Vertical Forces (Gravity/Other) and Incidental Lateral Component of

Vertical Forces (Gravity/Other) and Incidental Lateral Component of the

Structural Engineering DEPTH Section CBT Specifications

Effective Beginning April 2024

The Vertical Forces (Gravity/Other) and Incidental Lateral depth section focuses on a single

area of practice in structural engineering. Examinees have 5.5 hours to complete this section, which

contains 5 scenarios with 12 questions each, totaling 60 questions. The 5.5-hour time includes a tutorial

and a scheduled break. The section will contain scored and unscored (pretest) questions. All questions

are alternative item type (AIT) questions. Examinees must choose either the BUILDINGS or the

BRIDGES section. Examinees must work the same section on both components. That is, if bridges is the

section chosen in the Vertical Forces component, then bridges must be the section chosen in the Lateral

Forces component.

The exam section is computer-based. It is closed book with electronic references. The NCEES PE

Structural Engineering Reference Handbook is included in the exam along with the design standards

shown on the last page.

BUILDINGS

The Vertical Forces (Gravity/Other) and Incidental Lateral Structural Engineering depth section

in BUILDINGS covers loads, lateral earth pressures, analysis methods, general structural

considerations (element design), structural systems integration (connections), and foundations and

retaining structures.

This 5.5-hour section contains at least one scenario from each of the following types:

 Steel structure

 Concrete structure

 Wood structure

 Masonry structure

Knowledge areas may include:

 Conceptual design and project planning

 Structural loading and analysis

 Design and details of elements

 Design and details of joints and connections

 Preparation of documents and construction administration

BRIDGES

The Vertical Forces (Gravity/Other) and Incidental Lateral Structural Engineering depth section

in BRIDGES covers gravity loads, superstructures, substructures, and lateral loads other than wind and

seismic.

This 5.5-hour section contains at least one scenario from each of the following areas:

 Concrete superstructure

 Other elements of bridges (e.g., culverts, abutments, retaining walls)

 Steel superstructure

Knowledge areas may include:

 Conceptual design and project planning

 Structural loading and analysis

 Design and preparation of details

Notes:

1. All questions use the U.S. Customary System (USCS) of units.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Design Standards

These standards apply to the Vertical and Lateral components of the Structural Engineering exam.

Effective Beginning April 2024

In addition to the NCEES PE Structural Engineering Reference Handbook, the following codes and

standards will be supplied in the exam as searchable, electronic pdf files with links for easy navigation.

Standards will be provided as individual chapters on the exam, and only one chapter at a time can be

opened and searched. This ensures the exam software runs large files effectively.

Solutions to exam questions that reference a standard of practice are scored based on this list

and the revision year shown. Solutions based on other standards will not receive credit. All

questions use the U.S. Customary System (USCS) of units.

NCEES does not sell design standards or printed copies of the NCEES handbook. The NCEES handbook

is accessible from your MyNCEES account.

ABBREVIATION DESIGN STANDARD TITLE

AASHTO AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 8th edition, American

Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Washington, DC.

IBC International Building Code, 2018 edition, International Code

Council, Falls Church, VA.

ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and

Other Structures, 2016 edition, American Society of Civil Engineers,

Reston, VA.

ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, 2014 edition,

American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.

AISC

Steel Construction Manual, 15th edition, American Institute of Steel

Construction, Chicago, IL.

AISC Seismic Design Manual, 3rd edition, American Institute of Steel

Construction, Chicago, IL.

AISI S100 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel

Structural Members, 2016 edition, with AISI S240-15 and

AISI S400-15/S1-16, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.

NDS National Design Specification for Wood Construction with NDS

Supplement: Design Values for Wood Construction, 2018 edition,

American Wood Council, Leesburg, VA.

NDS Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic, 2015 edition,

American Wood Council, Leesburg, VA.

TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry

Structures, 2016 edition, The Masonry Society, Longmont, CO.