts are left finger-tight

Which joint type relies on friction between faying surfaces under bolt clamp force to resist shear, rather than bolt shear/bearing alone?

• ASnug-tight bearing joint only
• BSlip-critical joint
• CA307 unfinished-bolt joint only
• DExpansion anchor joint in concrete only

Which of the following is an accepted method for pretensioning high-strength bolts under the RCSC Specification?

• ATurn-of-nut method
• BGuessing torque by sound only without calibration
• CHeating the bolt red-hot to shorten it
• DLeaving the nut one full turn loose for future adjustment

In the turn-of-nut pretensioning method, when is the required nut rotation measured?

• AFrom the finger-tight position before any snugging
• BFrom the snug-tight condition after all plies are in firm contact
• CAfter the joint has been painted
• DOnly after the structure is fully loaded with live load

For a 3/4-inch-diameter high-strength bolt, what is the standard (STD) hole diameter per AISC?

• A3/4 inch (same as bolt)
• B13/16 inch
• C15/16 inch
• D1 inch

Per AISC, the minimum center-to-center spacing of bolts shall not be less than which value, where d is the nominal bolt diameter?

• A1.0 d
• B2⅔ d
• C5.0 d
• D12 d

A bolted connection uses 3/4-inch bolts. What is the minimum center-to-center pitch based on 2⅔ d?

• A1 inch
• B1-1/2 inches
• C2 inches
• D3 inches

A shear plate connection has two vertical rows of bolts with a gage of 5-1/2 inches (distance between row centerlines) and three bolts per row with 3-inch pitch. What is the vertical distance from the first bolt centerline to the third bolt centerline in one row?

• A3 inches
• B5-1/2 inches
• C6 inches
• D9 inches

A connection detail shows edge distance of 1-1/4 inches from the center of a bolt hole to the sheared edge of a plate, and bolts are 3/4 inch diameter. If the minimum required edge distance for that condition is 1 inch, is 1-1/4 inches acceptable?

• ANo, edge distance must never exceed 1 inch
• BYes, because 1-1/4 inches is greater than the 1-inch minimum
• CNo, edge distance must equal exactly one bolt diameter
• DYes only if the hole is slotted

ASTM F3125 Grade A325 bolts are commonly used in structural steel. Compared with Grade A490 bolts of the same diameter, which statement is correct?

• AA325 bolts have higher specified tensile strength than A490 bolts
• BA490 bolts have higher specified strength than A325 bolts and often have more restrictive…
• CA325 and A490 are identical in strength and use
• DA490 bolts may only be used in wood construction

What is a twist-off-type tension-control (TC) bolt designed to indicate?

• AThat the bolt has reached a predetermined pretension when the spline shears off under ins…
• BThat the steel grade is A36
• CThat the faying surfaces are Class B without inspection
• DThat welding is not permitted anywhere on the structure

Direct tension indicators (DTIs) are used in pretensioned joints primarily to:

• AMeasure hole diameter
• BProvide a visual/measurable indication that bolt pretension has been achieved by compress…
• CReplace the nut entirely
• DGalvanize the bolt after installation

Which welding code is the primary U.S. standard for welding of structural steel buildings?

• AAWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code — Steel
• BAWS D17.1 only for aerospace
• CASME Section IX only for buildings
• DAPI 1104 only for buildings

In the electrode classification E7018, what does the "70" indicate?

• AMinimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal is 70 ksi
• BThe electrode diameter is 0.70 inch
• CThe required preheat is 70°F exactly
• DThe electrode may only be used on 70-foot spans