Unit 1

Composite Construction:
1. What is the difference between composite and non-composite action in structural
engineering?

Composite Action

Definition: Composite action occurs when two or more materials (e.g., steel and concrete) are used
together in such a way that they act as a single unit to resist loads. This usually involves the use of
shear connectors (like studs or bolts) to bond the materials together, allowing them to work in
harmony.

Example: A composite beam made of a steel I-beam and a concrete slab. The steel resists bending,
while the concrete resists compression. The shear connectors allow the two materials to share the
load, improving the overall strength and stiffness of the structure.

Advantages:

Higher load-carrying capacity.

More efficient use of materials (e.g., steel and concrete).

Reduced material costs due to improved structural performance.

Non-Composite Action

Definition: Non-composite action occurs when the materials or components do not work together as
a single unit. Each material in the structure resists loads independently, and there is little or no
interaction between them.

Example: A non-composite beam where a steel beam supports a concrete slab, but there are no
shear connectors to bond the two materials. The steel beam and the concrete slab act separately,
with the beam resisting bending and the slab resisting compression, but without sharing loads.

Advantages:

Simpler construction and design.

No need for shear connectors, which may reduce complexity and cost in some cases

2. Explain the concept of composite steel-concrete construction.

3. What are the advantages of composite steel-concrete construction over traditional methods?

4. Discuss the factors influencing the choice between composite and non-composite construction.

5. How does the interaction between steel and concrete contribute to the overall strength in
composite construction?

6. What are the types of composite materials used in steel-concrete construction, and why are they
preferred?

7. Define the term 'shear connector' and explain its role in composite construction.

1
8. How does the stiffness of composite beams compare to non-composite beams?

9. Discuss the behavior of composite floor systems under live loads and dead loads.

10. What are the challenges associated with the design of composite construction, and how are they
overcome?

Formwork:
11. What are the different materials used for formwork in concrete construction?

12. Explain the properties that make timber a commonly used material for formwork.

13. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using steel for formwork.

14. What is the importance of proper design in formwork for ensuring structural safety?

15. How does the design of formwork differ for vertical and horizontal concrete elements?

16. What are special types of formwork, and in what situations are they used?

17. Discuss the concept of reusable formwork and its environmental benefits.

18. What are the key factors that influence the selection of formwork materials for a project?

19. Explain the process of designing formwork for a large-scale concrete structure.

20. What are the safety considerations when using formwork in construction?

Unit 2

New Materials for Construction:

1. What are geosynthetics, and what are their applications in modern construction?

2. What are the advantages of using epoxy resins in construction, and in what scenarios are
they most beneficial?

3. Define Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and explain how it enhances the performance of
concrete structures.

4. How does Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) compare to traditional materials like steel and
concrete in construction?

2
 5. How do Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) contribute to the durability and strength of
structural elements?

6. What is the role of FRC in improving the crack resistance and impact resistance of concrete
structures?

7. Discuss the advantages and challenges of using Polymer-based composites in construction.

8. What challenges might engineers face when using new materials like FRP, FRC, and
geosynthetics in construction?

9. How do the mechanical properties of FRC differ from those of conventional concrete in terms
of strength and flexibility?

10. What innovations in construction have emerged due to the use of these new materials (FRC,
FRP, epoxy resins, etc.)?

Land Reclamation:

11. What is land reclamation, and what are the main techniques used in the process?

12. What are the environmental impacts of land reclamation, and how can they be mitigated?

13. Discuss the role of drainage systems in successful land reclamation projects.

14. How do drainage techniques improve the quality and usability of reclaimed land?

15. What are the challenges involved in managing groundwater and surface water during land
reclamation?

16. How is structural improvement achieved in land reclamation projects?

17. Explain the process of soil stabilization and its importance in land reclamation.

18. What are the key factors that determine the success of a land reclamation project, including
drainage and structural improvement?

19. What are the potential risks associated with land reclamation, particularly in coastal areas?

20. What future developments or innovations are expected in land reclamation technologies,
particularly with respect to drainage and structural improvements?

Unit 3

Construction of Power Plants:

3
1. What are the different methods of power generation used in power plants, and how do they
work?

2. Explain the basic structure and components of a typical power plant.

3. What are the key structural requirements when designing power plants for efficient energy
generation?

4. How does an atomic power station work, and what are the key components involved in its
operation?

5. What are the safety concerns associated with the construction and operation of atomic power
plants?

6. Describe the process of generating electricity in a thermal power station.

7. What are the major structural elements in a thermal power station, and what are their functions?

8. How do steam turbines in thermal power stations contribute to power generation?

9. What are the environmental impacts of thermal power stations, and how can they be mitigated
during construction?

10. Discuss the types of fuels used in thermal power stations and how they influence the design and
efficiency of the plant.

11. What are the challenges involved in the construction of atomic power stations, especially in
terms of material selection and safety?

12. Explain the cooling systems used in both thermal and atomic power plants. Why are they critical
to plant operation?

13. How does the construction of a windmill-based power plant differ from traditional thermal or
atomic power plants?

14. What are the primary structural components of a windmill, and how do they contribute to energy
generation?

15. Discuss the environmental benefits of wind energy as compared to thermal and atomic energy
generation.

16. What are the key design considerations when constructing a windmill for power generation?

17. How does wind energy generation impact the local environment and communities during
construction and operation?

18. What are the advantages and disadvantages of windmills as a power generation source compared
to other types of power plants?

19. What are the challenges in integrating wind energy into the national power grid, and how can
they be addressed in construction?

20. How do the structural requirements for power plants differ depending on the type of generation
(atomic, thermal, wind)?

4
Unit 4

Rehabilitation of Bridges:

1. What are the primary reasons that necessitate the rehabilitation of bridges?

2. Explain the common signs that indicate a bridge requires rehabilitation.

3. What are the different methods of strengthening bridges, and how do they work?

4. How does the process of bridge retrofitting differ from rehabilitation?

5. What role does material selection play in the rehabilitation of bridges?

6. How can the structural capacity of a bridge be improved without completely rebuilding it?

7. What are the methods used for corrosion prevention and treatment in bridge rehabilitation?

8. What are the challenges faced during the rehabilitation of historical or heritage bridges?

9. What factors must be considered when deciding whether to rehabilitate or replace an aging
bridge?

10. How do new technologies like sensors and monitoring systems assist in bridge rehabilitation?

Retaining Structures:
1. What are diaphragm walls, and how are they used in retaining structures?

2. Discuss the different types of diaphragm walls and their applications in construction.

3. How does the design of diaphragm walls vary depending on soil conditions and load
requirements?

4. What are the advantages of using diaphragm walls over traditional retaining walls?

5. Discuss the construction techniques for diaphragm walls, including excavation and concrete
pouring methods.

6. What are the challenges associated with constructing diaphragm walls in difficult ground
conditions?

7. How are diaphragm walls used in conjunction with other retaining structures to improve stability
in challenging terrain?

5
8. What are the materials commonly used for constructing diaphragm walls, and how do they ensure
structural integrity?

9. How does the presence of water influence the design and construction of retaining structures?

10. What are the environmental impacts of retaining structures, and how can they be mitigated in
the construction process?

Unit 5

1. What is compacted concrete, and how is it different from conventional concrete?

2. How does compaction affect the strength and durability of concrete?

3. What are the primary benefits of using compacted concrete in large-scale construction projects?

4. How is vacuum concrete produced, and in what types of construction is it most useful?

5. What advantages does vacuum concrete offer over traditional concrete in terms of strength and
workability?

6. Explain the process of vacuum dewatering and how it contributes to the curing of concrete.

7. In what situations is vacuum concrete preferred, and what are the limitations of using this
method?

8. What is ready-mix concrete, and how does its use streamline the construction process?

9. What are the key benefits of using ready-mix concrete compared to site-mixed concrete?

10. How does ready-mix concrete contribute to better quality control in construction?

11. What are the environmental considerations of using ready-mix concrete in construction projects?

12. What is concrete dewatering, and why is it necessary in concrete slab construction?

13. How does dewatering impact the curing process of concrete slabs, and what methods are
commonly used?

14. What are the challenges involved in dewatering during the construction of concrete slabs?

15. What are the different types of dewatering techniques used in concrete slab construction?

16. Explain the concept of reinforced earth construction and its role in modern civil engineering.

6
17. How does reinforced earth construction improve the stability and load-bearing capacity of
foundations?

18. What materials are typically used in reinforced earth construction, and how are they integrated
into the design?

19. What are the methods for foundation strengthening, and how do they enhance the performance
of existing structures?

20. What factors should be considered when selecting a foundation strengthening technique for an
aging or damaged foundation?

Unit 6

Construction of Concrete Pavement:

1. What is the process of vacuum processing in concrete pavement construction, and how does it
improve concrete quality?

2. How does vacuum processing help in reducing the permeability of concrete pavements?

3. What are the benefits of using vacuum processing in terms of the durability of concrete
pavements?

4. Describe the technique of revibrating concrete during pavement construction. How does it
enhance the pavement's performance?

5. How does the revibration process help in achieving a denser concrete structure?

6. What are the key advantages of using revibrated concrete in pavement construction compared to
conventional concrete?

7. What is roller-compacted concrete (RCC), and how is it applied in pavement construction?

8. How does the use of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) reduce construction time for pavements?

9. Compare the mechanical properties of roller-compacted concrete with conventional concrete used
in pavements.

10. What are the key differences in the construction process when using roller-compacted concrete
(RCC) for pavements?

11. What are the typical applications of roller-compacted concrete in pavement construction?

12. What is the role of compaction in roller-compacted concrete pavement construction?

7
13. How does the mixture composition of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) differ from conventional
concrete used in pavements?

14. What are the advantages of using roller-compacted concrete in high-traffic areas?

15. How does roller-compacted concrete improve the sustainability of pavement construction?

Slip Formwork:

16. What is slip formwork, and how does it differ from traditional formwork methods?

17. How does slip form paving work in pavement construction, particularly for road projects?

18. Discuss the role of slip formwork in achieving continuous, smooth, and efficient pavement
construction.

19. What are the advantages of using slip formwork in the construction of concrete pavements for
highways or large roads?

20. How is wet mix macadam (WMM) used in conjunction with slip form paving for road
construction?