After completing your degree,every civil engineer has made a mindset  to prepare and sit in an interview.During an interview,there are lots of candidates who have applied for the particular post and you are on among them.Firstly,you have to be confident and mentally stable.Being lazy is not a good thing.I will tell you that most probably somebody who has interviewed from many years will not only see your skills but that person will check your presence of mind with tricky and out of box elements.If you meet the required skills of the interviewer,then you are really the one to be hired.


top civil engineering questions

In this article, I will give a briefing regarding the important questions that are asked in civil engineering during an interview.So my dear civil engineer’s you must go through these questions that are as follows:-


Q1. What is the function of Column in the building?

Column is a vertical member of a building that support structural load transferred by the whole structure through Beams. After that column transfers the load to the Footing and finally Footing transfers the load to the land.

Q2. When the possibility of Segregation of concrete is more?

a) When the water-cement ratio is high,

b) If the ratio of coarser aggregate is much more than the other proportion,

c) Coarser grading

Q3. What is the least cover provided for different RCC members?

Footing – 50 mm,

Column – 40 mm,

Beam – 25 mm,

Slab – 20 mm.

Q4. What is the full form of TMT bar?

Thermo Mechanical Treatment. Generally we use TMT bars and sheet for construction purposes for the reason that they have high strength and high corrosion resistance compared to normal steels.

Q5. What do you mean by Honeycomb in Concrete?

Honeycomb means Void. It is also known as Air Pocket.

Q6. What are Deflection and Deformation?

Deflection is temporary displacement whereas Deformation is permanent displacement.

Q7. What are the methods of curing?

 a) Spraying,

 b) Wet covering of a surface,

 c) Ponding,

 d) Application of curing compound,

 e) Steam curing.

Q8. What is the formula for weight of steel?

Weight of steel in kg can be calculate by formula (D^2*L)/162; where D is diameter of steel bar in millimeter and L is total length of steel bar in metre.

Q9.What is difference between working stress method and limit state method?

Working stress method is an elastic design method in which structure is designed to bear the load upto elastic limit. Whereas, limit state method is a plastic design method in which structure is designed to bear the load beyond plastic limit.

Q10. What is guniting?

It is a process in which mixture of cement & sand in proportion of 1:3 is shooted on concrete surface with the help of cement gun under pressure of 2 to 3 kg/c㎡. It is a highly effective process for repairing concrete walls or damaged surfaces.

Q11. What is the initial and final setting time of ideal cement mix?

Initial setting time for ideal cement mix is around 30 minutes for almost all kind of cements. For masonry cement it can be 90minutes. Final setting time of ideal cement mix should be 10 hours at maximum. For masonry cement it shouldn’t exceed 24 hours.

Q12. Does Water damage concrete?

Plain concrete is not affected or damaged by water but Reinforced Concrete (RCC) can be damaged due to water. This is because the water may seep into the concrete and corrode the steel reinforcement inside.

Q13. What is the cement sand & aggregate ratios for various grades of concrete mix?

        M10 – 1:3:6

        M15 – 1:2:4

        M20 – 1:1.5:3

        M25 – 1:1:2

Q14. What field tests are required for quality check of cement?

Quality of cement can be checked with color, physical properties, etc. Cement should have grey color with light greenish shade. It should feel smooth when rubbed between fingers. If hand is inserted in a heap of cement or its bags, it should feel cool. When pinch of cement is thrown in Water then cement should float for some time before it sink. Also, it should be lump free.

Q15. What is the function of sand in mortar?

The main role of sand (aggregate) in mortar or plaster is to provide core strength, but it has other benefits too. If water is mixed with binder without adding sand to the mixture, both compressive and tensile strength of the mixture would be drastically lower than in mixture with added sand. It also helps to prevent mortar shrinkage, increases density and helps in setting.

Q16. What the steps involved in Building Construction?

There are different steps involved in Building construction such as:

1.       Concreting.

2.       Masonry work.

3.       Plastering work.

4.       Flooring work.

5.       Formwork.

6.       Steel cutting and Bending.

Q17.What is the accuracy of the dumpy level or minimum reading we can take?

With the help of a dumpy level we can take up 5mm accurate reading or minimum reading.

Q18. What is the size of a concrete cube?

 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm

Q19. What do you do if any concrete cube fails in 28 days compressive strength test?

If the concrete cube fails in strength test, conduct a core cutter test on concrete and send a report to higher authorities.

Q20. In Residential Building, Average Value of Stair Width?

900 mm

Q21. The Slope of Stair Should not  Exceed.

 40º

Q22. Minimum diameter of steel in Column.

12 mm

Q23.Standard Size of Brick?

19 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm

Q24. What is Unit Weight of RCC?

2500 kg/ m³

Q25. One Acre = ____________Sq. ft.

 43560 Sq. ft.

Q26. What is the Full Form of UTM?

 Universal Testing Machine

Q27. Cement Expire After?

3 months

Q28. One square meter = _________ Sq. ft?

10.76 Sq. ft

Q29. What is unit weight of 25 mm Steel Bars

3.85 kg/m

Q30. One Hectare = _______Acres

 2.47  Acres

Q31. One Gallon = ________Liters

 3.78 Liters

Q32. One kilonewton is equal to _________ kilograms

101.97 KG

Q33. One Tonne is equal to _________ kilograms

1000 KG

Q34. Maximum Free fall of concrete allowed is:-

 1.5 m

Q35. Minimum Bars in Circular Column Should be:-

 6 Nos.

Q36. What is the Full Form of AAC?

 Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

Q37. What is the Full Form of NDT?

 Non – Destructive Test

Q38. What is the Full Form of JCB?

 Joseph Cyril Bamford

Q39.  Which Test is conducted to determine the bearing capacity of Soil?

 Plate Load Test

Q40. Ring and ball test is conducted on which construction material?

 Bitumen

Q41. Minimum hook length as per IS Code?

75 mm

Q44. What is the extra length in Bent up bars?

 0.45x

Q45. What is Least Count of Dumpy?

5mm

Q46. What is Full of EGL?

Existing ground level.

Q47. A First Class Brick Should Absorb Water More than?

20 %

Q48. Number of Bricks used in 1 Cubic meter of Brickwork?

 500 Nos.

Q49. The Normal Consistency of  Portland Cement?

25 %

Q50. The Expansion in Portland cement is tested by:-

 Soundness Test

Q51. According to IS Code, Full Strength of Concrete is achieved after?

 28 Days

Q52. What is the Volume of 1 bag of cement?

  0.035 ㎥

Q53. Minimum Grade of Concrete Used For RCC?

 M – 20

Q54. What is the Full Form of DPR?

 Detailed Project Report

Q55. As per UK gallon, 1 Gallon equals how much liters?

 4.54 Litres

Q56. In one way slab, the Main bar is provided along which span?

Shorter span

Q57. How we can measure the thickness of the Plaster?

Bull mark is provided at a specific distance to make sure that the required thickness of the Plaster is uniform throughout.

Q58. In plastering, What is known as 2nd coat?

Floating coat

Q59. What is the specific gravity range of Bentonite slurry during Piling?

1.05 to 1.12

Q60. What is the working load?

The load assigned to a pile as per design

Q61. What is the use of the Damp Proof Course?

It prevents moisture from rising up the wall from the ground.

As per IS 2911, Part – 1, Section – 2, Piles of 600 mm or less in diameter are called small diameter pile and Piles greater than 600 mm in diameter are called large diameter pile.

Q63. What is Friction Pile?

If the pile supports the load primarily by friction along its surface, then it is called Friction Pile.

Q64. How much CFT in 1 bag of Cement (50 KG)?

1.225 Cubic Feet

Q65. What are the factors affecting the strength of concrete?

Quality of Raw Materials, Water – Cement Ratio, Coarse – Fine aggregate ratio, Aggregate – Cement ratio, Curing period, Temperature, Compaction of concrete.

Q66. What is the density of Ice?

920 Kg per Cubic meter.

Q67. What is a One-way slab?

Answer: If the ratio of Longer Span to Shorter Span is more than or equal to 2, then it is known as One way Slab.

Q68. What is a Two-way Slab?

If the ratio of Longer Span to Shorter Span is less than 2, then it is called a Two-way slab.

Q69. What is Kentledge?

It is a dead weight used for applying a test load on a pile.

Q70. What is the reinforcement criteria for the beam?

As per 13920: 2016 Cl. 6.2.1, Beam shall have at least two numbers 12 mm dia bar each at the top and bottom faces.

Q71. What is the percentage of water we can increase for every 25 mm slump?

As per IS 10262: 2009 Cl. 4.2, We can increase 3% for every additional 25 mm slump.

Q72. What is the Contour Line?

A line joining points of equal elevation is known as a Contour Line.

Q73. What is the least count of theodolite?

The difference between the value of the smallest division of the main scale and that of the smallest division of the vernier scale known as the least count of the theodolite. It is the least value that can be measured by theodolite.

Q74. What is the standard thickness of Ceiling Plaster?

6 mm

Q75. What are the factors on which Development Length Depends?

Grade of Concrete, Grade of Steel

Q76. What is the purpose of Frog in Brick?

It helps in developing a proper joint between Brick and mortar.

Q77. Which steel is used in the manufacture of rails?

Manganese Steel

Q78. What type of cement is preferable in seawater construction?

Slag or Pozzolana (PSC or PPC) as per IS 456 : 2000 Cl. 8.2.8

Q79. What should be the pH of water used in concrete?

As per IS 456: 2000 Cl. 5.4.2, pH of water shall be not less than 6

Q80. How to convert N/mm2 to Kg/c㎡?

Multiplying by 10.197

Q81. What is the minimum lap length taken in the Compression zone?

As per IS 456: 2000 Cl. 26.2.5.1(d), the lap length in compression shall not be less than 24ᶲ, where ᶲ is the diameter of the bar.

Q82. When bars of two different diameters are to be lapped, then lap length will be calculated on the basis of which dia?

As per IS 456: 2000 Cl. 26.2.5.1(e), the lap length shall be calculated on the basis of the diameter of the smaller bar.

Q83. When we will provide side face reinforcement in the beam?

As per IS 456: 2000 Cl. 26.5.1.3, When the depth of the web in a beam exceeds 750 mm, side face reinforcements shall be provided along with the two faces.

Q84. What do you mean by the term ‘Topographical Map’?

A map that shows the natural features of a country such as Rivers, Hills, Road, Railways, Villages, Towns etc, is known as Topographical Map.

Q85. What is the working principle of surveying?

 The fundamental principle of surveying is to work from the whole to the part.

Q86. In a chaining operation, Who is the Leader and who is the Follower?

The chainman at the forward end of the chain who drags the chain is known as the leader. The one at the rear end of the chain is known as a follower.

Q87. What is the density of fire bricks?

The density of fire bricks is 2400 kg/㎥

Q88. What is the minimum curing period for Mineral and Admixture added Cement?

The minimum curing period for Mineral and Admixture added Cement is 14 days.

Q89. What is the fundamental difference between Surveying and Levelling?

In Surveying, the measurements are taken in the horizontal plane, but in levelling they are taken in the vertical plane.

Q90. What is the meaning of Bored Cast in Situ?

 Bored cast-in-situ pile is formed within the ground by excavating or boring a hole within it, with or without the aid of a temporary casing (to keep the hole stabilized) and subsequently filling it with plain or reinforced concrete. These piles are particularly applicable in certain subsoil conditions where penetration to a pre-determined depth is essential.

Q91. How many ranging rods are required to range a line?

At least three ranging rods are required for direct ranging and at least four for indirect ranging.

Q92. In plastering, what is known as 1st coat?

 Undercoat.

Q93. What is Bentonite?

 It is a Montmorillonite clay with a very high liquid limit.

Q94. What is the meaning of M50?

Here ‘M’ stands for ‘Mix’. 50 stands for Characteristics compressive strength of concrete cube size 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm, after 28 days curing. Its unit is N/m

Q95. Difference between Development length & Lap Length?

Lap length addresses the length of the bar needed to transfer the stress to the other bar, whereas Development length addresses the length of the bar needed to transfer the stress to the concrete.

Q96. Which instrument is used to measure Specific Gravity?

 Hydrometer

Q97. What is the size of the mould used to measure the compressive strength of Cement?

As per IS 10080: 1982, The size is 70.6 mm x 70.6 mm 70.6 mm

Q98. What is the percentage strength of concrete with time?

 After 1 day – 16%, 

After 3 days – 40%, 

After 7 days – 65%, 

After 14 days – 90%,

 After 28 days – 99%

Q99. What is the use of the Cover block?

Answer: It protects the reinforcement from thermal expansion during a fire or excessive heat. It also protects the steel from corrosion

Q100. What is the minimum height of the Parapet wall?

 1 metre


The purpose of this article was to give a certain reference and guide for the freshers after going to give their first interview in civil engineering field.The above questions and answers provides a simple and fast learning reference for site engineers as well.



Give your positive feedback and suggest more points that are asked in an interview in comment section below. - Civil Engineering Realities












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