CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PART 1: GENERAL SELF INTRODUCTION QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Q.1) Introduce briefly about yourself.
Solution: Myself Prathamesh Haridasrao Patil. My birthdate is
8 February 1999. I am from open category. Hindu religion &
Maratha caste. My residential address is “Survey No. 15/4,
Plot No. 5, Swami Samarth Colony, R. K. Nagar Kolhapur. I have
completed my graduation in civil engineering with 6.88 CGPI
up to 7th semester. I have completed my 10th education from
New English School Lanja, District Ratnagiri with 84% marks in
SSC Examination. Also, I have completed my 12 th education
from Gopal Krishna Gokhale College Kolhapur with 60% marks
in HSC Examination.
Q.2) Why you have chosen engineering sector?
Solution: For the following reasons, I have selected
engineering sector.
1. Engineering can provide us a satisfying field of work.
2. An engineering sector will exercise your brain, developing
your ability to think logically & to solve problems.
3. Engineering sector is a creative profession that can help
us to answer questions & to push us to ask new questions
& to find new solutions.
4. Engineering sector is a lucrative career with an increasing
growth outlook in years to come.
Q.3) What are the advantages of civil engineering trade?

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Solution: Following are the advantages of civil engineering
trade.
1. Civil engineering is a domain of studies that offers
opportunities for quick appraisals in career.
2. Civil engineering is a well-respected profession in a
society that demands working on different sites & with
various people.
Q.4) By taking engineering education, do you get
satisfaction?
Solution: Yes, I get a proper & reasonable satisfaction by
taking an engineering education.
Q.5) What are your expectations about salary?
Solution: As per your company rules, give me a proper &
reasonable salary by means of which I can completely fulfil my
basic needs.
Q.6) What are your ambitions about future?
Solution: My future ambitions involve growing with a
company where I can continue to learn, take on additional
responsibilities, & contribute as much value as possible to the
team.

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PART 2: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS RELATED TO CONCEPTS OF
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY.
Q.1) What are the steps involved in concreting process?
Solution: Batching, Mixing, Transporting, Placing &
Compacting are the steps involved in concreting process.
Q.2) Why concrete cover is provided for reinforcement?
Solution: Concrete cover is provided in reinforcement to
prevent from corrosion & to provide fire resistance.
Q.3) What is the average width of staircase in residential
building?
Solution: The average width of staircase in residential building
is 900mm.
Q.4) What is the slope of staircase?
Solution: The slope of staircase is 25 degrees to 40 degrees.
Q.5) What is the minimum diameter of steel bar used in
column?
Solution: The minimum diameter of steel bar used in column
is 12mm.
Q.6) What is the minimum number of bars required in
circular column?
Solution: The minimum number of bars required in circular
column is 6.
Q.7) What is the minimum grade of concrete for RCC works
as per IS: 456 – 2000 specification?
Solution: The minimum grade of concrete for RCC works as per
IS: 456 – 2000 specification is M20.

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Q.8) What is the volume of one bag of cement?
Solution: The volume of one bag of cement is 0.035𝑚3 .
Q.9) What is the ratio of various ingredients in concrete of
grade M20?
Solution: The ratio of various ingredients in concrete of grade
M20 is 1:1.5:3.
Q.10) What is the maximum height for placing concrete to
prevent segregation?
Solution: The maximum height for placing concrete to prevent
segregation is 1.50m.
Q.11) Define the term bleeding
Solution: Bleeding is the process of separation of water sand
cement from a freshly mixed concrete.
Q.12) Define the term hardness.
Solution: Hardness is the process in which the concrete mix
causes difficulty in obtaining a smooth finish.
Q.13) Define the term screeding.
Solution: Screeding is the operation of removing humps &
hollows of uniform concrete surface.
Q.14) How many numbers of cement bags required for one
cubic meter of concrete?
Solution: The number of cement bags required for one cubic
meter of concrete are 6.5.
Q.15) How many grades are specified by IS: 456 - 2000?
Solution: Grades specified by IS: 456 – 2000 are 15.

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Q.16) What is achieved by grading of aggregate in a concrete
mix?
Solution: Adequate workability is achieved by grading of
aggregate in a concrete mix.
Q.17) What should be minimum grade of concrete for
moderate environmental exposure condition?
Solution: Minimum grade of concrete for moderate
environmental exposure condition should be M 25.
Q.18) What is the cause of bulking of sand?
Solution: Bulking of sand is caused by surface moisture.
Q.19) What are the respective bottom diameter, top
diameter & the height of the steel mould used for slump
test?
Solution: The respective bottom diameter, top diameter & the
height of the steel mould used for slump test are 20cm, 10cm
& 30cm.
Q.20) What should be maximum admissible w/c ratio for
mild environmental exposure?
Solution: Maximum admissible w/c ratio for mild
environmental exposure should be 0.55.
Q.21) Who acts as retarder for the concrete?
Solution: Calcium ligno-sulphate acts as retarder for the
concrete.
Q.22) Which ingredients are required for batching 1:2:4
concrete mix by volume per bag of cement?

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Solution: Ingredients required for batching 1:2:4 concrete mix
by volume per bag of cement are 70 litre fine aggregate & 140
litre coarse aggregate.
Q.23) What is the shape of aggregate if workability of
concrete for a given water content?
Solution: The shape of aggregate if workability of concrete for
a given water content is rounded.
Q.24) How much excess cement to be added in concrete
while hand mixing is adopted?
Solution: Excess cement to be added in concrete while hand
mixing is adopted is 10%.
Q.25) What is the grade of sand if fineness modulus of sand
is 2.5?
Solution: The grade of sand if fineness modulus of sand is 2.5
is fine sand.
Q.26) What is the increase in the strength of concrete with
time?
Solution: The increase in the strength of concrete with time is
non-linear.
Q.27) What is the range of water 𝒑𝑯 for preparing concrete
mix to prevent sulphate attack in concrete?
Solution: The range of water 𝑝𝐻 for preparing concrete mix to
prevent sulphate attack in concrete is 6 to 9.
Q.28) Define the term creep.
Solution: Creep is the permanent deformation of concrete
with time under steady load.

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Q.29) What is the size of cyclopean aggregate?
Solution: The size of cyclopean aggregate is more than 75mm.
Q.30) What is the example of the leaching action in concrete?
Solution: The example of the leaching action in concrete is
decomposition.
Q.31) What is the Poisson’s ratio of cement concrete?
Solution: The Poisson’s ratio of cement concrete is 0.15.
Q.32) Which test is used to determine workability of
concrete mix with low water cement ratio?
Solution: Compaction factor test is used to determine
workability of concrete mix with low water cement ratio.
Q.33) What is the workability of concrete if the compaction
factor is 0.95?
Solution: The workability of concrete if the compaction factor
is 0.95 is high.
Q.34) What is the creep strain in concrete under constant
load?
Solution: The creep strain in concrete under constant load is
time dependent.
Q.35) Which tests on brick is used to check its quality?
Solution: Water absorption test, hardness test, size & shape
test, soundness test, crushing test are the tests on brick used
to check its quality
Q.36) Define the term guniting
Solution: Guniting is process of spraying of cement mortar for
plastering.
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Q.37) What are the types of slumps?
Solution: Shear slump, collapse slump, zero slump & true
slump are the types of slumps.
Q.38) What do you understand by M25 concrete?
Solution: M is mix & 25 means compression strength at the
end of 28 days considering concrete cubes of 15cm cube in
N/𝑚𝑚2 .
Q.39) For filling cracks in masonry structure which type of
bitumen is used?
Solution: Plastic bitumen is used for filling cracks in masonry
structure.
Q.40) What is SBC?
Solution: SBC is soil bearing capacity.
Q.41) Which field test is used to check quality of cement?
Solution: Colour test, floating test are the field tests used to
check quality of cement.
Q.42) Which wall is constructed to resist the pressure of
earth filling?
Solution: Retaining wall is constructed to resist the pressure
of earth filling.
Q.43) Which test is used to measure workability of concrete?
Solution: Slump test is used to measure workability of
concrete.
Q.44) What is the size of fine aggregate?
Solution: The size of fine aggregate is 4.75mm.

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Q.45) In which test Le-Chatlier’s apparatus is used?
Solution: In soundness test of cement Le-Chatlier’s apparatus
is used.
Q.46) In which test Vicat apparatus is used?
Solution: In consistency test Vicat apparatus is used.
Q.47) Define the term segregation.
Solution: Segregation is the property of the ingredients to
separate from each other while placing the concrete.
Q.48) What is the time scheduled to obtain specified
compressive strength of concrete from cube tests?
Solution: The time scheduled to obtain specified compressive
strength of concrete from cube tests is 28 days.
Q.49) Which material is added to increase setting time of
cement?
Solution: Gypsum is added to increase setting time of cement.
Q.50) What is the minimum diameter of longitudinal bars in
a column?
Solution: The minimum diameter of longitudinal bars in a
column is 12mm.
Q.51) What is the maximum height for placing concrete to
prevent segregation?
Solution: The maximum is height for placing concrete to
prevent segregation is 100 cm.
Q.52) At what position normally pre-stressing wires are
arranged?

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Solution: At lower part of the beam normally pre-stressing
wires are arranged.
Q.53) Which materials are added to improve the workability?
Solution: The materials like fly ash, hydrated lime & calcium
chloride etc. are added to improve the workability.
Q.54) Define the term curing.
Solution: Curing is the process of hardening the concrete by
keeping its surface moist.
Q.55) Which method is used to curing of pavements, floors,
roofs & slabs?
Solution: Ponding method is used to curing of pavements,
floors, roofs & slabs.
Q.56) How much is the moisture content if bulking of sand is
maximum?
Solution: Moisture content is 4% if bulking of sand is
maximum.
Q.57) Which cement is generally used for road pavements?
Solution: Rapid hardening cement is generally used for road
pavements.
Q.58) Which has high tensile strength?
Solution: Cold drawn wire has high tensile strength.
Q.59) Which admixtures causes early setting & hardening of
concrete?
Solution: Accelerators causes early setting & hardening of
concrete.

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Q.60) What is the maximum permissible size of the
aggregates for the construction of cement concrete dams?
Solution: The maximum permissible size of the aggregates for
the construction of cement concrete dams is 40mm.
Q.61) Define the term bleeding.
Solution: Bleeding is the property of fresh concrete in which
the water in the mix tends to rise to the surface while placing
& compacting.
Q.62) For which aggregates workability of concrete for a
given water content is good?
Solution: For rounded aggregates workability of concrete for
a given water content is good.
Q.63) What does occur in bulking of sand?
Solution: In bulking of sand, sand swells when wetted.
Q.64) How much is the amount of the extra cement to be
added in case of hand mixing of concrete?
Solution: The amount of the extra cement to be added in case
of hand mixing of concrete is 10%.
Q.65) How much strength is reduced by 1% of voids in a
concrete?
Solution: 5% strength is reduced by 1% of voids in a concrete.
Q.66) What is improved by the compaction of concrete?
Solution: Density, strength & durability of concrete is
improved by the compaction of concrete.
Q.67) What is measured by the impact test?
Solution: Toughness is measured by the impact test.
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Q.68) What is measured by soundness test of cement?
Solution: Quality of free lime is measured by soundness test
of cement.
Q.69) What is the minimum grade of reinforced concrete in
seawater as per IS:456-2000?
Solution: The minimum grade of reinforced concrete in
seawater as per IS:456-2000 is M30.
Q.70) What are the types of cement?
Solution: Ordinary Portland cement, Portland pozzolana
cement, white Portland cement, rapid hardening cement,
sulphate resisting cement etc are the types of cement.
Q.71) What is the formula to calculate weight of steel bar?
𝐷2
Solution: 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = .
162.2
Q.72) When pile foundation is required?
Solution: Pile foundation is used when soil bearing capacity <
24 KN/𝑚2 .
Q.73) What do you mean by TMT bar?
Solution: TMT bar is used in construction. TMT bar has high
strength & ductility.
Q.74) What are the types of foundation?
Solution: Shallow foundation & deep foundation are the types
of foundation.
Q.75) What is the minimum cover is provided for different
RCC member?

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Solution: The minimum cover is provided for different RCC
member is 25mm for beam, 50mm for footing, 40mm for
column & 20mm for slab etc.
Q.76) For how many days we can use cement?
Solution: For 90 days we can use cement.
Q.77) What is the unit weight of steel?
Solution: The unit weight of steel is 7850 Kg/𝑚3 .
Q.78) What is the initial & final setting time of cement paste?
Solution: The initial & final setting time of cement paste is
respectively 30min & 600min.
Q.79) What are the types of curing method used for concrete
work?
Solution: Spraying, ponding, wet covering surface, curing
chemical & steam curing etc. are the types of curing method
used for concrete work.

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PART 3: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS RELATED TO CONCEPTS OF
DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES.
Q.1) Mention the steps to check material received at the site.
Solution: Visual inspection, dimension inspection, Verification
of heat no. & mill certificate information etc. are the steps to
check material received at the site.
Q.2) How can you check the support foundation?
Solution: Support foundation is checked by means of location,
orientation & elevation.
Q.3) What is the minimum top elevation of levelling shims?
Solution: The minimum top elevation of levelling shims is
25mm.
Q.4) What is the acceptable variation in dimension between
the centres of two anchor bolts (within an anchor bolt
group)?
Solution: The acceptable variation in dimension between the
centres of two anchor bolts (within an anchor bolt group) is
maximum 3mm.
Q.5) Which code you can use for check bolts used for primary
structural connection?
Solution: ASTM A325 N is the code used for check bolts used
for primary structural connection.
Q.6) What is the minimum size of bolt used at ASTM A32 N?
Solution: The minimum size of bolt used at ASTM A32 N is
minimum 20mm.
Q.7) How much variation in elevation of the top of anchor
rods?
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Solution: Maximum 13mm is variation in elevation of the top
of anchor rods.
Q.8) How many days minimum required to archive 70%
concrete strength (curing time)?
Solution: Minimum 7 days are required to archive 70%
concrete strength (curing time).
Q.9) How many bolts minimum required per connection
Solution: Minimum 2 bolts are required per connection.
Q.10) How much variation in dimension from centre of any
anchor bolts group to be establish column line through the
group?
Solution: Equal to or less than 6mm is variation in dimension
from centre of any anchor bolts group to be establish column
line through the group.
Q.11) What is the minimum height of handrails provided on
walkways & platforms?
Solution: The minimum height of handrails provided on
walkways & platforms is over 1 meter height.
Q.12) What are the properties of a steel?
Solution: Yield stress, ultimate stress, modulus of elasticity,
percent elongation, coefficient of thermal expansion etc. are
the properties of steel.
Q.13) What are the types of structural steel?
Solution: Beams, channels, angles & flats are the types of
structural steel.
Q.14) What are steel beams?

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Solution: Steel beams is considered to be a structural element
which mainly carries load in flexure meaning bending. Usually
beams carry vertical gravitational force but are also capable of
carrying horizontal loads generally in the case of an
earthquake. The mechanism of carrying load in a beam is very
unique, like; the load carried by a beam is transferred to walls,
columns or girders which in turn transfer the force to the
adjacent structural compression members. The joists rest on
the beam in light frame constructions.
Q.15) Explain about steel channels.
Solution: Steel channels are used ideally as supports & guide
rails. These are roll formed products. The main metal used for
making channels is steel along with aluminium.
Q.16) What is J channels?
Solution: J channels has two legs & a web. J channel resembles
the letter J.
Q.17) What is structural steel design?
Solution: Structural steel design is an area of knowledge of
structural engineering used to design steel structures
Q.18) Explain the design process of structural steel?
Solution: Preliminary member sizing of beams, structural
analysis, design review, cost of estimation, preparation of
structural drawings & specifications, loads for structural
analysis & design, dead load, live load, mean return period or
recurrence interval or live loads for various occupancies,
reduction in basic design live load, impact load, wind load are
the steps for design process of structural steel.
Q.19) Describe the steps used for erection of structural steel.
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Solution: Material received at site, concrete bases & anchor
bolt, shims, pre assembly at ground level, main construction
steel erection (dimension bolt), tightening for anchor bolt,
alignment for structural steel, tightening for steel, tightening
for anchor bolts, complete structural steel erection (secondary
beams, bracing), calibration of wrench & device, modification
during & after erection includes cutting, welding, NDT etc.,
painting inspection are the steps used for erection of
structural steel.
Q.20) What are the defects you can except during inspection
of material receiving at the sites?
Solution: Lamination, distortion, pitting etc. are the defects
seen when we except during inspection of material receiving
at the sites.
Q.21) What do you mean by steel structure design?
Solution: Steel design or more specifically structural steel
design is an area of structural engineering used to design steel
structures.
Q.22) What are the steps of steel structure design?
Solution: Structural planning, determining the internal forces
of each element, determining the methods of analysis,
member design, drafting, drawing & preparation of schedules
etc. are the steps of steel structure design.
Q.23) What are the three design methods for steel
structures?
Solution: Simple design, continuous design & semi-continuous
steel design are the three design methods for steel structures.
Q.24) What is the objective of design in steel structures?
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Solution: The objectives of structural design is to design the
structure for stability, strength & serviceability. It must also be
economical & aesthetic.
Q.25) Which code is used for steel structure design?
Solution: BIS code, IS code for structural engineering, code of
practice for general construction in steel etc. are the codes
used for steel structure design.
Q.26) Which specification used for analysis & design of steel
structures?
Solution: ANSI/AISC 360-10 specification is used for analysis &
design of steel structures.
Q.27) What is ASD in steel design?
Solution: ASD (Allowable Strength Design) is a term used by
the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) in the 14 th
edition of the manual of steel construction
Q.28) What is special consideration in steel design?
Solution: All the members in the structure should have
adequate strength, stiffness & toughness to ensure proper
functioning during service life.
Q.29) What are structural steel members?
Solution: W-shape (wide flange), S-shape (American Standard
I beam), C-shape (American Standard channel) etc. are the
three structural steel members.
Q.30) What is the minimum thickness of gusset plate?
Solution: The thickness of gusset plate in any case should not
be less than 12mm. Structurally, a gusset plate is subjected to
shear stresses, direct stresses & bending stresses & therefore
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it should be of ample thickness to resist all these at the critical
section.

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