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Civil Engineering Interview Questions
There are several types of roof systems commonly used in construction, including :
 
Gable Roof : Also known as a peaked or pitched roof, it has two sloping sides that meet at the ridge or peak of the roof.
 
Hip Roof : A hip roof has four sloping sides that all converge at the ridge.
 
Flat Roof : A flat roof has a level surface and may have a slight slope for drainage.
 
Gambrel Roof : A gambrel roof is similar to a gable roof but has two different slopes on each side, with the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope.
 
Mansard Roof : A mansard roof has two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being much steeper than the upper slope.
 
Shed Roof : A shed roof has only one sloping side and is often used as an extension to a building.
 
Bonnet Roof : A bonnet roof is similar to a hip roof but has a shallower pitch.
 
Butterfly Roof : A butterfly roof is characterized by two sloping sides that rise from either end of the roof and meet at the center, creating a V-shape.
 
These are the most common types of roof systems, and the choice of a roof system depends on factors such as the building's design, local building codes, and the owner's preference.
An alternate bid, also known as an alternate proposal or option bid, is a type of bid in construction that offers an alternative solution or material to what is specified in the original project plans and specifications.

Alternate bids are submitted by contractors or suppliers in response to a request for bid (RFB) or a request for proposal (RFP). The alternate bid includes the cost, delivery time, and technical specifications of the alternative solution or material.
 
The purpose of alternate bids is to give the owner or the project manager the option to choose between the original specifications and a more cost-effective or efficient alternative solution.

The owner or project manager will then review the alternate bid and determine if it meets their requirements, if it provides a cost savings, and if it is acceptable in terms of quality and delivery time. If the alternate bid is accepted, it becomes part of the construction contract.
A construction cost covers the expenses associated with the design, construction, and completion of a building project.

This typically includes the cost of labor, materials, equipment, and other direct costs such as permits and inspection fees.

The specific items that are included in the construction cost can vary depending on the project scope, the type of construction, and the location.
 
However, there are certain costs that are typically not included in a construction cost estimate. Some of these include :
 
Financing costs : Interest and other financing charges incurred during the construction period.
 
Contingencies : Funds set aside for unexpected expenses that may arise during construction.
 
Professional fees : Fees charged by architects, engineers, and other professionals for their services.
 
Marketing and sales costs : Expenses incurred to promote and sell the building after construction is completed.
 
Furnishings and equipment : The cost of furniture, appliances, and other items that are not considered part of the building structure.
 
Landscaping : The cost of landscaping and exterior improvements, such as sidewalks and retaining walls.
 
Taxes : Property taxes and other taxes that are not included in the construction budget.
Architecture is a complex and multifaceted field that requires a broad range of skills, both technical and personal, to be successful. Some of the key skills that are important for an architect to have include:
 
Technical skills: Knowledge of building codes, construction materials, and building systems is essential for architects. They should also have experience using computer-aided design (CAD) software and be proficient in creating and interpreting technical drawings.
 
Creativity : Architects must have a strong sense of design and be able to create visually appealing and functional buildings.
 
Problem solving : Architecture is a problem-solving profession, and architects must be able to identify and resolve complex design and construction issues.
 
Communication : Architects must be able to communicate effectively with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders involved in a construction project. This includes being able to present ideas and plans in a clear and convincing manner.
 
Project management : Architects must be able to manage their time and resources effectively, as well as coordinate the work of other professionals involved in a project.
 
Attention to detail : Architects must be meticulous in their work, as even small errors in design or construction can have serious consequences.
 
Adaptability : Architecture is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving, and architects must be able to adapt to new technologies, materials, and design trends.
 
In addition to these skills, architects should also be committed to lifelong learning and be willing to continuously develop their skills and knowledge to stay current in the field.
Built up area refers to the total covered area of a building, including the thickness of the external walls. This does not include any common areas such as elevators, lobbies, or staircases.
 
Super built up area, on the other hand, includes not only the built up area but also a proportionate share of common areas such as elevators, lobbies, and staircases. This results in a larger area calculation compared to built up area. Super built up area is commonly used in real estate transactions in India.
Before you start building a kitchen island, you need to take care of :
 
* Design the kitchen island according to the need- if it is only for cooking purpose then use less space, but if it is also for eating then design it accordingly

* List out what appliances you need for your kitchen island

* How high the counter should be

* How much storage space should you required

* Working sides surrounding the kitchen island should have 42 inches of space as a minimum around the kitchen island. Don’t plan Kitchen Island if it makes your kitchen more congested.
Civil engineering is considered the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering. It is traditionally categorized into several sub-disciplines such as following :
 
* Coastal engineering
* Construction engineering
* Earthquake engineering
* Environmental engineering
* Forensic engineering
* Geotechnical engineering
* Structural engineering
* Transportation engineering
* Municipal or urban engineering
* Site development and planning
* Materials science and engineering
* Water resources engineering etc.
Cement is a construction material made by grinding together a mixture of limestone and clay, which is then heated at a high temperature to form clinker. The clinker is then ground into a fine powder to produce cement.
 
The different types of cement are :
 
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) : The most common type of cement, used for general construction purposes.
 
Rapid Hardening Cement : A type of cement that hardens faster than ordinary Portland cement, used in precast concrete.
 
Low Heat of Hydration Cement : A type of cement that releases less heat during the setting process, used in massive concrete structures.
 
Sulfate Resistant Cement : A type of cement that is resistant to sulfate attack, used in concrete structures exposed to sulfates.
 
Blast Furnace Slag Cement : A type of cement made from blast furnace slag, a waste product from the iron and steel industries.
 
Pozzolanic Cement : A type of cement that contains pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash, which increases the strength of the concrete.
 
White Cement : A type of cement with a white color, used for decorative purposes.
There are many types of cement used in house construction. Cement is mainly classified according to their grades. The cement grades determine the compression strength (Mpa) of the concrete that will attain after 28 days of setting.
 
There are about 13 types of cement used for construction purposes. These cement are :
 
* Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
* Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
* Rapid Hardening Cement
* Quick setting cement
* High Alumina Cement
* White Cement
* Colored cement
* Air Entraining Cement
* Expansive cement
* Hydrographic cement
* Low Heat Cement
* Sulfates resisting cement
* Blast Furnace Slag Cement

For house construction purpose, the following five types of cement are mainly used :
 
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 Grade Cement : This cement is mainly used for wall plastering works, Non-RCC structures, pathways etc. It gets a compression strength of 43 Mpa (megapascals) in 28 days of setting.
 
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), 53 Grade Cement : This cement is mainly used in RCC and pre-stressed concrete of higher grades, cement grouts, instant plugging mortars etc. This cement is best for fast-paced construction, where the initial strength is to be achieved quickly. It gets a compression strength of 53 Mpa (megapascals) in 28 days of setting. It attains 27 Mpa in 7days compared to 23 Mpa by 43-grade cement.
 
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) : This cement has a higher degree of fineness, impermeable and corrosion-resistant quality that makes the concrete denser in large structures. The initial setting time of this cement is low, but it gains more strength with time. It is used in mass concreting work as well as RCC work.
 
Portland Slag Cement (PSC) : This type of cement is preferred over OPC grade in constructions where the structures are more liable to sulfate and chloride attack. This has an excellent corrosion resistance quality, particularly from saltwater so, it is widely used in coastal regions, sewage disposal, and water treatment plants.
 
White Cement : This cement is mainly used in decorative designs. It is also used to fill gaps in wall tiles, ceramic bathroom fixtures. The manufacturing process of white cement is different and more complicated when compared to ordinary Portland cement. This is costly than other cement.
There are four main compounds in Portland cement. They are :
 
* Tricalcium Silicate (3CaO · SiO2)

* Dicalcium Silicate (2CaO · SiO2)

* Tricalcium Aluminate (3CaO · Al2O3)

* Tetra-calcium Aluminoferrite (4CaO · Al2O3Fe2 O3)