10+ Senior Highway Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Explanation of design procedure for M40 grade concrete with dowel bars and tie bars.

• Minimum cement content of 360kg percum for M40 grade concrete

• Dowel bars of size 32mm S240 length 300mmC/C and PVC dowel sheet size 34mm×100 micron

• Tie bars of size 12mm dia tor bar length of tie bar 1m and spacing 300mmc/c

• Premix batching plant material is homogeneous and uniform with workability of less than 25mm+-10mm

• Separation membrane of size 125 micron with overlapping of length 300mm

• Textur...read more

The design procedure for M15 grade concrete using specified ratios and minimum cement content, along with proper handling and curing techniques.

• Use M15 grade concrete with aggregate and cement ratio of 12:2

• Minimum cement content of 150kg percum, or 120kg percum if fly ash is more than 20%

• Compressive strength testing of 5no sample cube concrete after 7 days curing

• Ensure DLC mix is homogeneous and uniform in premix batching plant

• Cover DLC during transport to site with tarpoline...read more

Bitumen and aggregate are laid at high temperatures for better bonding and compaction.

• High temperature improves the workability of bitumen and aggregate.

• It helps in achieving better bonding and compaction.

• Rolling at lower temperature ensures that the mixture is not damaged.

• The temperature range may vary depending on the type of bitumen and aggregate used.

Premix carpeting is a mixture of aggregate and gravel spread and rolled to a total thickness of 6 to 8mm.

• Premix carpeting is a type of road surface that is commonly used for low-traffic roads and driveways.

• It is made by mixing together aggregate and gravel, which are then spread and rolled to create a smooth surface.

• The total thickness of the premix carpeting is typically between 6 and 8mm.

• This type of road surface is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but it may not...read more

PQC, DLC, and GSB are all types of road construction materials.

• PQC stands for Pavement Quality Concrete and is a type of concrete used for road surfaces.

• DLC stands for Dry Lean Concrete and is a type of concrete used as a base layer for road construction.

• GSB stands for Granular Sub Base and is a layer of compacted granular material used as a foundation for road construction.

• All three materials are commonly used in road construction projects to create durable and long-lasting ...read more

Highways are needed to provide efficient transportation for people and goods, reduce traffic congestion, and promote economic growth.

• Highways provide a safe and efficient way for people and goods to travel long distances

• Highways help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas by providing alternative routes

• Highways promote economic growth by connecting businesses to markets and consumers

• Highways play a crucial role in emergency response and evacuation plans during natural disas...read more

The standard of Sub-grade refers to the quality and strength of the soil beneath a road or pavement.

• Sub-grade is the layer of soil beneath the road base and pavement layers.

• It should be compacted to a specified density to provide a stable foundation.

• The standard of sub-grade is determined by conducting tests like Proctor compaction test and CBR test.

• The sub-grade should have adequate drainage to prevent water from weakening the soil.

• Improper sub-grade preparation can lead to ...read more

GSB Gradation is a method of grading aggregates used in road construction.

• GSB stands for Granular Sub-Base.

• It is a method of grading aggregates based on their particle size.

• The gradation is important for ensuring proper compaction and stability of the road.

• The gradation is specified in terms of percentage passing different sieve sizes.

• For example, GSB 20 gradation means that 100% of the aggregates pass through a 20mm sieve and 0-40% pass through a 4.75mm sieve.

Skills in highway engineering include knowledge of design software, project management, problem-solving, and communication.

• Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D

• Strong project management skills to oversee construction projects

• Problem-solving abilities to address challenges like traffic flow optimization

• Effective communication skills to collaborate with team members and stakeholders

WMM stands for Wet Mix Macadam, which is a type of road construction material.

• WMM is a mixture of aggregates, water, and binding materials.

• It is used as a base or sub-base layer in road construction.

• WMM provides better strength and durability compared to conventional macadam.

• It is designed to withstand heavy traffic loads and adverse weather conditions.

• Examples of binding materials used in WMM include cement, lime, or bitumen.

Rigid pavements are made of concrete while flexible pavements are made of asphalt.

• Rigid pavements have high flexural strength and low deflection while flexible pavements have low flexural strength and high deflection.

• Rigid pavements are more durable and have a longer lifespan than flexible pavements.

• Flexible pavements are easier and cheaper to construct and maintain than rigid pavements.

• Examples of rigid pavements include jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) and continuousl...read more

GSB stands for Granular Sub-Base, which is a layer of compacted material used in road construction.

• GSB is a layer of material placed between the subgrade and the base course of a road.

• It provides a stable foundation for the road and helps in distributing the load from the traffic.

• The material used in GSB can vary, but it is typically a mixture of crushed stone, gravel, and sand.

• GSB is compacted to achieve a high degree of density and strength.

• It helps in preventing the upward...read more

Tolerance of top layers in highway engineering

• Tolerance refers to the acceptable deviation from the design specifications

• Top layers of a highway include asphalt, concrete, or other materials

• Tolerance is important to ensure the safety and durability of the road

• Factors affecting tolerance include climate, traffic volume, and materials used

• Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address tolerance issues

The unit weight of steel varies depending on the type and grade of steel.

• The unit weight of steel is typically measured in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter.

• The unit weight of common structural steel ranges from 490 to 785 pounds per cubic foot (7850 to 12560 kilograms per cubic meter).

• Different types of steel, such as stainless steel or high-strength steel, may have different unit weights.

• The unit weight of steel is an important factor in structural engineer...read more

Mix design of M20 concrete involves determining the proportions of cement, sand, and aggregate to achieve the desired strength and workability.

• M20 concrete is a commonly used grade of concrete for various construction applications.

• The mix design of M20 concrete typically follows the 1:1.5:3 ratio of cement, sand, and aggregate by volume.

• The water-cement ratio is an important factor in the mix design, affecting the strength and durability of the concrete.

• Various tests, such as...read more

Crest is the highest point of a layer in a pavement structure.

• Crest is also known as the high point.

• It is important to ensure that the crest is properly designed and constructed to prevent water from pooling on the surface.

• The thickness of the layer at the crest should be sufficient to support the traffic loads.

• Examples of layers in a pavement structure include the subgrade, base course, and surface course.