Civil Engineer Interview Questions

Basic Civil Engineering Questions

What is Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of physical infrastructure.

What are the main branches of civil engineering?

The main branches include

structural engineering

geotechnical engineering

transportation engineering

water resources engineering

environmental engineering .

Structural Engineering Questions
What is the difference between RCC and PCC?

RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) contains steel bars to improve tensile strength, while PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) does not.

What is the significance of the factor of safety (FoS)?

FoS is used to ensure that a structure can withstand loads without failing.

Construction Materials Questions
What are the main ingredients of concrete?

Cement, sand, aggregate, water, and admixtures.

What is the fineness modulus of sand?

Fineness modulus is an index that represents the average size of particles in aggregate, ranging from 2.3 to 3.1 for sand.

Geotechnical Engineering Questions
What is the role of geotechnical investigations in foundation design? Geotechnical investigations assess soil properties and potential hazards to ensure stable foundation design.

What is the difference between active and passive earth pressure?

Active earth pressure occurs when soil moves away from a structure, while passive earth pressure occurs when soil is compressed against a structure.

Project Management and Estimation Questions
How do you estimate the cost of a building project?

Prepare a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), calculate material and labor costs, and add contingencies.

What is QA/QC in construction?

QA (Quality Assurance) ensures quality processes are followed, while QC (Quality Control) involves testing and inspection to ensure quality.

Some other important questions include

1)What is the unit weight of concrete?*
2)What are the causes of pavement failures ?
3) What is the CBR test?
4)How do you ensure structural integrity in building design?
5)What is the difference between a section and an elevation?