Nevada B General Building Contractor Examination

On a site grading plan, what does a contour line represent?

• AA line of equal elevation on the finished or existing ground surface
• BThe legal property boundary
• CThe centerline of a buried utility
• DThe frost-depth line under footings

Per 2018 IBC 1804.4, the ground immediately adjacent to a foundation shall be sloped away from the building at not less than which slope for a minimum of 10 feet?

• A1 unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (about 2 percent)
• B1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5 percent)
• C1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (about 8 percent)
• D1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5 percent)

A rectangular pad 60 feet by 40 feet will be excavated an average of 3.0 feet. What is the excavation volume in cubic yards (bank measure, no swell)?

• A200 CY
• B240 CY
• C267 CY
• D7,200 CY

What is the primary purpose of a site benchmark on a building project?

• ATo mark the public right-of-way line
• BTo locate the construction entrance
• CTo show where trees must be saved
• DTo provide a fixed point of known elevation for all grade control

Per 2018 IBC 1809.4, exterior footings shall be placed not less than how far below the undisturbed ground surface?

• A12 inches
• B8 inches
• C6 inches
• D18 inches

A building pad is 80 feet by 50 feet. Finish grade is an average of 2.0 feet above existing grade. How many cubic yards of compacted fill are required if the estimator allows 15 percent extra material for compaction?

• A296 CY
• B341 CY
• C370 CY
• D8,000 CY

What is the primary purpose of a silt fence on a Nevada building site during construction?

• ATo increase the bearing capacity of the pad
• BTo replace the required foundation drain
• CTo intercept sediment-laden runoff before it leaves the disturbed area
• DTo mark the finish-floor elevation

Per 2018 IBC Table 1806.2, what is the presumptive vertical foundation pressure for clay, sandy clay, silty clay, and clayey silt?

• A1,000 pounds per square foot
• B2,000 pounds per square foot
• C3,000 pounds per square foot
• D1,500 pounds per square foot

How many cubic feet are in 1 cubic yard of concrete?

• A27 cubic feet
• B9 cubic feet
• C36 cubic feet
• D144 cubic feet

A slab-on-grade measures 40 feet by 30 feet and is 4 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required (no waste)?

• A12.0 CY
• B14.8 CY
• C18.5 CY
• D40.0 CY

A continuous wall footing is 100 feet long, 24 inches wide, and 12 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required (no waste)?

• A5.6 CY
• B6.2 CY
• C7.4 CY
• D8.9 CY

A takeoff shows 14.8 CY of slab concrete. The estimator adds 10 percent for waste and over-excavation. How many cubic yards should be ordered?

• A15.0 CY
• B15.5 CY
• C16.0 CY
• D16.3 CY

Per ACI 318, what is the minimum concrete cover for cast-in-place reinforcement that is cast against and permanently exposed to earth?

• A3 inches
• B2 inches
• C1-1/2 inches
• D3/4 inch

What does a concrete slump test measure on the job?

• A28-day compressive strength
• BWorkability and consistency of the fresh mix
• CAir content of the hardened concrete
• DModulus of elasticity

Per 2018 IBC 1907.1, what is the minimum thickness of a concrete floor slab supported directly on the ground, and what vapor retarder is required unless an approved equivalent is used?

• A3 inches thick with a 4-mil polyethylene vapor retarder
• B4 inches thick with no vapor retarder
• C3-1/2 inches thick with a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder lapped at least 6 inches
• D5 inches thick with a 10-mil vapor retarder

A 30-foot by 40-foot by 4-inch slab and 80 lineal feet of 12-inch-thick by 24-inch-wide footing will be placed. With 10 percent waste, how many cubic yards should be ordered?

• A20.7 CY
• B21.5 CY
• C22.0 CY
• D22.8 CY

During cold-weather concreting, ACI guidance generally treats concrete as needing cold-weather protection when the air temperature is at or below which value, or is expected to fall to that value during the protection period?

• A40°F
• B50°F
• C32°F
• D20°F

What is the nominal diameter of a #5 reinforcing bar?

• A1/2 inch
• B5/8 inch
• C3/4 inch
• D4/8 inch

As a common field rule for unreinforced slabs on grade, contraction joints are spaced at about how many times the slab thickness (in inches), expressed in feet?

• A12 to 18 times the thickness
• B18 to 24 times the thickness
• C24 to 36 times the thickness
• D48 to 60 times the thickness

Standard acceptance of structural concrete compressive strength is based primarily on tests of cylinders at which age, unless the specifications state otherwise?

• A3 days
• B7 days
• C14 days
• D28 days

What is the primary purpose of internally vibrating freshly placed structural concrete?

• ATo consolidate the concrete by expelling entrapped air and working it around the reinforc…
• BTo add entrained air for freeze-thaw resistance
• CTo raise the slump after the truck has been on the road too long
• DTo replace the need for curing

All else equal, which change most reliably increases both compressive strength and durability of structural concrete?

• AIncreasing the water-cementitious ratio
• BDecreasing the water-cementitious ratio
• CAdding extra mixing water at the chute to raise slump
• DOmitting curing so the slab dries faster

Why is air-entrained concrete specified for exterior slabs, walks, and other concrete exposed to freeze-thaw in wet conditions?

• ATo increase slump without adding water
• BTo replace the vapor retarder under the slab
• CTo provide microscopic air voids that relieve pressure from freezing water in the paste
• DTo eliminate the need for contraction joints

What are the actual face dimensions of a standard modular 8-inch by 8-inch by 16-inch concrete masonry unit, allowing for a 3/8-inch mortar joint?

• A8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches
• B7-1/2 inches by 7-1/2 inches by 15-1/2 inches
• C7-3/4 inches by 7-3/4 inches by 15-3/4 inches
• D7-5/8 inches by 7-5/8 inches by 15-5/8 inches

Which ASTM C270 mortar type is generally selected for masonry in contact with the ground or where high lateral or compressive demand is expected?

• AType S
• BType N
• CType O
• DType K

What is the standard thickness of head and bed joints in modular concrete masonry?

• A1/4 inch
• B3/8 inch
• C1/2 inch
• D5/8 inch

Per TMS 402 masonry veneer provisions adopted through 2018 IBC Chapter 21, weep holes in the exterior wythe shall be spaced at a maximum of how far on center and shall be located where?

• A16 inches on center, at mid-height of the wall
• B24 inches on center, at the top of the parapet only
• C33 inches on center, immediately above the flashing
• D48 inches on center, at the finished grade line

When grouting reinforced CMU cells, what is the correct practice?

• APlace grout in dry, empty cells and never consolidate it
• BFill only the top course so the wall looks solid
• CUse leftover mortar from the board in place of grout
• DPlace specified grout in clean cells containing the reinforcement and consolidate it so t…

How many standard 8-inch-high by 16-inch-long modular CMU are required for a wall 8 feet high and 40 feet long (no openings, no waste)?

• A300
• B320
• C340
• D360

In running bond masonry, how far is each unit typically offset from the units in the course below?

• AOne-quarter of the unit length
• BOne-half of the unit length
• CThe full unit length, stacked directly above the unit below
• DThere is no regular offset in running bond

Where must through-wall flashing be installed in a drained masonry veneer?

• AOnly at the parapet coping
• BOnly behind window heads
• CAt the base of the wall and at all interruptions of the drainage cavity, such as shelf an…
• DContinuously on the exterior face of the brick as a coating

In the AISC designation W12×50, what do the numbers mean?

• AThe beam is 12 feet long and the flange is 50 inches wide
• BThe web is 12 millimeters thick and Fy is 50 ksi
• CThe section is a 12-inch pipe weighing 50 pounds per foot
• DThe nominal depth is 12 inches and the section weighs 50 pounds per foot

What is the specified minimum yield stress Fy of ASTM A36 structural steel, the grade still common for plates, angles, and miscellaneous steel?

• A36 ksi
• B50 ksi
• C60 ksi
• D36 psi

Which ASTM bolt grades are the common high-strength structural bolts used in building steel connections?

• AA307 and A36
• BA325 and A490 (or their F3125 equivalents)
• CA615 Grade 60 and Grade 75
• DA53 and A500

During structural steel erection, what is the primary purpose of temporary guys, braces, and plumbing-up cables?

• ATo replace the need for shop drawings
• BTo increase the fire-resistance rating of the frame
• CTo keep the frame stable and plumb until the permanent connections and decks are in place
• DTo pretension the high-strength bolts

Why is horizontal bridging installed on open-web steel joists?

• ATo increase the joist’s specified camber
• BTo substitute for the metal deck diaphragm
• CTo replace the joist seat weld
• DTo stabilize the joist chords against buckling and to distribute loads during erection an…

A takeoff lists eight W16×36 beams, each 30 feet long. What is the total steel weight?

• A8,640 pounds
• B4,320 pounds
• C1,080 pounds
• D36 pounds

What is the principal difference between a simple shear connection and a moment connection at a beam-to-column joint?

• AA shear connection transfers vertical shear only and is detailed to allow beam-end rotati…
• BA shear connection is always welded and a moment connection is always bolted
• CA moment connection is used only on joists, never on wide-flange beams
• DThere is no structural difference; the names are shop-billing terms

In light-gauge steel framing, what happens to the sheet thickness as the gauge number decreases?

• AThe steel becomes thinner
• BThe steel becomes thicker
• CThe yield stress automatically becomes 36 ksi
• DThe stud spacing must be 24 inches on center

How is steel floor or roof deck commonly attached to supporting steel beams or joists?

• AWith mortar beds only
• BWith drywall screws into wood blocking only
• CWith construction adhesive only
• DWith puddle welds, powder-actuated fasteners, or self-drilling screws as specified

What is the purpose of spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) on structural steel?

• ATo provide the fire-resistance rating required for the steel members in the listed assemb…
• BTo prevent the steel from rusting in lieu of any primer
• CTo increase the Fy of A36 steel to 50 ksi
• DTo replace bridging on steel joists

Why are long-span steel beams and open-web joists often fabricated with camber?

• ATo make the member easier to weld in the field
• BTo provide a slight upward sweep that offsets downward dead-load deflection so the instal…
• CTo increase the steel’s yield stress
• DTo eliminate the need for connections at the supports

Who typically prepares structural steel shop drawings, and what must happen before fabrication?

• AThe building inspector sketches them on site after erection starts
• BThe concrete supplier includes them with the mix design
• CThe steel fabricator prepares them from the design drawings, and they are submitted for r…
• DThe excavator prepares them as part of the site plan