100+ Free SE Vertical Forces Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Per ASCE 7-22 Table 4.3-1, what is the typical minimum uniformly distributed live load for office buildings (general office areas)?

40 psf

50 psf

60 psf

100 psf

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SE Vertical Forces Exam

$425

Per Module

NCEES

~5 hrs

Module Length

NCEES

Total Modules

NCEES

Apr 2024

CBT Launch

NCEES

70-80

Items per Module

NCEES

HL-93

Bridge Live Load

AASHTO LRFD 9

SE Vertical covers gravity-only design for buildings and bridges. NCEES scores against IBC 2018, ASCE 7-2016, ACI 318-2014, AISC 15th + 3rd Seismic, NDS-2018 + SDPWS-2015, TMS 402-2016, and AASHTO LRFD. Each depth module is 6.5 hours (April 2026 extension) and $350 at Pearson VUE. Since the April 2024 CBT transition, candidates can take Vertical Buildings and Vertical Bridges separately or in the same window. First-time module pass rates have hovered near 15-25%.

Sample SE Vertical Forces Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SE Vertical Forces exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per ASCE 7-22 Table 4.3-1, what is the typical minimum uniformly distributed live load for office buildings (general office areas)?

A.40 psf

B.50 psf

C.60 psf

D.100 psf

Explanation: ASCE 7-22 Table 4.3-1 specifies a minimum uniformly distributed live load of 50 psf for general office occupancy. Lobbies and first-floor corridors of office buildings carry a higher 100 psf live load to account for assembly-type traffic, and corridors above the first floor are typically 80 psf.

2An interior column on the second floor of a four-story office building supports a tributary area of 800 sq ft per floor for three floors above. Using ASCE 7-22 live load reduction (KLL = 4 for an interior column), what is the reduction multiplier applied to the unreduced live load?

A.1.00 (no reduction permitted)

B.0.50

C.0.40

D.0.25

Explanation: ASCE 7-22 Eq. 4.7-1 gives L = Lo × (0.25 + 15/√(KLL·AT)). With KLL = 4 and AT = 800·3 = 2400 sq ft, KLL·AT = 9600. So multiplier = 0.25 + 15/√9600 = 0.25 + 15/97.98 = 0.25 + 0.153 = 0.403 ≈ 0.40. The reduction is capped at L ≥ 0.4·Lo for members supporting two or more floors, which this satisfies.

3Per ASCE 7-22, the flat-roof snow load pf is computed as pf = 0.7·Ce·Ct·Is·pg. A heated commercial building (Risk Category II) sits in a partially exposed terrain with pg = 40 psf. With Ce = 1.0, Ct = 1.0, and Is = 1.0, what is pf?

A.20 psf

B.28 psf

C.32 psf

D.40 psf

Explanation: pf = 0.7 × 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 × 40 = 28 psf. The 0.7 factor accounts for the conversion of ground snow load to balanced flat-roof snow load on a non-sheltered, heated structure with normal occupancy.

4Per ASCE 7-22, a structure heated to keep interior temperature above 50°F is considered which thermal category, and what is its Ct value?

A.Heated, Ct = 1.0

B.Heated, Ct = 1.1

C.Unheated, Ct = 1.2

D.Open-air, Ct = 1.3

Explanation: ASCE 7-22 Table 7.3-2 assigns Ct = 1.0 to structures kept above 50°F (typical heated structures). Ct = 1.1 applies to structures kept just above freezing, Ct = 1.2 to unheated structures, and Ct = 1.3 to open-air structures and structures intentionally kept below freezing. A higher Ct increases pf because cold roofs accumulate more snow.

5On a sloped roof in ASCE 7-22, the sloped-roof snow load is ps = Cs·pf. A warm (Ct ≤ 1.0) unobstructed slippery roof has Cs = 1.0 from 0° to what slope before Cs begins to decrease?

A.5°

B.15°

C.30°

D.45°

Explanation: For a warm unobstructed slippery roof, Cs = 1.0 from 0° to 15°, then decreases linearly to Cs = 0 at 70°. The reduction reflects snow sliding off steeper slippery surfaces. For non-slippery warm roofs Cs = 1.0 up to 30°, and for unheated/cold roofs the breakpoints shift higher again.

6Per ASCE 7-22 drift snow provisions, the maximum drift surcharge density γ used in computing the leeward drift triangle is approximately:

A.0.13·pg + 14 (pcf)

B.0.6·pg + 10 (pcf)

C.1.0·pg (pcf)

D.Equal to soil unit weight, 120 pcf

Explanation: ASCE 7-22 specifies snow density γ = 0.13·pg + 14 (with γ ≤ 30 pcf). This empirical relation is used to convert the drift surcharge load (in psf) into a drift height hd, since the drift is modeled as a triangular surcharge with peak load hd·γ.

7ASCE 7-22 requires rain load checks (R = 5.2·(ds + dh)) where ds and dh are the depths in inches at the secondary drainage. What does dh represent?

A.Depth of standing water at design storm

B.Hydraulic head above the secondary drain inlet

C.Depth of accumulated debris

D.Drain pipe diameter

Explanation: dh is the additional hydraulic head (depth of water) that develops above the inlet of the secondary (overflow) drainage system when the primary drains are blocked and water flows through the secondary at design storm intensity. ds is the static head from the secondary inlet to the roof low point. R = 5.2·(ds + dh) gives rain load in psf (5.2 = 62.4 pcf × 1/12 inch-to-ft).

8An office floor with self-weight of 75 psf supports an unreduced live load of 50 psf. Using ASCE 7-22 LRFD combination 1.2D + 1.6L, what is the factored uniform floor load?

A.110 psf

B.125 psf

C.170 psf

D.200 psf

Explanation: 1.2(75) + 1.6(50) = 90 + 80 = 170 psf. ASCE 7-22 LRFD combination 2 (1.2D + 1.6L) typically governs gravity-only design when L is significant. Snow, rain, and other live loads are checked in their own combinations.

9In ACI 318-19, β1 (the depth ratio of the equivalent rectangular stress block to neutral axis depth) is 0.85 for f'c ≤ 4000 psi. What is β1 for f'c = 8000 psi?

A.0.85

B.0.75

C.0.65

D.0.55

Explanation: ACI 318-19 Table 22.2.2.4.3: β1 = 0.85 - 0.05·(f'c - 4000)/1000 for 4000 < f'c ≤ 8000 psi, with a lower bound of 0.65. For f'c = 8000: β1 = 0.85 - 0.05·(4) = 0.65. Above 8000 psi, β1 stays at the 0.65 floor.

10In ACI 318-19 strength design, a flexural section is classified as 'tension-controlled' when the net tensile strain in the extreme tension steel εt at nominal strength is at least:

A.0.002

B.0.004

C.0.005

D.0.0075

Explanation: ACI 318-19 defines tension-controlled sections as those with εt ≥ εty + 0.003, which for Grade 60 steel (εty = 0.00207) is 0.005. Tension-controlled sections receive the full strength reduction factor φ = 0.90 for flexure. Sections with εt below the compression-control limit (≤ εty) get φ = 0.65 (tied) or 0.75 (spiral). Linear interpolation handles the transition zone.

About the SE Vertical Forces Exam

The Vertical Forces division of the NCEES SE exam covers gravity-only structural design — dead, live, snow, rain, and ice loads — for both buildings and bridges. Since April 2024 the SE exam is delivered as four standalone computer-based modules at Pearson VUE: Vertical Buildings, Vertical Bridges, Lateral Buildings, and Lateral Bridges. Each depth module was extended to 6.5 hours in April 2026, costs $350, and is graded pass/fail independently. Candidates can sit Vertical Buildings and Vertical Bridges in the same testing window. NCEES scores against the published design-standard list effective April 2024: IBC 2018, ASCE 7-2016, ACI 318-2014, AISC 15th Steel Construction Manual, AISC 3rd Seismic Manual, NDS-2018 + SDPWS-2015, TMS 402/602-2016, AISI S100-2016, and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (current NCEES list). Wind and seismic design live in the separate Lateral modules.

Assessment

Computer-based since April 2024 (extended to 6.5 hours April 2026). Each depth module delivers 60 items (40 scored + 20 pretest) across five 12-question scenarios mixing multiple-choice with alternative item types (point-and-click, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank). Vertical Buildings and Vertical Bridges are separate 6.5-hour modules; both fall under the Vertical Forces division and are graded pass/fail independently.

Time Limit

6.5 hours per depth module (Vertical Buildings, Vertical Bridges)

Passing Score

Scaled (NCEES — pass/fail; no published cut score)

Exam Fee

$350 per module ($700 for both Vertical depth modules) (NCEES (Pearson VUE))

SE Vertical Forces Exam Content Outline

30%

ASCE 7-22 Building Loads

Dead, live (Tables 4.3-1, 4.5-1), live load reduction (Eq. 4.7-1), snow (pg, Ce, Ct, Cs, drift, sliding, unbalanced), rain ponding, atmospheric ice

25%

Building Material Design

ACI 318-19 (β1, ρ_max, T-beams, deflection, development length, shear, columns), AISC 360-22 (LRFD/ASD beams with Cb, columns with KL/r, composite beams, plate girders), TMS 402-22 masonry, NDS-2018 sawn lumber, glulam, CLT, mass timber

10%

Foundations under Gravity

Spread footings, isolated column footings, mat foundations, deep foundations (driven piles, drilled shafts), bearing capacity and one-way/two-way shear checks

20%

AASHTO Bridge Loads

HL-93 design truck + lane + tandem (AASHTO 3.6.1.2), IM = 33% dynamic load allowance, multiple presence factors (Table 3.6.1.1.2-1), influence lines, AASHTO Strength I, Service I-III, Fatigue I-II load combinations

15%

Bridge Member Design

Prestressed concrete I-girders (Class U/T/C tension limits, transfer/development length, friction/anchorage losses), composite steel I-girders, plate girders, bridge deck design (empirical and traditional)

How to Pass the SE Vertical Forces Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled (NCEES — pass/fail; no published cut score)
Assessment: Computer-based since April 2024 (extended to 6.5 hours April 2026). Each depth module delivers 60 items (40 scored + 20 pretest) across five 12-question scenarios mixing multiple-choice with alternative item types (point-and-click, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank). Vertical Buildings and Vertical Bridges are separate 6.5-hour modules; both fall under the Vertical Forces division and are graded pass/fail independently.
Time limit: 6.5 hours per depth module (Vertical Buildings, Vertical Bridges)
Exam fee: $350 per module ($700 for both Vertical depth modules)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SE Vertical Forces Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master ASCE 7-22 Chapter 4 (live loads) and Chapter 7 (snow loads) — these tables drive the majority of building gravity questions

2Memorize HL-93: design truck (8-32-32 kip axles, 14 ft + variable spacing), 0.64 klf lane load, 25-kip tandem; combine per AASHTO 3.6.1.3

3Internalize the IM = 33% dynamic load allowance — applied to truck/tandem and only to the truck/tandem effect, never to the lane load

4Practice ACI 318-19 flexural design end-to-end: β1 by f'c, ρ_max via 0.005 strain limit, doubly-reinforced beams, T-beams, deflection (immediate plus long-term λ_Δ)

5Know AISC 360-22 Cb formula and lateral-torsional buckling Lp/Lr regions cold — these appear in both building and bridge problems

6For prestressed bridge girders, distinguish Class U / T / C (uncracked / transition / cracked) tension limits and the corresponding service combinations

7Build a one-page snow-load checklist: pg → pf (Ce, Ct, Is) → ps (Cs) → drift (leeward and windward) → unbalanced/sliding

8Time-box practice at ~4-5 minutes per item; use the NCEES electronic reference handbook for every problem so you learn its layout

9Drill load combinations until automatic: ASCE 7-22 Section 2 for buildings, AASHTO 3.4.1 (Strength I, Service I/III, Fatigue I/II) for bridges

10Review TMS 402-22 masonry and NDS-2018 wood basics — they are low-frequency but easy points if you're prepared

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed when the SE exam went CBT in April 2024?

NCEES retired the legacy paper format and split the SE exam into four standalone computer-based modules: Vertical Buildings, Vertical Bridges, Lateral Buildings, and Lateral Bridges. Each module is approximately 5 hours, costs $425, and is administered at Pearson VUE test centers. Candidates can take modules in any order, in the same window, or across multiple windows. Each module is graded pass/fail independently.

Does Vertical Forces cover both buildings and bridges?

Yes. The Vertical Forces division covers gravity loads — dead, live, snow, rain, and ice — for both buildings (Vertical Buildings module) and bridges (Vertical Bridges module). Buildings emphasize ASCE 7-22 loads plus ACI 318-19, AISC 360-22, NDS-2018, and TMS 402-22 design. Bridges use AASHTO LRFD 9th Edition with HL-93 vehicular live loading. Wind and earthquake forces are tested in the Lateral modules.

What design codes are used in 2026?

Confirmed reference editions for 2026 administrations: ACI 318-19, AISC 360-22, ASCE 7-22, IBC 2024, NDS-2018, TMS 402-22, and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 9th Edition with current interim revisions. NCEES provides electronic searchable PDFs of these references during the CBT exam — no personal materials are allowed.

What is the SE Vertical pass rate?

NCEES does not publish module-level pass rates separately, but reported first-time pass rates since the CBT transition have hovered around 35-45% for the structural exam overall. Vertical is widely considered slightly more approachable than Lateral because it does not include seismic detailing or wind force resisting system design.

Can I take Vertical Buildings and Vertical Bridges in one sitting?

No — each module is its own ~5-hour appointment and its own $425 fee. However, candidates routinely schedule both modules in the same testing window, often back-to-back days, while gravity-load topics are still fresh. NCEES allows up to three attempts per module per 12-month period.

How are the modules scored?

Each module contains roughly 70-80 items including multiple-choice and alternative item types (point-and-click, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank). Scoring is scaled, not a fixed percentage. NCEES reports only pass/fail with diagnostic feedback for failed attempts. The exam is closed-book aside from the NCEES-supplied electronic references.