30+ Assistant Bridge Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

The major bridge uses driven piles as the primary piling methodology.

• Driven piles are commonly used in major bridge construction.

• They are installed by hammering or vibrating the pile into the ground.

• Driven piles provide strong support and are suitable for various soil conditions.

• Examples of driven piles include steel H-piles and concrete piles.

Post tensioning and pre tensioning are methods used in prestressed concrete (PSC) girders to enhance their strength and durability.

• Post tensioning involves applying tension to the concrete after it has hardened, using steel tendons or cables.

• Pre tensioning involves applying tension to the tendons or cables before pouring the concrete, which transfers the force to the concrete when it hardens.

• Post tensioning allows for adjustments and repairs to be made after construction, whi...read more

Major bridges are larger and carry more traffic than minor bridges.

• Major bridges are typically longer and wider than minor bridges.

• Major bridges are designed to carry heavy loads and high volumes of traffic.

• Minor bridges are usually shorter and narrower, and they carry lighter loads and lower volumes of traffic.

• Major bridges often span large bodies of water or deep valleys, while minor bridges may span small streams or local roads.

• Examples of major bridges include the Golden ...read more

The minimum socket length for end bearing pile depends on the soil conditions and load requirements.

• The socket length should be sufficient to transfer the load from the pile to the competent stratum below.

• It is determined based on the soil investigation report and design calculations.

• In cohesive soils, the socket length is typically 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of the pile.

• In non-cohesive soils, the socket length may vary depending on the angle of internal friction and the pil...read more

Girder pre stressing system is a method of applying tension to the steel girders to increase their load-carrying capacity.

• Girder pre stressing system involves the use of high-strength steel cables or tendons that are tensioned and anchored to the girder.

• The tension in the cables creates a compressive force in the girder, which increases its load-carrying capacity.

• The maximum applied pressure in girder pre stressing system depends on the strength of the steel cables or tendons...read more

The latest update in civil engineering is the use of sustainable materials and technologies for construction projects.

• Increased focus on sustainable construction practices to reduce environmental impact

• Advancements in 3D printing technology for construction of complex structures

• Implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for efficient project management

• Innovations in bridge design for improved safety and durability

Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete using high-strength steel strands or bars.

• Post-tensioning is used to increase the strength and durability of concrete structures.

• The process involves placing high-strength steel strands or bars in the concrete before it sets, and then tensioning them after the concrete has hardened.

• The tensioning process compresses the concrete, making it stronger and more resistant to cracking and other forms of damage.

• Post-tensioning is co...read more

PSC girder is a type of bridge girder made of pre-stressed concrete and post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete.

• PSC girder stands for Pre-Stressed Concrete girder which is a type of bridge girder made of concrete that is pre-stressed with tensioning cables.

• Post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete by placing steel tendons in the concrete and then applying tension to the tendons after the concrete has hardened.

• This method helps to reduce the amount of con...read more

Pre-tensioning is done before casting concrete while post-tensioning is done after casting concrete.

• Pre-tensioning involves tensioning the tendons before the concrete is poured, creating compression in the concrete once it hardens.

• Post-tensioning involves tensioning the tendons after the concrete has hardened, allowing for greater control over the amount of tension applied.

• Pre-tensioning is typically used in precast concrete elements like beams and slabs, while post-tensionin...read more

Major bridges are larger and carry more traffic than minor bridges.

• Major bridges are typically longer and wider than minor bridges.

• Major bridges are designed to carry heavy loads and high volumes of traffic.

• Examples of major bridges include the Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge.

• Minor bridges are typically shorter and narrower than major bridges.

• Minor bridges are designed to carry lighter loads and lower volumes of traffic.

• Examples of minor bridges include pedestrian ...read more

The mineral present in bentonite clay is montmorillonite.

• Bentonite clay is composed mainly of montmorillonite

• Montmorillonite is a type of smectite clay mineral

• It has a high cation exchange capacity and is used in various industries

• Other minerals present in bentonite clay include quartz, feldspar, and calcite

Load actions on a bridge refer to the various forces and weights that act on the structure, including dead loads, live loads, wind loads, and seismic loads.

• Dead loads are the permanent weight of the bridge structure itself, such as the weight of the beams, deck, and piers.

• Live loads are the temporary loads that move across the bridge, such as vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic.

• Wind loads are the forces exerted by wind on the bridge, which can cause lateral movement and vibrat...read more

Pre-tensioning is done before casting the concrete while post-tensioning is done after casting the concrete.

• Pre-tensioning involves applying stress to the tendons before the concrete is poured.

• Post-tensioning involves applying stress to the tendons after the concrete has hardened.

• Pre-tensioning is typically used in precast concrete elements like beams and slabs.

• Post-tensioning is commonly used in cast-in-place concrete structures like bridges and parking structures.

The code related to road bridge construction includes various standards and guidelines such as AASHTO, ACI, and ASTM.

• AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) provides guidelines for design, construction, and maintenance of road bridges.

• ACI (American Concrete Institute) provides standards for concrete materials and construction practices.

• ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) provides standards for materials used in bridge construc...read more

The major bridge I executed had a continuous span arrangement with multiple spans.

• The major bridge had a continuous span arrangement with multiple spans

• The span arrangement was designed to accommodate the required length and load capacity

• The spans were connected seamlessly to ensure structural integrity and stability

Cube test strength after 28 days is a standard test to determine the compressive strength of concrete.

• Cube test involves casting cubes of concrete and testing them after 28 days to determine their strength

• The strength of concrete is usually measured in megapascals (MPa)

• The results of cube tests are crucial for ensuring the quality and durability of concrete structures

Cube test strength after 7 days is a measure of concrete's compressive strength.

• Cube test is conducted to determine the compressive strength of concrete after a certain period of curing, typically 7 or 28 days.

• The results of the cube test help in assessing the quality of concrete and its suitability for the intended purpose.

• The standard cube size for testing is 150mm x 150mm x 150mm.

• The strength of concrete is usually reported in megapascals (MPa).

Slump of pile concrete on site refers to the consistency or workability of the concrete mixture used for pile construction.

• Slump is a measure of the consistency of concrete before it sets. It is typically measured in millimeters.

• A higher slump indicates a more workable concrete mixture, while a lower slump indicates a stiffer mixture.

• Slump tests should be conducted regularly on site to ensure the concrete meets the required specifications.

• Factors such as temperature, mix desi...read more

The pH-value of Bentonite slurry is typically around 8-9.

• Bentonite slurry is commonly used in construction for various purposes such as drilling fluid, tunneling, and soil stabilization.

• The pH-value of Bentonite slurry is important as it can affect its performance and compatibility with other materials.

• A pH-value of around 8-9 is considered ideal for Bentonite slurry in most applications.

Types of grade cement include OPC, PPC, PSC, and SRC.

• Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most commonly used type of cement.

• Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) contains pozzolanic materials like fly ash.

• Portland Slag Cement (PSC) contains granulated blast furnace slag.

• Sulphate Resistant Cement (SRC) is used in construction exposed to sulphates.

Water-cement ratio (w/c) of concrete for pile is typically between 0.4 to 0.6.

• Water-cement ratio affects the strength and durability of concrete.

• Lower w/c ratio results in higher strength but may be difficult to work with.

• Higher w/c ratio may lead to lower strength and durability.

• For piles, a w/c ratio of 0.45 to 0.55 is commonly used.

• Proper curing is essential to achieve desired strength and durability.

I am available for the project and can commit to the required time and effort.

• I am currently not committed to any other projects

• I have the necessary skills and experience to contribute effectively

• I am willing to adjust my schedule if needed for the project

• I am excited about the opportunity to work on this project

Frequency of cube filling refers to how often a cube is filled with material or substance.

• Frequency of cube filling can vary depending on the project requirements and timeline.

• It is important to consider factors such as material availability, equipment efficiency, and labor resources.

• For example, in a construction project, the frequency of cube filling may be daily to ensure timely completion.

• Regular monitoring and adjustment of the filling frequency can help optimize the pro...read more

Specific gravity of bentonite is approximately 2.0 to 2.7.

• Specific gravity of bentonite is typically between 2.0 to 2.7.

• It is important to know the specific gravity of bentonite when designing foundations or retaining walls.

• Specific gravity can vary depending on the type and quality of bentonite used.

There are several types of pile load tests, including static load test, dynamic load test, and integrity test.

• Static load test involves applying a static load to the pile and measuring the response.

• Dynamic load test involves using a hammer to strike the pile and measuring the response.

• Integrity test involves using sonic or ultrasonic waves to test the integrity of the pile.

• Other types of pile load tests include statnamic load test and bi-directional load test.

Components of bridges include abutments, piers, deck, superstructure, substructure, and foundation.

• Abutments provide support at the ends of a bridge.

• Piers support the bridge deck in the middle.

• Deck is the surface that vehicles travel on.

• Superstructure includes beams, girders, and trusses.

• Substructure supports the superstructure and transfers loads to the foundation.

• Foundation transfers the bridge loads to the ground.

• Examples: Suspension bridge - cables, arch bridge - arches, ...read more

Bearings are structural components used to support and facilitate movement between two structural elements.

• Types include roller bearings, ball bearings, plain bearings, and fluid bearings.

• Roller bearings use cylindrical rollers to support heavy loads.

• Ball bearings use balls to reduce friction between two surfaces.

• Plain bearings have a sliding surface with no rolling elements.

• Fluid bearings use a thin layer of liquid or gas to support the load and reduce friction.

Unit weight of steel is typically around 7850 kg/m^3.

• Unit weight of steel is commonly used in structural engineering to calculate loads and design structures.

• The unit weight of steel is typically around 7850 kg/m^3, but can vary depending on the type of steel.

• For example, the unit weight of stainless steel is around 7480 kg/m^3, while the unit weight of carbon steel is around 7850 kg/m^3.

Unit weight of concrete is the weight of a specific volume of concrete, typically measured in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter.

• Unit weight of normal weight concrete is typically around 145-155 pounds per cubic foot or 2400-2500 kilograms per cubic meter.

• Lightweight concrete has a unit weight of around 90-115 pounds per cubic foot or 1440-1840 kilograms per cubic meter.

• Heavyweight concrete can have a unit weight of over 200 pounds per cubic foot or 3200 kilog...read more