The Civil Tales Sourish Das 1

PART II

QA/QC
Civil Engineering
Interview Questions
Complete Study Notes

- From the Desk of The Civil Tales

by D. Sourish
M.E. Construction Tech & Management
Civil Engineer | Educator | Encourager

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51. What is a checklist in QA/QC, and why is it important?

Answer:
A checklist ensures all quality parameters and site activities are
followed and recorded systematically. It prevents errors and
omissions.
52. What is meant by traceability in QA/QC?
Answer:
The ability to track materials, tests, inspections, and approvals from
source to site, ensuring transparency and accountability.
53. What is a concrete rebound number?
Answer:
The number displayed on a rebound hammer which correlates to
surface hardness and estimated compressive strength.

54. What is curing compound?

Answer:
A chemical applied to the concrete surface to retain moisture and
prevent rapid drying. Alternative to water curing.

55. What is the difference between shrinkage and creep in

concrete?

Answer:

• Shrinkage: Volume reduction due to moisture loss.

• Creep: Long-term deformation under constant load.

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56. What is DPC and why is it used?

Answer:
Damp Proof Course is a layer in building construction that
prevents moisture rising through walls and floors.

57. What is GGBS and why is it used in concrete?

Answer:
Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag is a cement substitute
that improves durability, workability, and reduces heat of
hydration.

58. What is the purpose of cube casting on site?

Answer:
To test and validate the compressive strength of the concrete
used in actual work.

59. How many samples are required for a concrete mix design?

Answer:
At least 15 cubes are typically prepared for various ages (7, 14,
28 days) as per IS 10262.

60. What is a Trial Mix?

Answer:
A lab-produced concrete batch used to determine the right
proportions of mix ingredients before actual site use.

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61. What is the permissible limit of silt in sand for concrete?

Answer:
Should not exceed 8% by volume (IS 2386 – Part II).

62. How do you test silt content in sand on-site?

Answer:
Using a silt test bottle filled with salt water and sand. Let it
settle and measure silt as a percentage.

63. What is the standard curing temperature for concrete cubes?

Answer:
Cubes should be cured in water at 27 ± 2°C as per IS 516.

64. What are the curing methods for concrete?

Answer:
• Water curing
• Membrane curing
• Steam curing
• Ponding
• Wet covering (hessian cloth)
65. What is the full form of QA/QC?

Answer:

• QA: Quality Assurance

• QC: Quality Control

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66. What is segregation and how to prevent it?

Answer:
Segregation is the separation of aggregates from the concrete
mix. Prevent it by proper handling, correct slump, and not over-
vibrating.
67. What is workability of concrete?
Answer:
Ease of placing, compacting, and finishing concrete. Measured by
the slump test or compaction factor.
68. What is a concrete mix ratio?
Answer:
Proportional combination of cement: sand: aggregate (e.g., M20 =
1:1.5:3 by volume).
69. What is the difference between OPC and PPC cement?
Answer:
• OPC: Faster setting, high strength, used in high-grade
concrete.
• PPC: Better durability, lower heat of hydration, eco-friendly.
70. How is rebar rust prevented on-site?
Answer:
• Use rust inhibitors

• Store in dry place

• Remove rust with wire brush or chemicals before placing

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71. What is formwork and how is its quality checked?

Answer:
Temporary structure to Mold concrete. Quality is checked for
alignment, leakage, surface finish, and tightness.

72. How do you test the bond between steel and concrete?

Answer:
By pull-out test or beam test to assess bond strength and
anchorage.

73. What is cover in reinforcement?

Answer:
The distance between reinforcement and the concrete surface,
protecting steel from corrosion and fire.

74. What is the minimum cover required for various elements (as
per IS 456)?

Answer:

• Slab: 15–20 mm

• Beam: 25 mm

• Column: 40 mm

• Footing: 50 mm

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75. What is an RFI in QA/QC?

Answer:
Request for Inspection – A formal document submitted to
request inspection of completed activities before proceeding.

76. What is a snag list or punch list?

Answer:
A document listing minor pending works or defects to be rectified
before final project handover.

77. What is honeycombing in concrete?

Answer:
Voids or gaps in concrete caused by improper compaction, leading
to weak zones and poor finish.

78. How is honeycombing prevented?

Answer:

• Proper mix design.

• Vibrating adequately.

• Avoiding cold joints.

• Ensuring no obstruction in reinforcement.

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79. What is the slump value for various concrete works?

Answer:

• Footing: 25–75 mm.

• Slab: 75–100 mm.
• Column: 75–150 mm.
• Pumped concrete: 100–150 mm.
80. What is an NCR in QA/QC?

Answer:
Non-Conformance Report – Issued when construction does not
meet specified requirements or standards.

81. What is a root cause analysis in QA/QC?

Answer:
A method to identify the underlying cause of a defect or non-
conformance and implement corrective action.

82. What are the responsibilities of a QA/QC Engineer?

Answer:

• Prepare and maintain quality documents

• Conduct inspections
• Ensure adherence to specifications
• Coordinate with consultants/clients
• Maintain test records and reports

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83. What is a backfilling test?

Answer:
Field Density Test (FDT) using sand replacement or core cutter
method to check soil compaction during backfilling.

84. What is the difference between QA and QC?

Answer:

• QA: Preventive, process-focused

• QC: Detective, product-focused

85. What is the purpose of a trial pit?

Answer:
To visually inspect and understand sub-surface soil and utilities
before excavation.

86. What is the maximum allowable deviation in plumb for

columns?

Answer:
As per IS codes, up to 6 mm per 3 m height is generally
acceptable.

87. What is bleeding in concrete and how to control it?

Answer:
Water rising to the surface. Controlled by:

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 The Civil Tales Sourish Das 10

• Proper mix design

• Finer cement

• Use of admixtures

• Adequate compaction

88. What is the maximum number of rebars allowed in a single

layer?

Answer:
Limited by spacing — should allow proper compaction and cover;
IS 456 recommends minimum clear spacing = bar diameter or 25
mm.

89. What is the minimum crushing strength of bricks?

Answer:

• First Class Brick: Minimum 105 kg/cm² (10.5 MPa)

90. What is an inspection and test plan (ITP)?

Answer:
A document that defines when inspections are to occur, their
methods, and acceptance criteria during each construction stage.

91. What is a method statement in QA/QC?

Answer:
A detailed document describing how specific construction

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activities will be executed to meet quality and safety

requirements.

92. What is construction joint and when is it provided?

Answer:
A planned joint between two concrete pours, typically after a
work stoppage exceeding the initial set time.

93. What is a cold joint?

Answer:
An unplanned discontinuity between two concrete pours due to
delayed placement, leading to weak bonding.

94. What is the significance of curing period for concrete?

Answer:
Curing ensures proper hydration of cement, critical for strength
gain and crack prevention. Minimum 7 days (OPC), 10 days
(PPC).

95. What is the size of a standard concrete cube?

Answer:
150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm cube is standard for compressive
strength testing.

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96. What is a quality manual?

Answer:
A document outlining the quality management system, including
company policy, processes, and responsibilities.

97. What is fly ash and its use in concrete?

Answer:
A by-product from thermal power plants used as a pozzolanic
material to enhance durability and reduce heat of hydration.

98. What is de-shuttering time for vertical and horizontal

elements?

Answer:

• Vertical (columns, walls): 16–24 hrs

• Slabs: 3 days (props left for longer)

• Beams: 7–14 days (as per span)

99. What are the common QA/QC tests for fresh concrete?

Answer:

• Slump test
• Temperature test
• Air content
• Unit weight
• Setting time

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100. How do you ensure the durability of concrete structures?

Answer:

• Correct mix design.

• Low water-cement ratio.

• Proper curing.

• Quality materials.

• Cover and compaction.

• Use of admixtures and supplementary cementitious

materials.

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