Top 20 Interview Questions for civil Engineers

• What do you mean by demising walls ?

The demising wall is used for the border that separates your land from neighbour’s house

• Define flashing?

Flashing is a comprehensive construction that is done to seal and protect joints in a building from water penetration. It is installed at the intersecting roofs, walls etc

• What is CBR test of soil?

The CBR test is performed by measuring the pressure required to penetrate a soil sample with a plunger of standard area. The measured pressure is then divided by the pressure required to achieve an equal penetration on a standard crushed rock material. The harder the surface, the higher the CBR value.

• A First Class Brick Should Absorb Water More than?

20 %

• What is the range for the bearing capacity of granite?

Around in between 30 to 35 kg/cm²

• Explain the Critical Path Method (C.P.M)?

Critical Path Method is a strategy and method which uses the symbolic diagram to represent the respective tasks and activities involved in the construction.

• How many lifts of soil are required for the Modified Proctor test?

For each Proctor point, the operator compacts the specimen into the pre-weighed soil compaction mold assembly in three to five layers (lifts) according to the method required.

• What is Shading of concrete work ?

The object of shading concrete work is to prevent the evaporation of water from the surface even before setting. This is adopted mainly in case of large concrete surfaces such as road slabs. This is essential in dry weather to protect the concrete from heat, direct sun rays and wind. It also protects the surface from rain. In cold weather shading helps in preserving the heat of hydration of cement thereby preventing freezing of concrete under mild frost conditions. Shading may be achieved by using canvas stretched on frames. This method has a limited application only.

• What is specific gravity of cement?

We know that specific gravity of cement or Density of cement is ranging between 3.1-3.16g/cc by this, cement is 3.16 times heavier than water of the same volume. Excessive presence of moisture content in cement effects Workability and strength of cement.

• What is modified Proctor?

Modified Proctor Test is used to determine the compaction of different types of soil and the properties of soil with a change in moisture content; and the relationship between Dry Density and Moisture Content.

• What does 95 Modified Proctor mean?

95% compaction means that in-situ soil will be compacted to 95% of the maximum dry density by means of roller of different kinds (depending on the soil characteristics). Usually we do proctor compaction test to find out the maximum dry density(MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) of a soil.

• Why CBR test is important?

The purpose of doing a CBR test is to find out the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of a material which has to be used for the subgrade of flexible pavements. … So, it is preferred not to get into the complexity of resilient modulus calculation and use CBR instead which can be easily tested on site.

• How many hours should CBR samples be soaked? 

96 Hrs 

• How many minutes does it take to complete temperature measurement after obtaining sample? 

2 Minute

• In what temperature range should concrete specimen be cured as per ASTM specification ? 

23 +- 2_ ^OC

• What are the IS Codes:

IS 456:2000 Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete

IS 800:2007 Code of practice for general construction in steel

IS 801:1975 Code of practice for use of cold formed light gauge steel structural members in general building construction

IS 811:1987 Specification for cold formed light gauge structural steel sections

IS 1893(Part 1):2016 Earthquake resistant design of structures

IS 875(Part 1):1987 Dead loads

IS 875(Part 2):1987 Live loads

IS 875(Part 3):2015 Wind loads

IS 875(Part 4):1987 Snow loads

• What are the functions of different components of a typical expansion joint?

In a typical expansion joint, it normally contains the following components: joint sealant, joint filler, dowel bar, PVC dowel sleeve, bond breaker tape and cradle bent.

• DPM stands for :

DPM is a membrane material applied to prevent dampness. It can be used for a DPC (Damp Proof Course). An example is laying a polyethylene sheet under concrete slabs.

• For DPC at plinth level, which grade of concrete is used ?

 Cement concrete is used to provide DPC at plinth level. 38-50mm thickness of M15 (1:2:4) cement concrete is provided and it serves the purpose under normal conditions.

• In which bond brick is laid with its length in the direction of a wall?

 Stretcher { Brick are laid with their end towards the face of the wall in header bond. In the Flemish bond, alternative header and stretcher are placed in each course. In the English bond, alternative header and stretcher courses are laid. }