BASIC CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

QUESTION BANK

UNIT 1 & 2

1. Explain the basic principles of surveying

2. Give the classifications of survey, explain briefly.
3. Explain the principle of chain surveying
4. Define the terms: (i) Tie station (ii) Check line (iii) Tie line and
(iv ) offset.
5. Explain the three basic operations in conducting chain surveying.
6. Define the terms: Traverse survey. How does it differ from chain
survey.
7. Explain the principle of prismatic compass with a neat sketch.
Explain the process of taking readings using it.
8. Explain with a neat sketch, the construction of surveyor’s
compass.
9. Distinguish between,
(a) Fore bearing and back bearing
(b)Open traverse and closed traverse
(c) Prismatic compass and surveyor’s compass
(d)Whole circle bearing and reduced bearing
(e) Simple leveling and differential leveling
(f) Back sight and foresight.
10. Explain the principle of compass surveying.
11. Define the following terms: (a) bearing (b) meridian (c)
Local attraction
12. Define the principle of a transite theodolite with a neat
diagram.
13. Name the fundamental lines of a transit and their relations.
14. Define the following terms with respect to the theodolite
(a) Centering (b) leveling (c) transitting (d) Line of sight (e)
face left observation (f) Face sight observation.
15. Explain with suitable sketches, the measurements of
horizontal angle and vertical angle of object.
16. Define the following terms in leveling: (i) Level Line (ii) Axis
of level tube (iii) Line of collimation (iv) Datum surface (v) Bench
Mark (vi) Height of collimation (vii) Change point (viii)
Intermediate sight
17. Explain the working principle of dumpy level with a neat
sketch.
18. Explain the principle of leveling with necessary diagrams.
19. Distinguish between simple leveling and differential
leveling, with suitable sketches.

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 20. Explain two methods of computing reduced level of points.
21. List the characteristic of contours. Mention any three uses
of contour maps.
22. Find the back bearings for the following observed fore
bearings of the lines
(a) AB = 15o30’ (d) DE = 345o15’ (g) ST = N 81o00’
(b) BC = 125 40’
o
(e) PQ = N 12 45’ E
o

(c) CD = 210 00’

o
(f) RS = S 45o20’ E

23. The following staff readings were observed successively

with a level, the instrument is moved after third, sixth and eighth
readings.
3.120, 1.505, 0.900, 2.500, 2.955, 1.115, 0.505, 2.165 metres.

Enter the above readings in a page of a level book and calculate

the R.L. of points if the first reading was taken with a staff held
on a bench mark of 410.00 m.

24. From a chain line, the following perpendicular offsets were

measured to a boundary line.

Distance 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

along the
chain m
Perpendicul 0 4.50 3.75 2.85 4.10 3.95 4.05 3.80
ar offset

Determine the area between boundary and the chain line. (i) By
mean ordinate (b) by trapezoidal rule (c) By simpson’s rule.

Civil Engineering Materials:

1. Discuss the various physical and mechanical properties of

building materials.
2. Explain the various constituents of good brick earth.
3. State and explain the various essential qualities of good bricks.
4. Explain the description and working of a pug mill.
5. Discuss the operation of intermittent kiln used for burning of
bricks.
6. Explain the features and working principle of Hoffman’s
continuous kiln.
7. Compare clamp burning and kiln burning.
8. Discuss the classification of bricks in detail.
9. Explain the various special types bricks and their uses.
10. What are the various tests to be conducted on bricks to
decide the suitability. Explain in detail.

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11. List the various applications of different types of bricks.
12. How do you classify rocks? Explain in detail.
13. What are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Give examples.
14. Describe the requirements or properties of good building
stones in detail.
15. Explain the types are to be conducted for the suitability of
building stones.
16. Discuss the various types of building stones and their uses.
17. List the various tests for sand and explain briefly.
18. What are the various ingredients or Portland Cement.
Explain their functions.
19. Explain the process of manufacturing the Portland Cement
in a rotary kiln.
20. List the various tests to be conducted to ascertain the
quality of Portland cement.
21. Explain the various kinds of cements and their uses.
22. Explain the different constituents of concrete and their
functions.
23. Discuss the characteristics of cement concrete as a
building material.
24. List the advantages and disadvantages of cement concrete
as a building material.
25. Describe the various uses of cement concrete.
26. Describe the classification of concrete based on various
factors.
27. Discus the process of preparation of cement concrete.
28. Discuss the proportions of ingredients, properties and uses
of reinforced cement concrete.
29. Explain the measurement of workability of concrete is
done. Describe the slump test with necessary diagrams.
30. What are the classification of steel, their properties and
uses.
31. Describe the various forms of rolled steel sections meant
for structural uses.
32. Define the terms elasticity, plasticity, ductility and
toughness.
33. Distinguish between second class and third class bricks.
34. Sketch a perforated brick.
35. Define the terms (a) crushing strength test (b)
efflorescence test
36. Define the terms (a) Quarrying (b) Dressing of stones.
37. Write short notes on (i) Granite (ii) Basalt (iii) Marble
38. What are four distinct operations in brick manufacturing.
39. Name any three artificial stones used as building material.
40. What are three natural sources of sand.

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41. Define the phenomenon of bulking of sand.
42. List any three functions of sand as a building material.
43. Mention any five uses of cement.
44. State any three important properties of cement mortar.
45. Distinguish between cement mortar and lime mortar.
46. Mention any three important uses of cement mortar.
47. Define the terms workability of concrete, water cement
ratio and 1:2:4 concrete mix.
48. Write short notes on (i) Prestressed cement concrete (ii)
Pre cast concrete
(iii) Light weight concrete
49. Why steel rods are used in RCC.
50. State any three properties of steel as a reinforcing
material.
51. State any three important uses of RCC.
52. Stat an three important properties of RCC.

Foundation.

1. What are the factors to be considered in the selection of a

suitable site for construction.
2. Describe the components of a building with a neat sketch.
3. Write short notes on
(i) Damp proof course (ii) Sun Shade (iii) weathering course
(iv) parapet wall.
4. Explain the several functions of foundations in a civil structure.
5. Discuss the classification of soils, their constituents and uses.
6. Define the terms (i) Bearing capacity of soil (ii) Ultimate bearing
capacity of soil (iii) safe bearing capacity of coil (iv) Allowable soil
pressure.
7. Discuss the different methods of improving the bearing capacity
of soil.
8. Discuss in detail the various possible foundation failures, their
causes and precautions.
9. Discuss the various requirements of good foundations for a
building.
10. Write short notes on (i) Lateral shape of soil (ii) Shrinkage
of sub soil (iii) Sliding of soil (iv) Overturning.
11. Discuss any two types of spread foundations with neat
sketches.
12. Explain the types of combined footings with neat sketches.
Mention their uses.
13. Discuss the following types of foundations with suitable
sketches and state their uses.
(a) Raft foundation (b) Well foundation.

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14. What is a pile foundation. State its applications. List the
classification of piles
15. Explain the following with neat sketches.
(a) Steel piles (ii) Pre cast concrete piles (c) Friction
piles (d) End bearing piles.
16. What is a pier? Name the types of piers. What are their
uses.
17. Explain any one type of pier foundation with neat sketch.
18. Explain the following with suitable sketches.
(a) Block foundation (b) Block and trough foundation
(c) Framed type foundation.

Super structure

1. Explain with neat sketches the various types of bonds in brick

work.
2. Distinguish between (a) English bond and Flemish bond
(b)Brick masonry and stone masonry.
3. Explain the basic principles of brick masonry construction.
4. Explain the precautions to be observed in brick work
construction.
5. Explain the basic principles of stone masonry construction.
6. Explain the following types of beams with illustrated diagrams.
(a) Fixed beam
(b)Cantilever beam
(c) Continuous beam
(d)Overhanging beam
(e) Singly reinforced beam
(f) Doubly reinforced beam.
7. Describe the RCC columns of square, rectangular and circular
sections with neat sketches.
8. What are the precautions to be observed in column construction.
9. Explain the following arrangements of lintels with illustrated
sketches.
(a) Lintel over interior door opening
(b)Lintel over exterior door opening.
10. Explain the following types of sloping roofs with detailed
sketches.
(a) Lean-to roof
(b)Coupled roof
(c) Coupled close roof.
11. Discuss the various requirements of a good roof
12. List the advantages and disadvantages of RCC flat roof
13. Describe the components of the flat RCC roof. Explain its
construction in detail.

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14. Write short notes on (a) King post roof truss (b) King post
steel rof truss
15. List the advantages, disadvantages and uses of steel roof
trusses.
16. Describe any one type of curved roof with a suitable
sketch. Mention its uses.
17. Describe the important factors to be considered in the
selection of floorings for ground floors and upper floors.
18. List the various types of flooring
19. Describe the flooring used for heavy duty industrial floors.
20. Explain the following types of flooring with illustrated
diagrams.
(a) Brick flooring
(b)Cement concrete flooring
(c) Terrazzo flooring
(d)Granolithic flooring
(e) Mosaic flooring
(f) Marble flooring.
21. What are the purposes of plastering? List the various
requirements of good plaster.
22. Explain the procedure to be adopted for plastering work.
23. Name the different types of lintels.
24. State any three roof covering materials.

Bridges

1. What are the factors to be considered in selection of bridge site.

2. Explain the component parts of a bridge with a suitable sketch.
3. What are the various factors based on which the bridges are
classified.
4. Name any one bridge which can be used both for road ways and
railways. Draw a neat sketch and explain its construction.
5. Explain the T beam and slab bridge with a neat sketch.
6. State any three advantages of each of the following type of
bridges.
(a) T beam bridge
(b)RCC bow string girder bridge
(c) Continuous RCC bridge
(d)Cantilever bridge
(e) Rigid frame RCC bridge
(f) Arch bridge.

7. Draw a neat sketch of a cantilever bridge and explain its

features.
8. Draw the sketch of an RCC bridge and state the functions of its
components.

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 9. Compare the constructional features of rigid frame RCC bridge
and steel rigid frame bridge with suitable sketches.
10. Define a suspension bridge. Draw a sketch and explain.
What are its advantages.
11. What are the various steel truss bridges. Sketch any three
types.
12. What is the function of a movable bridge. Explain with a
suitable sketch.

Dams

1. Draw a neat sketch and describe the various components of a

dam.
2. What are the various purposes of a dam
3. State the important factors governing the selection of site for a
dam.
4. Explain the classification of dams in detail.
5. Explain the concept of basic profile of gravity dam with a neat
sketch.
6. Explain briefly about the various forces acting on the gravity
dam.
7. Describe the major components of the gravity dam with a neat
sketch.
8. List the advantages and disadvantages including the uses of
gravity dam.
9. Explain the basic principles of an arch dam with a neat sketch.
What are its advantages.
10. Explain the construction of an RCC buttress dam with a an
illustrated sketch.
11. Describe the construction of homogeneous embankment
earth dam with a neat diagram.
12. Describe construction of diaphragm type embankment
earth dam with a neat diagram.
13. Explain the various modes of failure of earth dams.
14. Write short notes on
(a) Spill way
(b)Sluice
(c) Stability of dam structure
(d)Timber dam
(e) Drainage gallery
15. Describe the construction of rock fill dam with a neat
diagram.

BASICS OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND LANDSCAPING

1. Write short notes on

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 a. Modern interior design feature (ii) day light factor (iii) Eye
catching kitchen (iv) Interior decoration.
2. Discuss the various types of flooring in interior design.
3. Explain the concept of spacious rooms and comfortable rooms
4. Briefly narrate the history of landscape architecture.
5. Write brief notes on,
(a) Landscape products (b) Soft landscape materials (c) Hard
landscape
materials (d) Water – efficient landscaping.
6. What do you understand by theme room.
7. List the projects involved in the landscape architecture concept.

UNIT III – Power Plant Engineering, Pumps and Turbines.

Part-A

1. Define power plant.

2. What are the different types of power plants?
3. State the function of the condenser in the steam power plant.
4. What is the function of moderator in nuclear power plant?
5. What are the materials used as a moderator in a nuclear power
plant?
6. What are the fuels used in a nuclear power plant.
7. List out the factors to be considered for the selection of site for the
hydro electric power plant.
8. State the reason why the steam power plant is preferred than the
other plants.
9. What is a cooling tower?
10. What is the function of a penstock?
11. What is meant by nuclear fission?
12. What is the function of a intercooler in gas turbine power plant?
13. Name the different components used in a gas turbine power plant.
14. What is radiation shielding.
15. What are the different types of hydro power plants?
16. State the demerits of steam power plant.
17. List out the applications of gas turbine power plant.
18. Name the locations where nuclear power plants were installed in
India.
19. Define steam turbine.
20 List out the main parts of a steam turbine.
21 How steam turbines are classified.
22. Differentiate between impulse and reaction turbine.
23. Relative velocity of a steam increases in a reaction turbine – Justify.

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 Part-B

1. Draw the layout of the steam power plant and explain.

2. Sketch the diesel power plant and explain its working principle, also
state its merits and demerits.
3. Draw the general arrangement of a nuclear power plant and explain
its working. List out its merits and demerits.
4. Explain how energy conversion is taking place in a solar
power plant, with a line sketch.
5. Draw the layout of a wind mill and state its advantages and
disadvantages.
6. Give the schematic layout of a hydro electric power plant and
explain the function of its each component.
7. What is the principle of a tidal power generation. Also
explain the low tide and high tide systems.
8. Define a centrifugal pump, explain the working of a single stage
pump with a sketch.
9. Explain the construction and working principle of a reciprocating
pump with neat sketch. Also state its applications.
10. With pressure velocity diagram explain the working of a
single stage impulse turbine.
11. With pressure velocity diagram explain the working of a
reaction turbine.
12. Differentiate between impulse and reaction turbine.
13. With a neat sketch, briefly explain about Lamont Boiler
14. Explain the construction and working principle of Cochran Boiler.
15. Name the important boiler mountings and briefly explain their
functions.
16. Name some of the boiler accessories, and explain their functions
with sketches.

UNIT IV
PART-A

1. What is an engine?
2. What are the different types of heat engine?
3. What is meant by SI Engine.
4. What is meant by CI Engine.
5. List out the main components of a SI Engine.
6. What is a four stroke cycle engine?
7. What is the function of a carburetor?
8. What is the fundamental difference between two stroke and four
stroke engine.
9. Why fuel is injected in a CI Engine.
10. Mention the different types of ignition systems used in SI
engine.

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 11. What is the function of a choke, in a petrol engine?
12. What is the function of a spark plug, in a petrol engine?
13. What is the function of a fuel pump in a diesel engine?
14. Define fuel injector.
15. What are the different types of cooling system used in IC
engines.
16. Define lubrication.
17. Mention some engine parts, that require lubrication.
18. What are the different types of lubrication systems in IC
Engines.
19. How boilers are classified.
20. List the advantages of high pressure boilers.
21. How modern boilers differ from olden day boilers.
22. What is the function of an economiser.
23. List out the boiler mountings.
24. What is the difference between boiler mountings and
accessories.
25. What is the function of a super heater.
26. What is the function of a air pre-heater.
27. Give few examples for water tube boiler.
28. Give few examples for fire tube boiler.

PART_B
1. With neat sketch, explain the major parts of an IC Engine.
2. Explain the working principle of four stroke petrol engine with neat
sketches.
3. With neat sketches, explain the working principle of two stroke
petrol engines.
5. Explain the working principle of a four stroke Diesel engine with neat
sketch.
6. With line diagram, explain the working principle of two stroke diesel
engine.
7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a CI engines over SI
Engines.
8. Compare two stroke and four stroke engines.
9. Compare air cooling and water cooling system used in IC engines.
10. Explain briefly about knocking and detonation.
11. With a neat sketch briefly explain about fuel injector.

UNIT V - PART_A
1. Define Refrigeration.
2. What is a refrigerator?
3. Define Refrigerant.
4. Give some examples for refrigerant.
5. Define COP
6. List out the properties of a good refrigerant.

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 7. State the function of a compressor in refrigeration system.
8. Give the applications of a refrigeration.
9. Define air conditioning.
10. Define Relative humidity.
11. Define DBT
12. Define WBT
13. List out the types of air conditioning.
14. Define Dew point temperature.
15. Define psychrometry.
16. Define relative humidity.
17. Differentiate between humidification and dehumidification.
18. What is the function of a capillary tube.
19. Differentiate between window air conditioner and package type
air conditioner.
20. Draw the layout of a domestic refrigerator.

PART-B

1. With a neat sketch explain the layout of a window air conditioning.

2. Draw the layout of a vapour compression refrigeration system, and
explain the working principle of it.
3. With a simple circuit diagram, explain the working principle of the
vapour
absorption refrigeration system.
4. Mention and describe the different types of refrigerants used.
5. With a neat diagram, briefly explain about the split type room air
conditioner.
6. Draw the layout of multi split air conditioner, and explain the
working principle of it.
7. Write down the definitions of the following:
(a) DBT (b) WBT (c) Relative Humidity (d) Dew point temperature
(e) humidity (f)Psychrometry (g) COP

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