Civil Engineering basics: Vincent Chu Section




	Bridges
1	Under what situation shall engineers use jacking at one end only and from both ends in prestressing work?
2	What is “preset” during installation of bridge bearings?
3	In incremental launching method of bridge construction, what are the measures adopted to enhance sufficient resistance of the superstructure during the launching process?
4	In bridge widening projects, the method of stitching is normally employed for connecting existing deck to the new deck. What are the problems associated with this method in terms of shrinkage of concrete?
5	What are the advantages of assigning the central pier and the abutment as fixed piers?
6	Sometimes the side of concrete bridges is observed to turn black in colour. What is the reason for this phenomenon?
7	In prestressing work, if more than one wire or strand is included in the same duct, why should all wires/strands be stressed at the same time?
8	In the design of elastomeric bearings, why are steel plates inserted inside the bearings?
9	How to determine the size of elastomeric bearings?
10	In a curved prestressed bridge, how should the guided bearings in piers of the curved region be oriented with respect to the fixed bearing in abutment?
	Concrete Structures
1	What are the functions of different components of a typical expansion joint?
2	If on-site slump test fails, should engineers allow the contractor to continue the concreting works?
3	What is the function of shear keys in the design of retaining walls?
4	In designing concrete structures, normally maximum aggregate sizes are adopted with ranges from 10mm to 20mm. Does an increase of maximum aggregate size benefit the structures?
5	What are the major problems in using pumping for concreting works?
6	Article: Control of Maximum Temperature in Concrete
7	Is it desirable to use concrete of very high strength i.e. exceeding 60MPa? What are the potential problems associated with such high strength concrete?
8	What are the disadvantages of curing by ponding and polythene sheets?
9	Comparing the rate of “Formwork exceeding 300mm wide, horizontal or at any inclination up to and including 5 degree to the horizontal” with the rate of “Formwork exceeding 300mm wide, at any inclination more than 85 degree up to and including 90 degree to the horizontal”, which one is higher?
10	If concrete compression test fails, should Schmidt hammer test be adopted as an alternative test to prove the concrete strength?
	Roadwork
1	How can unreinforced concrete pavement function without mesh reinforcement?
2	Why are concrete profile barriers designed with curved surface profiles?
3	Should joints of concrete kerbs be in line with the joints in concrete carriageway?
4	Why is the slump specified in concrete carriageway comparatively low (30mm) when compared with normal concrete (75mm)?
5	Can all utility detectors detect the depth of utilities?
6	What is the importance of air void content in bituminous pavements?
7	In concrete pavement, why is the requirement of 95% by mass of quartz grains specified in contract?
8	What is the load transfer mechanism for paving blocks in pedestrian footway?
9	What is the function of a sand layer underlying paving slab /interlocking blocks?
10	What is the function of longitudinal joints in concrete road pavements?
	Earthwork
1	In soil compaction test, if a test result exceeds 100%, should engineers accept the result?
2	What are the different applications of draglines, backhoes and shovels?
3	For compaction of free-draining sands or gravels, what is the optimum moisture content to achieve maximum density?
4	Is it worthwhile to carry out tests on particle density of soil particles for geotechnical design?
5	In determining the effective stress parameters of a soil sample, which test is preferable, consolidated undrained test or consolidated drained test?
6	In conducting triaxial test to determine shear strengths for soil samples, what consolidation pressures should be specified?
7	What is the relation of bearing pressure on soil nail head to the ratio La/Lb, where La is the length of soil nail before the potential slip circle while Lb is the length of soil nail beyond the potential slip circle?
8	Soil nails are mainly designed for stabilization of major slips. How should designer cater for the stability of minor slips?
9	What are the main reasons for conducting pull-out tests for soil nails?
10	Are there any differences in the methods of compaction between clayey soil material and sandy material?
	Piles and Foundation
1	It is not necessary to design nominal reinforcement to piles. Is it true?
2	How do rock sockets take up loads?
3	In designing mini-piles, should the strength of grout be neglected during assessment of loading carrying capacity?
4	What are the considerations in determining whether casings should be left in for mini-piles?
5	What is the purpose of post-grouting for mini-piles?
6	In designing the lateral resistance of piles, should engineers only use the earth pressure against pile caps?
7	Some codes limit the ratio of weight of hammer to weight of pile for pile driving. What is the reason behind this?
8	Should engineers rely solely on Hiley’s formula in the design of H-piles?
9	What is the function of drilling fluid in rotary drilling in site investigation?
10	What are the differences in function between rock anchors and rock sockets?