All Free Civil Engineering MCQs with Answers
Every Civil Engineering question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
631 questions · page 7 of 32
- A. To divide the project scope into manageable work packages
- B. To calculate the final profit earned by the contractor
- C. To replace the contract drawings with site sketches
- D. To determine the statutory tax payable on materials
Explanation: A work breakdown structure decomposes the project scope into smaller deliverable-oriented work packages.
Correct answer: To divide the project scope into manageable work packages- A. Material prices plotted against quantities
- B. Activities plotted against calendar time
- C. Contract clauses plotted against payment dates
- D. Equipment capacities plotted against fuel use
Explanation: A Gantt chart shows activities as bars placed along a time scale, including their planned start and finish dates.
Correct answer: Activities plotted against calendar time- A. To guarantee the quality of completed workmanship
- B. To pay the contractor's monthly site expenses
- C. To discourage withdrawal after tender submission
- D. To cover defects discovered after maintenance
Explanation: Bid security protects the client if a successful bidder withdraws or refuses to sign the contract under the tender conditions.
Correct answer: To discourage withdrawal after tender submission- A. Delayed payment of wages to the contractor's workers
- B. A rise in the market price of construction materials
- C. Errors in the employer's preliminary cost estimate
- D. Failure of the contractor to perform contractual obligations
Explanation: A performance bond provides financial protection if the contractor fails to perform the contract as required.
Correct answer: Failure of the contractor to perform contractual obligations- A. To adjust the contract price for specified cost changes
- B. To increase the contractor's profit by a fixed percentage
- C. To transfer all design responsibility to the contractor
- D. To replace measurement of work with visual inspection
Explanation: A price escalation clause permits specified contract rates or prices to be adjusted when defined input costs, such as labour or materials…
Correct answer: To adjust the contract price for specified cost changes- A. A rough project description and an assumed profit margin
- B. Completed drawings, specifications, and measured quantities
- C. The contractor's previous invoice and current bank balance
- D. The site area alone and a general market allowance
Explanation: A detailed estimate is based on developed drawings, technical specifications, quantity take-off, and analysed rates.
Correct answer: Completed drawings, specifications, and measured quantities- A. The tender security and the contract duration
- B. The concrete volume and the cement content
- C. The expected net income and a capitalization rate
- D. The land area and the number of site workers
Explanation: The capitalization method converts expected net operating income into a present value by applying an appropriate capitalization rate.
Correct answer: The expected net income and a capitalization rate- A. Tiles permanently fixed to a finished floor
- B. Bricks permanently incorporated into a wall
- C. Steel bars permanently incorporated into a slab
- D. Temporary site office and site supervision
Explanation: Site overhead includes project-specific expenses such as temporary facilities, site supervision, utilities, and security.
Correct answer: Temporary site office and site supervision- A. To predict the timing of project receipts and payments
- B. To determine the compressive strength of concrete cubes
- C. To identify the legal ownership of construction equipment
- D. To replace the method statement for a site activity
Explanation: A cash flow forecast estimates when money will be received and spent during the project.
Correct answer: To predict the timing of project receipts and payments- A. Every contractor in the market is invited without screening
- B. Only selected qualified contractors are invited to tender
- C. The contract is awarded without comparing any submitted price
- D. The client purchases materials without appointing a contractor
Explanation: Selective tendering restricts invitations to contractors who meet stated qualification or experience requirements.
Correct answer: Only selected qualified contractors are invited to tender- A. Critical Path Method
- B. Line of Balance method
- C. Program Evaluation and Review Technique
- D. Bar chart method
Explanation: PERT uses optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic time estimates to deal with uncertainty.
Correct answer: Program Evaluation and Review Technique- A. The final account has already been settled
- B. The contractor submits the first interim bill
- C. The site layout requires minor rearrangement
- D. The approved cost is expected to be exceeded substantially
Explanation: A revised estimate updates the sanctioned cost when changes in quantities, rates, or scope are likely to cause a substantial excess.
Correct answer: The approved cost is expected to be exceeded substantially- A. Item-wise amounts with the total estimated cost
- B. Only the project drawings and specifications
- C. Only the contractor's proposed construction programme
- D. Daily records of labour and equipment use
Explanation: An abstract of cost summarizes the estimated amount for each work item and adds these amounts to show the total cost.
Correct answer: Item-wise amounts with the total estimated cost- A. To certify the final value of completed work
- B. To describe how a particular work activity will be carried out
- C. To replace the contract drawings after award
- D. To record payments made to subcontractors
Explanation: A method statement sets out the planned sequence, resources, controls, and sometimes hazards for carrying out a specific activity.
Correct answer: To describe how a particular work activity will be carried out- A. Compressive strength after curing
- B. Cement chemical composition
- C. Workability and consistency
- D. Resistance to reinforcement corrosion
Explanation: The slump test gives a practical indication of the consistency and workability of fresh concrete.
Correct answer: Workability and consistency- A. The sequence of activities in the baseline programme
- B. The original quantities used for tender pricing
- C. The approved list of project suppliers
- D. Outstanding defects or incomplete work before handover
Explanation: A punch list identifies minor defects, omissions, and unfinished items that must be corrected before completion or handover.
Correct answer: Outstanding defects or incomplete work before handover- A. To help the contractor establish resources and start site operations
- B. To compensate the employer for delayed completion
- C. To settle the contractor's final profit before completion
- D. To replace retention money throughout the contract
Explanation: Mobilisation advance provides early funds for bringing labour, equipment, temporary facilities, and materials to the site.
Correct answer: To help the contractor establish resources and start site operations- A. Ordinary errors in quantity measurement
- B. Exceptional events beyond the parties' reasonable control
- C. Routine increases in contractor productivity
- D. Minor changes in the contractor's site office
Explanation: Force majeure provisions address extraordinary events such as severe natural disasters or certain government actions that prevent or…
Correct answer: Exceptional events beyond the parties' reasonable control- A. The main contractor
- B. The material supplier
- C. The employer's design consultant
- D. The site safety officer
Explanation: In traditional procurement, the employer or its design consultant generally completes the design and specifications before inviting…
Correct answer: The employer's design consultant- A. Tender advertisement cost
- B. Land acquisition cost
- C. Architectural design fee
- D. Fuel consumption
Explanation: Fuel is consumed as equipment operates, so its cost is commonly related to machine hours or output.
Correct answer: Fuel consumption