11 exam domains
Follow the NCEES PE Civil Construction outline through 121 concept explanations. Color construction views, assembly renderings and diagrams connect physical systems to analytical models.
← Compare both exam editions
April 2027 onward edition
PE Civil Construction
Illustrated Concepts and Engineering Decisions
304 pagesIllustrated ebook
For exams beginning April 1, 2027. Connect construction systems, applied theory and reference navigation.
Built for engineers with limited study time. Follow the ReasonSpan™ Decision Compass from a controlling fact to a defensible approach, then test whether that approach survives a changed condition.
$99 launch offer ends November 2 at 8 a.m. Pacific; standard price $129. Personalized PDF for one candidate. Online-program enrollment is separate. Preview 20 selected pages before purchasing.
Updated for the April 2027 reference assignment
The exam outline still has 11 domains. This edition updates the reference guide, Decision Compass, concrete explanations and recordkeeping guidance for exams beginning April 1, 2027.
- The worked traffic-control taper example uses MUTCD Section 6B.08 and Tables 6B-3/6B-4.
- The former standalone masonry-bracing reference is no longer assigned.
| Subject | Reference basis |
|---|---|
| Structural concrete | ACI 318, 2019 (2022), commonly ACI 318-19(22) |
| Formwork | ACI SP-4, 8th edition (2014), including ACI 347R in its appendix |
| Steel | AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th edition, identified as 2022 by NCEES |
| Construction loads | ASCE 37-14, 2nd edition (2015) |
| Concrete mixtures | PCA EB001, 17th edition (2021) |
| Temporary traffic control | MUTCD Part 6, 11th edition (2023) |
| Safety and recordkeeping | 29 CFR (2024): Parts 1903, 1904 and 1926 |
The official NCEES reference assignment controls the titles and editions for your appointment. Check it again if your date changes.
Inside this 304-page book
Build understanding, work through examples and learn how to choose an approach before calculating.
58 original questions
Practice with 33 chapter questions and step-by-step solutions, plus 25 conceptual questions with four answer choices and separate answer rationales. Each question explanation concludes with a Key Takeaway and Transfer box to consolidate the lesson and apply it to a changed condition.
The Decision Compass
Use 105 decision routes and 11 worked cases to recognize question clues, select a model, find the reference and check assumptions.
Focused review tools
Use chapter readiness checks and a linked subject finder to identify what needs attention and return to the right explanation.
More worked applications
Additional examples connect the theory to practical construction decisions:
- Materials and quantities: rebar area, weight and cost; cement-sack quantities; concrete curing and maturity; portland-cement Types I–V.
- Soils and water: localized surcharge pressure and influence graphs; vertical stress beneath strip and square footings; mass density versus unit weight; USCS classification; long-term rotational slope stability; pump selection.
- Structures and construction: shaft torsion, pile-driving energy, wind-to-brace force calculations and multistory shoring removal.
- Safety and reference use: OSHA shoring and scaffold table lookups.
How the book and online program work together
The book stands on its own. It explains the concepts and the ReasonSpan™ approach through self-contained examples.
The separate online program at reasonspan.com adds guided practice, timed questions and performance feedback. Use it to practice the reasoning introduced in the book and identify what to review next.
The current online PE Civil Construction program is for exams through March 2027. Check a program’s published exam-date coverage before enrolling.