The Civil Tales Sourish Das 1
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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1. What is the difference between QA and QC?
Answer:
• QA (Quality Assurance): A process-oriented approach focusing
on defect prevention. It involves audits, process checks, and
documentation.
• QC (Quality Control): A product-oriented approach focusing
on defect identification. It includes material testing,
inspections, and corrective actions.
2. What are the key documents required for QA/QC on a
construction site?
Answer:
• Inspection Test Plan (ITP)
• Method Statement
• Material Approval Request (MAR)
• Request for Inspection (RFI)
• Test Reports
• Site Inspection Reports
• Non-Conformance Report (NCR)
• Checklists
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3. What is an ITP (Inspection Test Plan)?
Answer:
An ITP is a document that outlines the quality control procedures
and inspection stages of each construction activity. It defines "hold
points," "witness points," and responsible parties.
4. What is a Method Statement?
Answer:
A Method Statement describes the step-by-step process to carry
out a specific construction task safely and correctly, including
equipment, materials, safety precautions, and QA/QC measures.
5. Define the term ‘NCR’ in QA/QC.
Answer:
NCR (Non-Conformance Report): Issued when work or materials
do not comply with approved specifications, standards, or drawings.
6. How do you close an NCR?
Answer:
By investigating the root cause, implementing corrective/preventive
actions, and re-inspecting the work to verify compliance.
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7. What are the main tests for fresh concrete?
Answer:
• Slump Test
• Temperature Test
• Air Content Test
• Workability Test
• Unit Weight Test
8. What are the tests for hardened concrete?
Answer:
• Compressive Strength Test
• Flexural Strength Test
• Split Tensile Strength Test
• Rebound Hammer Test
• Core Test
9. What is a slump test and what does it indicate?
Answer:
A slump test measures the workability/consistency of fresh
concrete. High slump = more workable. Low slump = stiffer
concrete.
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10. What is the standard curing time for concrete?
Answer:
Minimum 7 days for normal concrete and 14 days for high-grade
concrete. Ideally, 28 days for full strength gain.
11. What is the permissible tolerance in concrete cover?
Answer:
±10 mm for concrete cover is generally accepted, depending on code
and structure type.
12. What is a cube test and its significance?
Answer:
A cube test determines the compressive strength of concrete.
Cubes are tested at 7, 14, and 28 days.
13. What size is the standard cube for testing?
Answer:
150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm (as per IS 516).
14. How many test cubes are needed per concrete batch?
Answer:
Minimum 3 cubes per 100 m³ of concrete or as per IS code.
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15. What are the acceptance criteria for concrete compressive
strength?
Answer:
The average of 3 cubes should meet the specified strength, and
individual variation should not be below 85% of the target.
16. What are the types of cracks in concrete?
Answer:
• Shrinkage Cracks
• Settlement Cracks
• Structural Cracks
• Temperature Cracks
• Plastic Cracks
17. What is the standard code for concrete testing in India?
Answer:
IS 516:1959 – Method of Tests for Strength of Concrete.
18. What is meant by M20 grade concrete?
Answer:
Concrete mix with a characteristic compressive strength of 20 MPa
(N/mm²) at 28 days.
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19. What is the water-cement ratio and why is it important?
Answer:
Ratio of water to cement in a mix. It affects strength and
workability. Lower w/c ratio = higher strength.
20. What is the tolerance limit for rebar spacing in RCC work?
Answer:
±10 mm is typically allowed, but it depends on design and code.
21. What are the QA/QC responsibilities of a site engineer?
Answer:
• Ensure quality standards
• Check material quality
• Monitor concreting process
• Fill inspection reports
• Coordinate with consultants
22. What is concrete bleeding and how to prevent it?
Answer:
Water rising to the surface after placing concrete. Prevented by
proper mix design, reducing water-cement ratio, and using
admixtures.
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23. How do you check the quality of cement on site?
Answer:
• Check manufacturing date
• Float test
• Feel test
• Colour test
• Setting time test
24. What is segregation in concrete?
Answer:
Separation of coarse aggregate from the mortar. Caused by poor
handling or high slump. It affects strength and finish.
25. What is honeycombing in concrete?
Answer:
Void spaces in concrete due to improper compaction. Reduces
strength and durability. Can be rectified by grouting or repair
mortar.
26. What is the purpose of cube testing at 7 and 28 days?
Answer:
• 7 Days: Indicates early strength development.
• 28 Days: Indicates the characteristic compressive strength.
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27. What is the difference between characteristic strength and
target strength?
Answer:
• Characteristic Strength (fck): Strength below which not
more than 5% results are expected to fall.
• Target Strength (ft): fck + 1.65 × standard deviation (to
ensure mix reliability).
28. What is a bar bending schedule (BBS)?
Answer:
A detailed list of reinforcement bars used in construction,
including length, shape, size, and bending details.
29. How do you test the quality of aggregates on-site?
Answer:
• Sieve analysis
• Aggregate crushing value
• Impact value
• Water absorption
• Flakiness & elongation index
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30. What is a compaction factor test?
Answer:
A test to measure the workability of concrete, especially for low-
slump mixes.
31. What is the minimum cement content for RCC as per IS
456:2000?
Answer:
300 kg/m³ for RCC in moderate exposure (can vary with
conditions).
32. What is the initial and final setting time of cement?
Answer:
• Initial: 30 minutes
• Final: 600 minutes (10 hours)
33. How is water absorption of bricks tested?
Answer:
Soak bricks in water for 24 hours, weigh before and after, then
calculate percentage increase. Should not exceed 20% (for good
bricks).
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34. What is a pull-out test?
Answer:
A method to assess the bonding strength between reinforcement
and concrete.
35. What is the standard size of a brick?
Answer:
190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm (modular), or 230 mm × 110 mm ×
70 mm (traditional in India).
36. What is rebound hammer test?
Answer:
A non-destructive test (NDT) for assessing surface hardness and
estimating concrete compressive strength.
37. What is core cutting test in concrete?
Answer:
Extraction of concrete cores to determine in-situ compressive
strength and quality.
38. What is a witness point in QA/QC?
Answer:
A point where the QA/QC inspector is notified of an inspection
but is not required to be present mandatorily.
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39. What is a hold point in QA/QC?
Answer:
A mandatory inspection stage where work must stop until the
QA/QC engineer inspects and approves.
40. What is the cover block and why is it used?
Answer:
A small concrete/ plastic block used to maintain the required
cover (distance) between rebar and the formwork.
41. How is reinforcement lap length decided?
Answer:
As per IS 456:
• Tension zone: 50 × bar diameter
• Compression zone: 40 × bar diameter (depends on grade and
position)
42. What is the standard moisture content allowed in sand?
Answer:
2% to 6% is typically allowed. Needs correction in water
quantity for mix design.
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43. What is the difference between nominal mix and design mix?
Answer:
• Nominal Mix: Fixed proportion (e.g., M10, M15)
• Design Mix: Based on lab testing to meet specific strength
and durability.
44. What is segregation and bleeding in concrete?
Answer:
• Segregation: Separation of coarse aggregates.
• Bleeding: Water rising to the surface. Both affect quality.
45. What are the types of cement used in QA/QC?
Answer:
• OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)
• PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement)
• PSC (Portland Slag Cement)
• Rapid Hardening Cement
• Sulphate Resistant Cement
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46. How to test compaction of soil on site?
Answer:
• Proctor Test (lab)
• Field Density Test using Sand Replacement Method or Core
Cutter Method.
47. What is the acceptance criteria for brickwork?
Answer:
• Plumb and level
• Mortar thickness (10mm)
• Proper bonding
• No hollow sound on tapping
• No efflorescence
48. How do you conduct a water permeability test on concrete?
Answer:
By applying water pressure to one face of a concrete specimen
and measuring penetration depth.
49. What is calibration in QA/QC?
Answer:
The process of checking and adjusting instruments/equipment to
maintain accuracy and traceability.
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50. What is curing and why is it essential?
Answer:
Curing maintains moisture in concrete to ensure strength gain
and prevent surface cracks. Methods include water curing,
membrane curing, and steam curing.
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