Civil Engineering

Basic Interview questions for Civil Design Engineer 01. What is the Minimum reinforcement percentage for a column?  Answer: The minimum reinforcement percentage is 0.8% of the cross-sectional area of a column or A st = 0.85db / f y. 02. What is the Maximum reinforcement percentage for a column?  Answer:  The minimum reinforcement percentage is 6.0% of the cross-sectional area of a column or 0.04 bD. 03. How do we determine the effective length of a column? Answer: The effective length of a column is expressed as L eff = k x L                 Where k stands for effective length ratio.                             L stands for unsupported length or clear height of the column. 04. What is the Effective length ratio of a column? Answer: The effective length ratio is basically a constant depending upon the degree of r...

Basic Interview questions for Civil Site Engineer 01. What does the M20 grade of concrete mean? Answer: 'M' stands for mix design & 20 stands for the average compressive strength at 28 days in N/ mm 2 . 02. What is the ratio for M10 M15 & M20 grade of concrete? Answer: The ratio is - M10 - 1:3:6                                     M15 - 1:2:4                                     M20 - 1:1.5:3 03. In the above answer what are the components of the ratio? Answer: The ratio stands for Binder (Cement): Fine aggregate: Coarse aggregates. 04. What does SCC stand for? Answer: SCC stands for Self-compacting / Self Consolidating Concrete. 05. In general, which component of concrete is responsible for cube / concrete failure? Answer: The binder material (cement mortar) is mai...

Estimation of Brickwork & AAC Blockwork  The file attached can determine the quantities of Cement, Sand required in typical brickwork including plaster on both faces of the structure. This excel can also be utilized to find the estimated quantities of AAC blockwork, where plaster needed is zero (0). It is also very flexible, with easy customization. Download this excel: Link: Estimation_Brickwork.xlxs

What is waterproof coating & membrane To prevent the entry of water through seepage or moisture damp inside an RCC structure waterproofing is used. Generally, after completion of construction work of a structure waterproofing work is carried out. The process of waterproofing can be carried out in many ways. However, it can be broadly classified as:   Coating – By the use of Polyurea coating as a waterproofing membrane.   Membrane - By using the waterproofing membrane. Waterproofing coat (PU): Surface Preparation – The surface is inspected for any structural defects such as cracks, undulations, and honeycombs if found it shall be rectified before coating. Right angle junctions between slab & perpendicular wall/column shall be treated by coving the junction (75mm x 75mm generally) & filling it with a polymer-modified mortar. The surface shall be free from dust, loose materials, cracks & in saturated surface dry (SSD) condition before the applica...

What is a slab & its types? In any building the most common structural element of construction to create a flat surface such as floor & roof is called slabs. The depth of the slab is very less compared to its effective length. Different loads act on a slab, such as the dead load of the slab, live load on a slab, super-imposed dead load, earthquake load. There are different kinds of slabs based on their support conditions. Types of slabs: One-way Slab – Slabs whose longer dimension exceeds two times the shorter dimension is termed as a one-way slab. They are supported by beams on two opposite sides. In one-way slabs the imposed loads are transferred to the two opposite faces of the slab & in one direction, hence the name one-way slabs. In one way slab, the main reinforcements run along the shorter edges while distribution reinforcements run along the transverse direction. The most common example of a one-way slab is a balcony (generally). The load distribution is...

Bonding Mechanism in RCC Structure   In an RCC structure is considered safe when the relevant loads on the structure is under the permissible limits for that structure, the impact of load is sustained by the RCC main components like concrete & steel. The composite action of reinforced concrete is mainly due to the bonding or the adhesion between the reinforcement steel’s ribs provide better bonding with the surrounding concrete. This bonding between the reinforcement steel & concrete enables the transfer of axial force from the reinforcement steel to the surrounding concrete & the bond also ensures strain compatibility and composite action of the composite material (Reinforced Concrete). The assumption of plain section remains plain even after bending in the simple bending theory, is valid only when there is effective bond between the steel & surrounding concrete. In steel reinforcement of an RCC member, the stress varies from point to point along its l...