General Engineering Contractor

7056. A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, including the following divisions or subjects: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, powerhouses, power plants and other utility plants and installations, mines and metallurgical plants, land leveling and earthmoving projects, excavating, grading, trenching, paving and surfacing work and cement and concrete works in connection with the above mentioned fixed works.

The General Engineering (A) Examination is divided into eight major sections. These sections are:

1. Estimation, Plans, and Specifications (20%)

• Plans and specifications
• Estimation
• Standards, codes, & regulations
• General building mathematics

2. Principles of Structures (8%)

• Structural framing
• Seismic safety
• Basic engineering

3. Safety (18%)

• Worker and site safety
• Traffic control
• Environmental impact

4. Earthwork and Surveying (15%)

• Earthwork
• Soils and geology
• Surveying
• Site preparation

5. Subsurface Work (20%)

• Shoring and scaffolding
• Permanent and temporary piling
• Waterproofing
• Utilities
• Tunneling, drilling, and boring
• Drainage and water work
• Trenching and pipeline
• Sewers, water, and storm drain systems

6. Foundation and Form Work (9%)

• Concrete principles and placement
• Forms and falsework
• Foundations

7. Buildings and Related Work (5%)

• Industrial plants
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
• Masonry
• Painting and coating
• Demolition

8. Surface Work and Paving (5%)

• Highways and roads
• Parking lots

*Percentages are approximate*

The following questions are typical of the types of items that are on the examination. The correct answer is highlighted.

1. What is the volume of a cylinder if the diameter equals 2 feet and the length equals 4 feet?

a.       8.00 cubic feet

b.      12.56 cubic feet

c.       25.12 cubic feet

d.       50.24 cubic feet

2. In a temperate area, which of the following is NOT a significant factor that influences soil compaction?

a.       the amount of moisture present during compaction

b.       the type of material to be compacted

c.       the temperature of the soil

d.       the depth of each lift being compacted

3. High frequency vibration used to compact freshly poured concrete results in which of the following?

a.      higher lateral pressures

b.       lower lateral pressures

c.       faster curing time

d.       slower curing time

*All questions are written and reviewed by licensed contractors who are actively working in the field*

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California Building Code.

International Conference of Building Officials Headquarters,

5360 Workman Mill Road.

Whittier, CA 90601-2298.

(800) 284-4406

FAX: (888) 329-4226

INTERNET: www.iccsafe.org

California Electrical Code.

California Building Standards Commission.

2525 Natomas Park Dr. Ste. 130,

Sacramento, CA 95833.

(916) 263-0916.

FAX: (916) 263-0959.

INTERNET: www.bsc.ca.gov

California Fire Code.

California Building Standards Commission.

2525 Natomas Park Dr. Ste, 130,

Sacramento, CA 95833.

(916) 263-0916.

FAX: (916) 263-0959.

INTERNET: www.bsc.ca.gov

Cal/OSHA State of California Construction Safety Orders.

California Code of Regulations, Title 8,

Industrial Relations, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4,

Barclays Law Publishers,

P.O. Box 95767,

Chicago, IL 60694.

(800) 888-3600.

FAX: (415) 732-8875.

OR

Building News, Inc.

1612 S. Clementine Street,

Anaheim, CA 92802.

(800) 873-6397

FAX: (714) 535-8078.

INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov or www.bnibooks.com

Construction Planning Equipment and Methods.

McGraw-Hill, Inc.,

P.O. Box 182604,

Columbus, OH 43272-3001.

(800) 262-4729.

FAX: (614) 759-3759.

INTERNET: www.mcgraw-hill.com

Excavation and Grading Handbook.

Craftsman Book Company,

P.O. Box 6500,

Carlsbad, CA 92018.

(800) 829-8123.

FAX: (760) 438-0398.

INTERNET: www.craftsman-book.com

Formwork for Concrete.

American Concrete Institute,

P.O. Box 9094,

Farmington Hills, MI 48333.

(248) 848-3700.

FAX: (248) 848-3701

INTERNET: www.aci-int.org/

Standard Plans, State of California Department of Transportation.

CALTRANS Publications Unit,

1900 Royal Oaks Drive,

Sacramento, CA 95815-3800.

(916) 445-3520.

FAX: (916) 324-8997.

INTERNET: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_plans/index.htm

Standard Specifications, State of California Department of Transportation.

CALTRANS Publications Unit,

1900 Royal Oaks Drive,

Sacramento, CA 95815-3800.

(916) 445-3520.

FAX: (916) 324-8997.

INTERNET: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_plans/index.htm

Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction. (Green Book)

BNI News

1612 So. Clementine St.,

Anaheim, CA 92802.

(714) 517-0970.

FAX: (714) 535-8078

INTERNET: www.bnibooks.com

Underground Tank Regulations.

California Code of Regulations.

Title 23, Waters, Division 3, Chapter 16.

Barclays Law Publishers,

P.O. Box 95767,

Chicago, IL 60694.

(800) 888-3600.

FAX: (415) 732-8875.

INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov

*Publisher information is current as of 5/04*