Common Civil Engineering Interview Questions for IIT Placements

Preparing for civil engineering placements at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) can be a daunting task. To get through the rigorous selection process, candidates must navigate various types of interviews, from technical tests to group discussions and HR interviews. This article aims to unravel some of the common civil engineering interview questions that are frequently asked during these placement rounds, specifically at companies like Thyssenkrupp.

Technical Interview Experience: Thyssenkrupp Placement

Experiencer's Note: My name is Abhishek Pranav, and I had the unique experience of sitting for placements at Thyssenkrupp, one of the leading companies in the region. After clearing the aptitude and technical written tests, along with the group discussion and technical round, I was unfortunately rejected in the HR round, despite my best efforts. Here, I will provide a detailed account of my technical interview, including the questions and my responses.

Technical Interview Experience Breakdown

Setting the Tone: This was the first technical interview of my life, and nerves were my initial companions. I managed to keep my smile gentle and cute, which is a great way to maintain a positive demeanor during stressful situations.

Solving Qualitative SFD and BMD

Question: The interview began with a question to draw the qualitative SFD (Shear Force Diagram) and BMD (Bending Moment Diagram) for a portal frame subjected to a lateral concentrated load and vertical UDL (Uniform Distributed Load).

My Response: I managed to solve the problem within a few minutes. The interviewer nodded in approval, which was encouraging.

Continuous Beam Design

Question: The interviewer then asked me to draw the SFD and BMD for a continuous beam.

My Response: I completed the task correctly, earning another nod from the interviewer.

Structural Components and Trusses

Question: The interviewer then moved on to asking about different structural components, such as beams, columns, trusses, arches, and cables.

My Response: I was able to name the components and even drew a Pratt truss, demonstrating my understanding of the subject.

Structural Analysis

Question: The interviewer then wanted to know about the members in the Pratt truss that are in compression, tension, and zero force members.

My Response: I identified and named the correct members, further impressing the interviewer.

Steel and RCC Structures

Question: The interviewer then asked if I was more comfortable with steel structures or RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete).

My Response: I stated that I was comfortable with both, but I preferred solving steel problems more.

Limit State Design versus Working Stress Method

Question: The interviewer then posed a question on limit state design and how it differs from the working stress method.

My Response: I provided a detailed explanation for about five minutes, demonstrating my in-depth knowledge of structural design principles.

Design Steps for Lateral Restraint Beams

Question: The interviewer asked me to write down the design steps for laterally restrained beams.

My Response: I took approximately three minutes to write down all the steps, ensuring that I covered all aspects of the design process.

Slenderness Ratio and Significance

Question: The interviewer then inquired about the non-dimensional slenderness ratio and its significance.

My Response: I provided the correct answer and explained its importance in structural analysis.

Resume and Personal Information

Response: The interviewer asked for my resume and confirmed that I was not in the top five of my batch. I provided the resume with the correct pronunciation of my native place, Forbesganj.

Work Preference

Response: I expressed my willingness to work wherever the company wanted me, but I would prefer working in Pune if given a choice. The interviewer responded by thanking me and stating that my interview was over.

Next Steps: HR Round

After the technical interview, I proceeded to the HR round the next day. Despite my strong technical skills and better performance compared to some of the other candidates, I was rejected. The HR team had only two spots and had decided to select one candidate from and one from My friend who was selected had a slightly higher CGPA, while I had a slightly better interview performance.

Conclusion

Preparation and performance in the technical round can often determine the outcome of a placement at IITs. This article aims to provide insights into the types of questions and challenges faced during such interviews, with a focus on Thyssenkrupp's placement process. It is crucial for aspiring civil engineers to be well-prepared and confident in their responses to make a strong impression during these interviews.