All Free Civil Engineering MCQs with Answers

• A. To provide an early indication of probable project cost
• B. To determine the contractor's final payment
• C. To record the measured quantities of completed work
• D. To certify the quality of construction materials

Explanation: A preliminary estimate gives the client an approximate cost for feasibility and budget decisions when design information is incomplete.

• A. Daily rainfall plotted against site temperature
• B. Cumulative cost or progress plotted against time
• C. Material density plotted against moisture content
• D. Labour strength plotted against floor area

Explanation: An S-curve shows cumulative project cost, expenditure, or physical progress against time.

• A. The bidder submitting the highest price
• B. The first bidder delivering its documents
• C. The lowest evaluated responsive bidder
• D. The bidder with the shortest company name

Explanation: Public procurement commonly awards the work to the lowest evaluated bidder that meets the tender requirements and is responsive.

• A. To finance the client's unrelated projects
• B. To pay customs duties on imported equipment
• C. To replace the contractor's performance guarantee in every case
• D. To provide security for proper completion and defect correction

Explanation: Retention provides the client with financial security until the work is properly completed and relevant defects are corrected.

• A. A pre-agreed sum for specified delay or breach
• B. A bonus paid for using fewer materials
• C. A tax charged on the contractor's profit
• D. A provisional amount for design development

Explanation: Liquidated damages are an amount agreed in advance to compensate for a specified breach, commonly delay beyond the contractual completion…

• A. The total contract value per project
• B. The output achieved per unit of labour input
• C. The number of drawings issued per consultant
• D. The percentage of overhead in a tender

Explanation: Labour productivity relates the quantity of work produced to the labour time or labour resources used.

• A. The amount of material wasted by the activity
• B. The cost reserved for unexpected site conditions
• C. The time the activity may slip without delaying project completion
• D. The number of workers assigned to the activity

Explanation: Total float is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the planned project completion date, assuming other relationships…

• A. The foundation depth is ignored in every case
• B. Every wall must have a different measured length
• C. Only the external plaster is measured
• D. The wall thicknesses and junction conditions must be handled consistently

Explanation: The centre-line method uses the total centre-line length of walls and must account correctly for junctions and changes in wall thickness.

• A. To brief workers on task hazards and safe controls
• B. To approve the contractor's final account
• C. To calculate the concrete mix proportion
• D. To negotiate the tendering method with bidders

Explanation: A toolbox talk is a short site safety briefing focused on the hazards and controls for an intended activity.

• A. A final record of all payments already made
• B. Work that was not included in the original sanctioned estimate
• C. A daily register of labour attendance
• D. A replacement for the contractor's tender security

Explanation: A supplementary estimate covers additional work or items not included in the original approved scope, subject to the applicable approval…

• A. The employer, because payment follows actual quantities
• B. The consultant, because design review sets the price
• C. The contractor, because the agreed price is generally fixed
• D. The supplier, because material prices are guaranteed

Explanation: In a lump-sum contract, the contractor agrees to complete the defined work for a stated price.

• A. Payment is based only on measured quantities
• B. Payment is determined by the lowest tendered amount
• C. Payment is made only after a fixed completion date
• D. Payment consists of cost plus an agreed fee or percentage

Explanation: A cost-plus contract reimburses the contractor for allowable project costs and adds an agreed fee or percentage for overhead and profit.

• A. To assess capability, experience, and financial capacity
• B. To determine the final quantity of concrete
• C. To replace the need for drawings and specifications
• D. To calculate the contractor's final account

Explanation: Prequalification screens firms for relevant experience, technical resources, financial strength, and past performance.

• A. Awarding work without any price discussion
• B. Selecting a contractor and agreeing terms through direct negotiation
• C. Inviting every available contractor to submit sealed bids
• D. Using only the lowest rate in a standard schedule

Explanation: In a negotiated contract, the client discusses scope, price, and other terms directly with a selected contractor.

• A. To approve the architect's personal design changes
• B. To list only the contractor's office expenses
• C. To record measured quantities of completed work
• D. To replace the signed construction contract

Explanation: A measurement book records dimensions and quantities of work executed at the site.

• A. Only wages paid to skilled workers
• B. Land value, taxes, rent, interest, and depreciation
• C. Only materials delivered to the site
• D. Materials, labour, equipment, overheads, and profit

Explanation: A complete unit rate commonly includes material, labour, equipment or tools, applicable overheads, and contractor profit.

• A. A reduction in value caused by age, wear, or obsolescence
• B. An increase caused by improved market demand
• C. The contractor's profit added to a measured item
• D. The temporary cost of mobilising site equipment

Explanation: Depreciation is the reduction in value of a building or asset due to physical deterioration, functional inadequacy, or economic…

• A. The ratio of planned value to contract duration
• B. The ratio of earned value to actual cost
• C. The difference between tender and final account
• D. The percentage of work delayed by weather

Explanation: The cost performance index is calculated as earned value divided by actual cost.

• A. To certify the quality of delivered concrete
• B. To define the legal terms of a contract
• C. To display resource demand over time
• D. To calculate the depreciation of equipment

Explanation: A resource histogram displays the required amount of labour, equipment, or another resource during successive time periods.

• A. A final payment certificate
• B. A material delivery note
• C. A plant maintenance register
• D. A request for information

Explanation: A request for information, or RFI, formally asks the designer or responsible authority to clarify an unclear or conflicting requirement.