PCS 2: GEOLOGY, GEOHAZARD & ENGINEERING SURVEYOnline version
This assessment covers PCS2 topics: engineering surveys, geology/geohazards, project phases, standards, and equipment. Read each question carefully and select only one best answer.
1
You are a civil engineer designing a 4-storey mixed-use building in Cebu City. The structure has a rectangular footprint of 800 m², and the design requires a 2-meter deep basement.
According to the 2015 National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) Section 303, what is the minimum required borehole depth for this project?
a
5 meters into hard strata
b
2 meters below the basement level
c
Equal to twice the shortest dimension of the footprint plus basement depth
d
3 consecutive SPT N-values of 15
2
Your client asks for official flood and earthquake-induced landslide risk data for their project site in Leyte.
Which agency and tool provide the official, government-validated geohazard assessment for Philippine construction projects?
a
PHIVOLCS using Volcano Monitor PH
b
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) via HazardHunterPH
c
ASEAN Disaster Information Network portal
d
Local city engineering office zoning maps
3
You are leading the survey for a 5-kilometer road project in Cebu Province, required to follow official Philippine engineering standards.
Which set of datums and coordinate system must you use for this project?
a
Vertical: Local benchmark; Horizontal: WGS84 GPS system
b
Vertical: Mean Sea Level; Horizontal: PRS'92 / Philippine Transverse Mercator (PTM)
c
Vertical: Mean Sea Level; Horizontal: Google Maps coordinate system
d
Vertical: Project-assumed zero; Horizontal: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
4
You are preparing survey data to support the preliminary design of a new coastal highway. The design team requires all baseline data plus external factors that may affect the project.
Which set of documents and external factor framework must you compile to meet requirements?
a
Topographic plan only; use SWOT analysis for external factors
b
Topographic, hydrographic, soil, and traffic data; use PESTEL framework
c
Right-of-way and parcellary plans only; use cost-benefit analysis
d
Aerial imagery and drone scans; use hazard risk matrix only
5
You are setting control monuments for a new highway alignment.
Which spacing arrangement strictly follows the standard requirements?
a
Primary GPS control every 2 km; Secondary every 300 m
b
Secondary project control every 500 m; Intermediate benchmarks every 250 m
c
Primary GPS control every 5 km; Secondary every 750 m
d
All benchmarks spaced every 500 m with no intermediate points
6
You are documenting the purpose of engineering surveys for different project stages.
Which statement correctly describes the survey's role during project execution and completion?
a
Execution: rough alignment estimates; Completion: feasibility validation
b
Execution: set baseline for horizontal/vertical alignment; Completion: measure deviation between design and finished works
c
Execution: final quantity takeoff; Completion: secure right-of-way boundaries
d
Execution: quality control for material supply; Completion: update satellite imagery
7
Your team needs to mark exact column positions for a 5-storey building, requiring the highest possible horizontal accuracy.
Which instrument is most appropriate for this task?
a
RTK-GNSS receiver
b
Drone photogrammetry system
c
Total Station
d
Terrestrial 3D laser scanner
8
You are planning a survey for a site located in a narrow valley surrounded by tall trees and buildings.
What is the main limitation of using RTK-GNSS for this project?
a
Cannot collect data at night
b
Accuracy depends on satellite availability, geometry, and obstructions
c
Requires pre-marked control points for every reading
d
Cannot measure horizontal coordinates directly
9
You are tasked to map riverbed depths and profile for a new bridge crossing.
Which instrument and method is designed specifically for this work?
a
3D laser scanner mounted on drone
b
Echosounder on an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)
c
Total Station set up on riverbanks
d
Aerial photogrammetry from low altitude
10
You need to capture full spatial details of an existing heritage building to plan safe retrofitting works. Which tool is most suitable?
a
Total Station
b
Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanner
c
Echosounder
d
RTK-GNSS
Feedback
1
Explanation: NSCP 2015 requires boreholes for buildings with basements to extend to twice the least dimension of the footprint plus the basement depth; 5m minimum applies only when no basement is specified.
2
Explanation: HazardHunterPH is the official national geohazard assessment tool managed by MGB, integrating data from MGB and PHIVOLCS.
3
Explanation: Official Philippine engineering surveys use Mean Sea Level as vertical datum, and the Philippine Reference System of 1992 (PRS'92) / PTM as the standard horizontal coordinate system.
4
Explanation: Required design data includes topographic, hydrographic, soil, traffic, and hydrologic data; external factors follow the PESTEL framework (Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal).
5
Explanation: Standards require primary GPS control every 3 km, secondary control every 500 m, and intermediate control/benchmarks every 250 m.
6
Explanation: Surveys provide the reference baseline for layout during construction, and verify as-built compliance with design at project turnover.
7
Explanation: Total Stations combine theodolite and EDM for higher precision than GNSS/RTK, making them ideal for high-accuracy structural layout.
8
Explanation: GNSS/RTK performance is heavily affected by obstructions, signal reflection, and satellite coverage — common issues in built-up or enclosed terrain.
9
Explanation: Echosounders use acoustic pulses to measure underwater distances, and paired with USVs provide efficient, accurate hydrographic data for marine/river infrastructure.
10
Explanation: 3D laser scanners quickly and accurately capture complete spatial details of existing structures, ideal for retrofitting or documentation.
Test your knowledge about the 5 seeing habits discussed in the text 'UPS 5 seeing habits'.
Tissues - Practice Quiz