Here’s a list of 10 Important Civil Engineering Interview Questions And Answers to ensure your next interview is a success.

1- List out the reinforcements that are used in the process of prestressing. 

There are three primary types of reinforcements that are used in the prestressing process. They are:

1- Spalling Reinforcements.
2- Equilibrium Reinforcements.
3- Bursting Reinforcements.

2- 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.

3- 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.

4- Explain what is floating slab foundation?

A floating concrete foundation is a type of mat foundation that consists of the hollow mat formed by a grid of thick reinforced concrete walls between two thick reinforced concrete slabs.

5- What are the causes of building collapse?

There are several reasons for building collapse. Passage of time is the main reason. Also, weak foundations, natural calamities like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc., are the major reasons for building collapse. Bombing and destruction is also another major reason.

6- What are the steps involved in the concreting process, explain?

The major steps involved in the process of concreting are as follows:
1- Batching
2- Mixing
3- Transporting and placing of concrete
4- Compacting.

1- Batching: The process of measurement of the different materials for the making of concrete is known as batching. batching is usually done in two ways: volume batching and weight batching. In case of volume batching the measurement is done in the form of volume whereas in the case of weight batching it is done by the weight.


2- Mixing: In order to create good concrete the mixing of the materials should be first done in dry condition and after it wet condition. The two general methods of mixing are: hand mixing and machine mixing.
3- Transportation and placing of concrete: Once the concrete mixture is created it must be transported to its final location. The concrete is placed on form works and should always be dropped on its final location as closely as possible.
4- Compaction of concrete: When concrete is placed it can have air bubbles entrapped in it which can lead to the reduction of the strength by 30%. In order to reduce the air bubbles the process of compaction is performed. Compaction is generally performed in two ways: by hand or by the use of vibrators.

7- What is the meaning of soil reinforcement? 
Soil reinforcement is the act of improving soil strength to enable it support or carry more load. Two common examples are:

1- Mixing a soil amendment such as lime into weak clayey soil and re-compacting to improve soil-bearing capacity (often done under the road base in highway construction)

2- Installing plastic or composite webbing layers (called geo-grid material) alternating with compacted soil to produce a stronger sloped soil structure (often done on steep roadway embankments to improve strength and stability)

8- How would you describe the soundness of cement? 

Cement soundness can be described as a property which ensures that the cement does not go through any appreciable expansion or experience any change in volume once it has been set. This process helps get rid of any possibilities of the mortar or concrete from getting disrupted.

9- Explain Fatigue. Can you point out some of the structures that may be subjected to fatigue? 

Fatigue can be described as the gradual damage to a structure that occurs when it is subjected to cyclic loading (repeated loading and unloading). Some of the structures that may be subjected to fatigue include:

• Bridges that are heavily loaded
• Hydraulic Presses
• Aircrafts
• Concrete Reservoirs
• Pylons
• Turbines
• Overhead cranes
• Transmission towers
• Offshore platforms
• Burners trains

10- 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/cm2 It is a highly effective process for repairing concrete walls or damaged surfaces.

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