Tractebel Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Layout of combined cycle power plant with different structures and components.

• Combined cycle power plant consists of gas turbine, heat recovery steam generator, and steam turbine.

• Gas turbine generates electricity by burning natural gas or oil.

• Heat recovery steam generator recovers waste heat from gas turbine exhaust and generates steam.

• Steam turbine generates additional electricity using the steam produced by heat reco...read more

Designing machine foundation for gas turbine involves several factors and types of foundations.

• Factors to consider include soil type, turbine size and weight, seismic activity, and environmental conditions.

• Types of foundations include block, pile, and raft foundations.

• Block foundations are suitable for smaller turbines on stable soil.

• Pile foundations are used for larger turbines or unstable soil.

• Raft foundations are us...read more

Ductile detailing for beam, column, and foundation involves following IS codes and ensuring proper reinforcement placement.

• For beams, IS 13920 is followed and reinforcement is placed at the bottom of the beam.

• For columns, IS 13920 and IS 456 are followed and reinforcement is placed in a spiral pattern.

• For foundations, IS 13920 and IS 2911 are followed and reinforcement is placed in a specific pattern based on the type ...read more

Pile foundations are used to transfer loads from structures to soil. Different types include driven piles, bored piles, and screw piles.

• Driven piles are installed by hammering or vibrating them into the ground.

• Bored piles are created by drilling a hole and then filling it with concrete and steel reinforcement.

• Screw piles are twisted into the ground using a hydraulic motor.

• Design considerations include soil type, load c...read more

Shear walls are designed to resist lateral forces. Detailing includes reinforcement placement and anchorage.

• Design shear walls based on the building code requirements and structural analysis.

• Select appropriate materials and thickness for the shear wall.

• Detail the reinforcement placement and anchorage to ensure proper load transfer.

• Provide adequate boundary elements and openings for ducts and pipes.

• Consider seismic and ...read more

I have experience with various software for structural analysis.

• STAAD.Pro

• SAP2000

• ETABS

• ANSYS

• AutoCAD Structural Detailing

To model raft foundation or shear wall in finite element method, one needs to follow certain steps.

• First, create a 3D model of the foundation or wall using a CAD software.

• Next, import the model into a finite element analysis software.

• Define the material properties and boundary conditions.

• Mesh the model to create finite elements.

• Solve the model to obtain the stresses and displacements.

• Finally, analyze the results and ma...read more

Water retaining structures are designed as per IS code and crack width is limited to ensure safety.

• Design of water retaining structures involves determining the loads, selecting materials, and ensuring stability.

• IS 3370 is the code used for design of water retaining structures in India.

• The crack width for water retaining structures is limited to 0.2 mm to ensure safety and prevent leakage.

• Various types of water retaini...read more

Yes, I have worked with both American and British codes.

• I have experience working with the International Building Code (IBC) which is based on American codes.

• I have also worked with British Standards (BS) such as BS 5950 for structural steel design.

• I am familiar with the differences between the two codes and can adapt accordingly.

Different load combinations for RCC and Steel structures.

• Load combinations for RCC structures include dead load, live load, wind load, earthquake load, and temperature load.

• Load combinations for Steel structures include dead load, live load, wind load, earthquake load, temperature load, and snow load.

• Load combinations are determined based on the design codes and standards applicable to the project.

• The load combinations...read more

Yes, I have extensive experience in site inspections and creating progress and quality reports.

• I have conducted site inspections for various projects in my previous roles.

• I am proficient in creating detailed progress and quality reports based on my observations during site inspections.

• I have also implemented corrective actions based on the findings of my inspections to ensure project success.

• For example, in my previous...read more

To draw a bending moment and shear force diagram for a portal frame with lateral force and UDL.

• Calculate the reactions at the supports

• Determine the shear force and bending moment at each section

• Plot the shear force and bending moment diagrams

• Identify the maximum shear force and bending moment

• Consider the sign conventions for shear force and bending moment

• Use appropriate software or tools for accurate results