NICET - Highway Construction Inspection Practice Exam

What type of sheet depicts the cross-section view of the road on natural ground?

1. Typical section sheet

2. Profile sheet

3. Plan sheet

4. Cross-section sheet

The correct answer is: Cross-section sheet

The correct answer is the cross-section sheet, which plays a crucial role in highway construction and design. This sheet provides detailed views of the road's cross-section at specific intervals, showing how the road interacts with the natural ground beneath it. A cross-section sheet illustrates the vertical dimensions and the shape of the roadway, including features like the roadbed, shoulder, ditches, and any grading required to accommodate drainage and stability. It is essential for understanding how the proposed road will sit in relation to the existing terrain, enabling engineers and inspectors to visualize how materials will be placed and how the construction will affect the surrounding environment. The other types of sheets serve different purposes. A typical section sheet contains standard details that can be applied throughout a project but does not represent the specific conditions of the natural ground at a particular location. A profile sheet shows a vertical view along the centerline of the road, indicating elevations and vertical features, but does not provide the cross-sectional details necessary to illustrate interaction with natural ground. Lastly, a plan sheet portrays a horizontal view of the road layout and includes features like alignment and relationships with surrounding infrastructure, which does not convey the critical cross-sectional information.