500 Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers Part -1
1. General Civil Engineering Questions
- What is civil engineering?
- Civil engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with designing, constructing, and maintaining structures like buildings, roads, bridges, and water supply systems.
- What are the main branches of civil engineering?
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Construction Management
- Environmental Engineering
- What is the density of steel?
- The density of steel is 7850 kg/m³.
- What is the standard weight of an RCC slab per square meter?
- It ranges between 240 kg/m² to 300 kg/m², depending on the thickness.
- What is the modulus of elasticity of concrete?
- 5000√fck MPa, where fck is the characteristic compressive strength.
- What is the role of reinforcement in concrete?
- It provides tensile strength, as concrete is weak in tension.
- What is creep in concrete?
- Creep is the gradual deformation of concrete under sustained load over time.
- What is shrinkage in concrete?
- Shrinkage is the reduction in volume of concrete due to water evaporation.
- What are the common types of loads acting on a structure?
- Dead Load
- Live Load
- Wind Load
- Earthquake Load
- Snow Load
- What is the standard size of a brick in India?
- 190mm × 90mm × 90mm
2. Concrete Technology Questions
- What are the different grades of concrete?
- M10 (10 MPa), M15, M20, M25, M30, M35, M40, M50, etc.
- What is the standard water-cement ratio for M20 concrete?
- 0.45 to 0.50
- What is a slump test?
- A test to measure the workability of fresh concrete.
- What is the minimum grade of concrete for RCC?
- M20 (1:1.5:3 mix ratio)
- What is the initial and final setting time of cement?
- Initial setting time: 30 minutes
- Final setting time: 10 hours
- What is the function of admixtures in concrete?
- They modify properties like workability, setting time, and durability.
- What is the compressive strength of M20 concrete after 28 days?
- 20 MPa (N/mm²)
- What is the role of fly ash in concrete?
- Improves workability, reduces heat of hydration, and increases durability.
- What is the difference between OPC and PPC cement?
- OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) has faster strength gain.
- PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement) has better durability and resistance.
- What is the minimum curing period for concrete?
- 7 days for OPC and 14 days for PPC.
3. Structural Engineering Questions
- What is a simply supported beam?
- A beam supported at both ends without a fixed restraint.
- What is a cantilever beam?
- A beam that is fixed at one end and free at the other.
- What is the standard size of a column in a residential building?
- 230mm × 230mm for single-story, 300mm × 300mm for multi-story.
- What is a two-way slab?
- A slab where load is distributed in both directions, supported on all four sides.
- What is the reinforcement percentage in RCC slabs?
- 0.7% to 1% of the total cross-sectional area.
- What is the lapping length for reinforcement bars?
- 40D for tension bars, 50D for compression bars (D = bar diameter).
- What is the standard cover for reinforcement in slabs?
- 20mm for slabs, 25mm for beams, 40mm for columns.
- What is the formula for bending moment?
- M = F × d (Force × Distance)
- What is the maximum span for a slab without beams?
- Up to 6m (for flat slabs with reinforcement).
- What is the permissible deflection limit in RCC beams?
- Span/250 for total deflection.
4. Surveying Questions
- What is a total station?
- A surveying instrument that measures angles and distances digitally.
- What is a benchmark in surveying?
- A fixed reference point of known elevation.
- What is the least count of a theodolite?
- 20 seconds or 1 minute.
- What is levelling in surveying?
- Measuring height differences between points.
- What is contouring?
- Representing elevation changes on a map.
- What is the principle of chain surveying?
- Triangulation, where measurements form triangles for accuracy.
- What is the function of a plumb bob?
- Used to check vertical alignment.
- What is a prismatic compass used for?
- Measuring horizontal angles and directions.
- What is an EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement) instrument?
- A device used for precise distance measurement.
- What is the importance of a total station?
It combines theodolite, EDM, and data recording for accurate surveying.