Interview Questions & Answers

1. What checks do you provide for designing a steel beam?

Strength (bending, shear, buckling), deflection, web crippling, flange local buckling, lateral-torsional
buckling, and connection design.
2. Draw the connection details of a typical beam-column junction. (moment as well as
shear connection)
Sketch required:
Moment connection: Welded flanges/bolted end plates.
Shear connection: Web cleats/fin plates.
3. What do FE250 and FE350 refer to? Where and when to use both?
FE250: Mild steel (fy = 250 MPa). FE350: High-strength steel (fy = 350 MPa). Use FE350 for
heavily loaded primary members; FE250 for secondary elements.

4. Static condition for earthquake? Define: Zone factor (Z), Importance factor (I), Re-
sponse reduction factor (R), Average acceleration coefficient. What is seismic weight?
Z: Seismic hazard (0.1–0.36). I: Structure importance (1.0–1.5). R: Ductility (3–5). Avg. acc.
coeff: Z2 . Seismic weight: Dead load + 25% live load + wall weight.
5. What percentage of live load should be taken for calculation of seismic weight?
25% (IS 1893).
6. Draw the lateral force distribution diagram?
Sketch required: Triangular distribution peaking at base.
7. What is the significance of 2 in the formula of Ah ?
Z I Sa
Converts peak ground acceleration to average acceleration: Ah = 2 · R · g .

8. What is the design base shear?

VB = Ah · W , where W = seismic weight.
9. Differentiate between conventional PCC design and RCC design for water structures?
PCC: Relies on mass; no reinforcement. RCC: Uses reinforcement for crack control and strength.

10. Write down the design steps for an isolated footing subjected to load P and biaxial
moments Mx , My ?
P Mx My
(a) Calculate soil pressure: q = A ± Iy ·y± Ix ·x
(b) Verify q ≤ qallow
(c) Design for bending and shear
(d) Check development length

11. Write down the steps for column design?

(a) Determine factored loads
(b) Check slenderness ratio ( rl ≤ 60)
l D


(c) Apply minimum eccentricity: max 500 + 30 , 20 mm
(d) Design for axial load + biaxial bending (use SP-16 charts)
(e) Verify reinforcement (0.8–6%)
12. Write down the steps for steel beam design?

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 (a) Calculate Mu , Vu
(b) Select section based on plastic section modulus (Zp )
(c) Check bending strength, shear capacity, deflection, web buckling/crippling

13. Explain various terms in wind force calculation: Vz , Vb , K1 , K2 , K3 , k4 , CF , Pz , Ac

Vz : Design speed at height z. Vb : Basic wind speed. K1 : Risk coefficient. K2 : Terrain/height factor.
K3 : Topography factor. k4 : Cyclonic importance. CF : Force coefficient. Pz = 0.6Vz2 . Ac : Projected
area.
14. What is gust? Explain gust factor method in wind dynamics.√
Gust: Short-duration wind surge. Gust factor: G = 1 + gf r B (gf = peak factor, r = roughness,
B = background turbulence).
15. When is dynamic analysis performed for wind load?
For flexible structures (height > width, natural frequency < 1 Hz).
16. How are soils classified based on SPT value? What is SPT(N ) value?
SPT(N ) Soil
<4 Very loose
4–10 Loose
10–30 Medium
30–50 Dense
>50 Very dense
SPT(N ): Blows for 30 cm penetration after 15 cm seating drive.
17. List IS codes for:
(a) Liquid retaining IS 3370
(b) RCC IS 456
(c) Earthquake IS 1893
(d) Ductile detailing IS 13920
(e) Pre-stressed concrete IS 1343
(f) Steel design IS 800
(g) Foundation IS 1904
(h) Loadings IS 875
18. What is fck and fy ? What does M20 represent?
fck : Concrete characteristic strength. fy : Steel yield strength. M20: fck = 20 MPa.
19. What is modulus of elasticity and modulus of rigidity?
stress E
E = strain , G = 2(1+µ) (µ = Poisson’s ratio).

20. Formula √ for tensile strength of concrete?

ft = 0.7 fck (IS 456).
21. Min/max reinforcement % in:
Min Max
(a) Beam 0.85% 4%
(b) Column 0.8% 6%
(c) Slab 0.12% 4%
(d) Footing 0.12% 0.5%
(e) Shear wall 0.25% 4%
22. Clear cover for:
(a) Slab 20 mm
(b) Beam 25 mm
(c) Column 40 mm
(d) Footing 50 mm
(e) Shear wall 25 mm
(f) Retaining wall 40 mm
(g) Pile cap 75 mm
(h) Raft 75 mm

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23. What is torsion?
Twisting moment causing shear stresses.
24. What is center of mass and center of rigidity?
CoM: Point where mass is concentrated. CoR: Point where lateral force causes pure translation.

25. What is fundamental time period? Natural time period?

Time for one complete oscillation under free vibration (both terms synonymous).
26. What are mode shapes? How many to consider?
Deformed configurations at natural frequencies. Consider modes covering ≥ 90% mass participation.

27. Dynamic analysis types in earthquake engineering?

Response spectrum, time history, pushover analysis.
28. When is dynamic analysis performed in earthquake engineering?
For irregular structures, heights > 90 m, or seismic zones IV/V.

29. Limitations of lateral sway in earthquake and wind?

Earthquake: 0.004× height. Wind: H/500.
30. Formula for minimum shear reinforcement?
Asv 0.4
bsv ≥ 0.87fy (IS 456).

31. Formulae for spacing of shear reinforcement?

• Min spacing: 0.75d

• Max spacing: min(0.75d, 300 mm)
0.87fy Asv d
• Design spacing: sv = Vus

32. What is degree of freedom?

Independent displacements defining structural configuration.
33. How many P equations
P of equilibrium
P are there?
3 in 2D ( Fx = 0, Fy = 0, M = 0); 6 in 3D.
34. Formulae for static and kinematic indeterminacy?
Static: Ds = m + r − 2j (trusses).
Kinematic: Dk = 3j − r (frames).
35. What is subgrade modulus? Formula?
Pressure
Soil stiffness: k = Settlement (kN/m³).
36. Draw SFD, BMD, deflected shapes for beams?

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37. Find reaction and force in members?

38. Difference between limit state and working stress methods?

WSM: Elastic design with global safety factor.
LSM: Partial safety factors for loads/materials; considers ultimate & serviceability states.
39. Effect of foundation soil in earthquakes?
Soft soils amplify shaking; saturated sands may liquefy.

40. What is response reduction factor? Significance? Values for frames?

Factor (R) accounting for ductility and overstrength. Values: OMRF=3, SMRF=5, Braced=4.
41. Checks for correctness of analysis?
Equilibrium, compatibility, convergence (FEA), stress equilibrium.

42. Types of limit states?

Ultimate (strength, stability) and serviceability (deflection, cracking, vibration).
43. Factors for durability?
Cover, concrete grade, crack width, environment exposure, workmanship.

44. Environmental conditions for concrete?

Mild, moderate, severe, very severe, extreme (IS 456: Table 3).
45. Draw lateral earth pressure diagram for cantilever wall?
T riangular distribution (Ka γh), Ka = 1−sin ϕ
1+sin ϕ .

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46. Percentage elongation of HYSD bar?
Fe415: 14.5%, Fe500: 12%.

47. What is characteristic strength?

Strength with 95% probability of exceedance (e.g., fck , fy ).
48. What is characteristic load?
Load with 95% probability of non-exceedance.

49. What is partial safety factor? Values for concrete/steel?

Factors accounting for uncertainties: γc = 1.5 (concrete), γs = 1.15 (steel).
50. Load combinations in RCC?
1.5(DL+LL), 1.2(DL+LL+EL), 1.5(DL+EL), 0.9DL+1.5EL.

51. Select odd one out:

(a) 1.5DL+1.5LL
(b) 1.2(DL+LL+EL)
(c) 1.5(DL+LL+EL)
(d) 0.9DL+1.5EL
Correct answer is option (c)

52. Different terrain categories?

Category 1 (open sea)
Category 2 (flat terrain)
Category 3 (suburban)
Category 4 (urban) (IS 875-3).

53. Percentage of side face reinforcement? When provided?

0.1% of web area. For beams > 750 mm depth.
54. Define deep beam?
clear span
Beam with effective depth ≤ 2 (simply supported) or ≤ 2.5 (continuous).

55. Allowable bending stress of concrete in LSM?

Not applicable; LSM uses ultimate strength (0.36fck ).
56. Parameters τc,max depends on?
Concrete grade (IS 456: Table 20).
57. For ductile behaviour, what should fail first? (a) beam, (b) joint, (c) column
(a) Beam (”strong column-weak beam” philosophy).

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58. Preferred form of failure? (a) flexure, (b) shear, (c) torsion
(a) Flexure (provides warning signs).
59. Types of irregularities?
Plan (torsional, re-entrant corners) or vertical (soft storey, mass irregularity).

60. What is torsional irregularity?

When maximum storey drift > 1.2× average storey drift.
61. Draw ductile detailing of beam, column, and beam-column junction?
C onfinement ties, staggered splices, joint reinforcement.

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62. What is soft storey effect?
Significant reduction in lateral stiffness at any floor (e.g., open ground storey).
63. What is storey drift?
Relative lateral displacement between consecutive floors.

64. Maximum neutral depth Xu,max ?

Fe250: 0.53d
Fe415: 0.48d
Fe500: 0.46d.
65. Limiting moment of resistance for steel grades?
Mu,lim = 0.36fck bXu,max (d − 0.42Xu,max ).
66. Minimum
 eccentricity for column design?
unsupported length
max 500 + lateral dimension
30 , 20 mm .

67. Tests for soil bearing capacity? For clayey/sandy soil?

Tests: SPT, CPT, plate load test.

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 Clay: Unconfined compression test.
Sand: SPT.
68. Cement quantity for M20 concrete?
≈ 320 kg/m³ (8 bags/m³).

69. Steps for pile cap design?

(a) Size cap (min 150 mm beyond piles)
(b) Check truss action (θ ≥ 45◦ )
(c) Design for bending, shear, punching

70. Minimum spacing between piles?

2.5× dia (end-bearing)
3× dia (friction).
71. Max rl for compression member?
180 (IS 800:2007).
72. Euler’s formula for end conditions?
π 2 EI
Pe = (kL) 2 (k = effective length factor).

73. Relationship between E, G, K?

E
G = 2(1+µ)
E
K = 3(1−2µ) .

74. Stress block parameters? Derive for RC beam?

Depth = 0.416Xu
avg. stress = 0.36fck
Derived from strain compatibility and force equilibrium.
75. Poisson’s ratio for concrete/steel? Formula?
Concrete: 0.2
Steel: 0.3
µ = − ϵϵlateral
axial
.
76. Difference between IS 800:1984 and 2007?
1984: Working stress method
2007: Limit state method with partial factors.
77. Difference between IS 1893:2002 and 2016?
2016: Revised seismic zoning, R-factors, diaphragm design provisions.
78. Differences in IS 875-3:1987 and 2015?
2015: Revised k4 for cyclonic regions, force coefficients, dynamic procedure.
79. What is response spectrum method?
Uses maximum response of SDOF systems to ground motion for MDOF analysis.

80. Define P-delta, nonlinear, pushover analysis?

P-delta: Effect of gravity loads on displaced configuration.
Nonlinear: Material yielding/large deformations.
Pushover: Incremental lateral loading to collapse.

81. What is a separation joint?

Gap between adjacent structures to prevent seismic pounding.
82. What is diaphragm? Types?
Horizontal element distributing lateral loads.
Types: Rigid (RCC slabs), semi-rigid (steel decks), flexible (wood sheathing).

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83. Natural frequency of structure?
Definition: The natural frequency of a structure is the inherent frequency at which it oscillates when
disturbed without any external force acting on it. It’s a fundamental dynamic property that depends
on theqstructure’s stiffness and mass and it is given by
k
wn = m (rad/sec).

84. Steps for shear wall design?

(a) Obtain shear and moment from analysis
(b) Design vertical reinforcement for bending
(c) Check shear capacity and boundary elements
(d) Provide confinement reinforcement
85. Along wind and across wind response?
Along wind: Parallel to wind direction.
Across wind: Perpendicular due to vortex shedding.
86. Pressure by 2 mm thick, 10 m deep water film on wall?
3 2
Hydrostatic pressure = γw h = 10 kN/m × 10 m = 100 kN/m (thickness irrelevant).
87. Design steps for shear wall as per IS 1893:2016?
(a) Determine design forces (1.25× elastic forces)
(b) Design for flexure and shear
(c) Check boundary elements where compressive stress > 0.2fck
(d) Provide ductile detailing (IS 13920)
88. Dual system in ductility?
Combination of moment-resisting frames and shear walls; frames provide ductility, walls provide
stiffness.
89. Live load on RCC roof slab?
1.5 kN/m² (no access)
3.0 kN/m² (with access).
90. Loads on LMR and OHT rooms?
LMR: Equipment weight. OHT: Water weight + 1.5 kN/m² live load.
91. Thermal expansion coefficient for concrete?
10 × 10−6 /◦ C.
92. Thermal expansion coefficient for steel?
12 × 10−6 /◦ C.
93. Formula for length change due to temperature?
∆L = α · L · ∆T (α = expansion coefficient).
94. Development length in tension/compression? Formula?
ϕσs
Tension: Ld = 4τ bd
(IS 456).
Compression: 0.8Ld .
95. 6 m³ water tank capacity in litres?
6000 litres.
96. Difference between stress and pressure?
Stress: Internal force per unit area.
Pressure: External force per unit area.
97. Define: Area averaging, wind directionality, combination factors?
Area averaging: Reduction factor for large surfaces.
Directionality: Probability factor for wind direction.
Combination: Factor for simultaneous wind pressures.

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 98. Checks for sewage treatment plant tank?
Crack width (< 0.2 mm), chemical resistance, hydrostatic pressure, uplift, leakage.
99. Steps for underground water tank design?

(a) Calculate water and earth pressures

(b) Design walls and base slab for bending
(c) Check uplift and buoyancy
(d) Ensure watertightness (minimum cracks)

100. Foundation for black cotton soil?

Under-reamed piles or raft foundation with soil stabilization.
101. Depth of isolated footing governed by? (a) flexure, (b) shear
(b) Shear (one-way/punching).
102. Section for one-way shear in pile cap?
(a) Distance d from column face.
103. Where is confinement reinforcement provided?
Column ends (top/bottom l0 length) and beam-column joints.
104. Ways to resist uplift? Factor of safety?
Anchors, ballast weight, friction piles. FOS ≥ 1.2.

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