URC Construction Assistant Engineer - Civil Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Hydration process is the chemical reaction between cement and water which results in the hardening of concrete.

• Hydration process starts as soon as water is added to cement.

• The reaction produces heat and causes the mixture to harden and gain strength.

• The process continues for weeks and even months, resulting in a stronger and more durable concrete.

• The amount of water used in the mixture affects the hydration process and...read more

Concrete strength depends on various factors.

• Water-cement ratio

• Type and quality of cement

• Aggregate size and shape

• Curing conditions

• Mix design

• Age of concrete

• Temperature and humidity

• Presence of admixtures

Water is added to concrete mixer to make the mixture more workable and to achieve the desired consistency.

• Water is added to hydrate the cement and activate the chemical reaction that causes it to harden

• The amount of water added affects the strength and durability of the concrete

• Too much water can weaken the concrete and cause cracking

• The water should be added gradually and mixed thoroughly to ensure even distribution

• Ot...read more

Estimation of quantity is a crucial aspect of civil engineering projects.

• Estimation of quantity involves calculating the amount of materials required for a project.

• It is important to consider factors such as wastage, transportation, and storage when estimating quantities.

• Various methods such as approximate quantities, detailed estimates, and cubic rate estimates can be used for estimation.

• Software tools such as AutoCAD...read more

Design mix and BBS are important aspects of column construction.

• Design mix refers to the proportion of materials used in the concrete mix for the column.

• BBS or Bar Bending Schedule is a document that specifies the number, size, and shape of the reinforcement bars to be used in the column.

• Design mix and BBS are crucial for ensuring the strength and durability of the column.

• For example, a typical design mix for a column ...read more

Grades of concrete in a mixed batch can be estimated by performing a slump test and conducting compressive strength tests on samples.

• Perform a slump test to determine the workability of the concrete mix.

• Take samples from the mixed batch and cast test specimens for compressive strength testing.

• Conduct compressive strength tests on the specimens to determine the grade of concrete.

• Compare the test results with the standar

Site and laboratory tests on bricks and cement are essential for ensuring quality and durability of construction materials.

• Site tests for bricks include visual inspection, water absorption test, compressive strength test, and efflorescence test.

• Laboratory tests for bricks involve water absorption test, compressive strength test, efflorescence test, and soundness test.

• Site tests for cement include checking the color, sm...read more

Plastering work calculation involves determining the surface area of the wall and the thickness of the plaster.

• Calculate the surface area of the wall by multiplying the height and length of each wall segment.

• Determine the total surface area to be plastered by adding up the surface areas of all wall segments.

• Multiply the total surface area by the desired thickness of the plaster to get the volume of plaster needed.

• Consi...read more

A structure is a system or arrangement of parts that are interconnected and function together to support loads and resist forces.

• Structures can be man-made or natural

• They can be made of various materials such as steel, concrete, wood, etc.

• Examples include buildings, bridges, dams, towers, etc.

Types of concrete include ready-mix concrete, precast concrete, reinforced concrete, and shotcrete.

• Ready-mix concrete is produced in a batching plant and delivered to the construction site in a plastic condition.

• Precast concrete is cast in a reusable mold or form and cured in a controlled environment before being transported to the construction site.

• Reinforced concrete contains steel reinforcement bars to increase its ...read more

Grades of concrete refer to the strength of the concrete mix design.

• Grades of concrete are denoted by M10, M15, M20, etc. where 'M' stands for mix and the number denotes the compressive strength in MPa.

• Higher grade concrete has higher compressive strength and is used for structural purposes.

• Common grades include M25, M30, M35, and M40 for heavy-duty structures.

• The mix proportions vary for different grades of concrete t