What Are The Civil Engineering Interview Questions?

Interviews are something which makes everyone fearful because of the uncertain events. And when we talk about civil engineering this fear increases exponentially. However, in reality, interviews are the most comfortable part of the recruitment process. You just need to focus on some preliminary questions and you are done. So, to help civil engineers with their interviews we have listed below some of the most common interview questions, have a look.

  • Most Common Civil Engineering Interview Questions
  • What is OSHA compliance?
  • What is the composition of a landfill?
  • What is reinforced concrete?
  • What are the different types of foundation?
  • What is flashing?
  • What is Critical Path Method (C.P.M)?
  • Explain what zoning permit is?
  • Mention different types of roof systems?
  • What are demising walls?
  • Explain what does 1/8 on the architect ruler denotes?
  • What are wooden shingles?
  • Explain what are the problems one might face while having a Cantilever balcony?
  • What is the ideal size of the living room ranges from small to a large scale?

These classic questions mentioned above will surely help you to nail your civil engineering interview. So, gear up your skillset and get ready for the interview. Good Luck!

CAD Predictions for 2018

The rapid technological advancements are changing the shape of the world. Innovations are going up, and software is continuously upgrading. So why CAD tools remain obsolete? Thus, to maintain pace with the advancing technology, CAD tools are continually evolving. So, to understand this change in a better way, listed below are the 2018 predictions of CAD.

Three-tier Automation

Currently, automation is the most trending technology in the engineering world. From agriculture to automobile everything is automated. So CAD follows the trend and implements three levels of automation in product design which are illustrated below:

Assistive Automation tends to reduce the friction created by trivial tasks, such as assemblies, which are repetitive and consumes a lot of time.

Augmentative Automation implements Multiphysics simulations to assist engineers in decision making. Under this automation, engineers only need to focus on problem formulation and remaining all the functions will be performed automatically by the system.

Autonomous Automation is an automation technique which works automatically without any human interference.

Double Benefit of IoT and Mechatronics The convergence of mechanical and electrical design in mechatronics and the power of IoT has the potential to revolutionize CAD in 2018. Gradually, the difference between electrical and mechanical designs is fading away which is promoting the mechatronic technology, such as robots in which sensors are connected to circuit boards in a mechanical body. Furthermore, IoT innovations are enabling manufacturers to receive information from products to improve designs. Overall, this dual power of mechatronics and IoT will transform product designing in 2018.

CAD Cloud

2018 will be powered by cloud CAD where all the CAD programs will run entirely on the cloud. Recently, SOLIDWORKS announced that it plans to launch cloud-based CAD program called SOLIDWORKS X design. Similarly, Autodesk also has cloud-based CAD platform named Fusion 360. These development show cloud technologies will be a leading force in 2018.

Augmented CAD

Augmented reality will shape the future of CAD in 2018. The increasing popularity of augmented reality allows engineers to collaborate their product designs in an efficient manner making it possible for the stakeholders to interact with 3D models.

Although CAD tools will go many transitions and transformations in 2018; however, the primary focus will remain only on these four aspects: Automation, IoT and Mechatronics, Cloud CAD, and Augmented CAD. Overall, in 2018 CAD software will evolve many folds and will transform the shape of the design industry.

What’s new in Revit 2018

The 2018 release of Revit has introduced some amazing features for the users. These features will enable the designers to model a complete, consistent, and coordinated designs for multiple disciplines. These features have the extensibility to both detailing and construction. The list of features are:

Co-ordinated Models

The new Revit feature, now allows the users to link their NWC or NWD files of the coordination models that are generated on Navisworks®. This feature can be helpful to compare the non-Revit and Revit model.

Scheduled Groups and Revit Links

The users can now select the fields that appear in the schedule on the Fields tab of Schedule Property Dialog Box. Also, the new feature allows the Revit experts to include the elements from a linked model.

Global Parameters

In the 2018 Revit updates, the experts can now embed designs with project-wide parameters. Furthermore, these parameters can now work with equality constraints and diameter and radial dimensions.

Multistory Stairs

The new feature of stairs allows the users to create multistory stairs by selecting the levels of the building. These stairs adjust automatically when the heights are changed. These stairs can be created from the existing stairs even at a later stage.

Railings

The new railing feature allows the users to modify the railing by chaining its height, shape, and number. Also, the path of the railing can be customized through sketch tools.

MEP Fabrication Model

The 2018 updates allow the experts build a run of connected MEP fabrication parts automatically by just clicking on the points of the model. The selection of the parts is automatic from the current fabrication service and group.

MEP Design and Analysis

With the help of the new updates in Revit, the users can now manipulate the pathways of the circuit. Also, the updates in MEP design and analysis allows the users to define their own type of space. They can also include the requirements of outdoor air.

Rebar for Complex Geometry

The latest rebar updates allow the placement of rebar as concrete objects that are of free-form. Also, it allows the reinforcement of concrete elements that are imported and their varying rebar distribution is improved.

 

These are just a glimpse of updates in Revit 2018. There are many more interesting features such as Rebar Graphical Constraints in 3D, Additional Steel Connections, Collaboration for Revit, Work-sharing, Parametric components, and much more.

Get Hired! Engineering Hiring Managers Top Secrets Revealed

It is now easy to get noticed as a top engineering candidate. A recent survey has identified a few major evaluation techniques employed by the hiring managers to distinguish promising candidates.

First 15 Minutes

More than 54% of the managers shortlist the top candidates within the first 15 minutes of the interview.

Top 3 Hard Skills

  • 80% managers look for analytical or critical thinking.
  • 65% look for technical skills (system, computer, software).
  • 59% seek troubleshooting skills.

Top 3 Soft Skills

  • Teamwork is a very important soft skill which is preferred by almost 85% managers.
  • 79% managers shortlist the candidates who possess good listening and comprehension skills.
  • 79% managers prefer candidates who possess a sense of personal accountability.

Resume

Eight out of ten hiring managers interview the candidates based on the match of the job description with the resume. The most preferred format of a resume is the digital or electrical format.

  • 67% prefer digital resume.
  • 29% seek a traditional hard copy.
  • 2% seek for a digital portfolio.
  • 2% shortlist based on a LinkedIn profile.
  • Less than 1% prefer video resumes.

Interview Tips

  • Clearly express the personal achievements and weaknesses.
  • Boldly communicate the skills and their reason for befitting the job.
  • Remain conscious about timely appearance, politeness, grooming conditions, and graciousness.
  • Learn about the company.

Common Interview Mistakes

  • Inappropriate usage of mobiles phones during the interview
  • Arriving late for the interview
  • Lack of enthusiasm and passion for the job and carrier
  • Behaving weird, ignorant, or ungrateful.

Italian Architect Designs Folding House that can be built in 6 hours

Wouldn’t it be nice if building houses became quick and moving them from one place to another became possible? An architect from Italy has proposed a new housing model which is completely different from the traditional way of building houses. He suggests a model where the houses can be folded. The assembling time of this house is not more than six hours with just three people working on it. Doesn’t that sound interesting?

M.A.Di Homes

Renato Vidal, an Italian architect and the founder of M.A.Di (Modulo Abitativo Dispiegabile) homes, assures of high quality and safe homes that can be built quickly and transported easily. M.A.Di homes are available in a few customizable models. All the models are equipped with the basic facilities such as toilets, furnished kitchen, and technical installations such as water and electrical systems.

Installation

The houses are built in modules to make the construction quick and simple. Multiple modules can be attached to build a huge house. The installation of the house does not depend on a concrete base. The house can be placed directly on any flat floor. However, for people who want a permanent house, are advised to build M.A.Di houses on foundation stakes.

Eco-friendly Optimization

Furthermore, these houses also support the installment of solar panels, LED lightings, and gray water treatment systems. Moreover, the external walls carry the color of customer’s choice. The walls basically come in wood veneers, which can be customized with natural fiber, aluminum, plaster, and much more.

Price

The smallest house M.A.Di home costs up to 30,000 USD and covers nearly 26 square meters. The maximum expansion possible is up to 84 square meters which can cost 75,000 USD on an average. The costs of the house, however, depends on the customization selected by the customers.