SSC JE General Engineering (Civil & Structural) Syllabus

General Engineering (Civil & Structural) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Engineering (Civil & Structural) in SSC JE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Building Materials

   2 topics

   • Properties of Materials
   • Types of Materials
2. 2

   Estimating, Costing, and Valuation

   2 topics

   • Methods of Estimation
   • Valuation Techniques
3. 3

   Surveying

   2 topics

   • Basics of Surveying
   • Advanced Surveying Techniques
4. 4

   Soil Mechanics

   2 topics

   • Soil Properties
   • Soil Testing
5. 5

   Hydraulics

   2 topics

   • Fluid Properties
   • Flow of Fluids
6. 6

   Irrigation Engineering

   2 topics

   • Types of Irrigation
   • Irrigation Systems
7. 7

   Transportation Engineering

   2 topics

   • Highway Engineering
   • Railway Engineering
8. 8

   Environmental Engineering

   2 topics

   • Water Supply
   • Waste Management
9. 9

   Structural Engineering

   3 topics

   • Theory of Structures
   • Concrete Technology
   • Steel Structures

General Engineering (Civil & Structural) flashcards for SSC JE

25 of 58 cards from the General Engineering (Civil & Structural) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between ductility and malleability of a material?

   Ductility is the ability to be drawn into wires (tension), while malleability is the ability to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets (compression).

2. Define the modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) of a material.

   It is the ratio of longitudinal (normal) stress to longitudinal strain within the elastic limit; E = stress/strain.

3. What is the difference between toughness and hardness of a material?

   Toughness is the ability to absorb energy and resist fracture under impact; hardness is resistance to scratching, abrasion, or indentation.

4. What property allows a material to regain its original shape after the removal of load?

   Elasticity.

5. How are engineering materials broadly classified?

   Into metals (ferrous and non-ferrous), non-metals (ceramics, polymers/plastics), and composites.

6. What distinguishes ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals?

   Ferrous metals contain iron as the main constituent (e.g., steel, cast iron); non-ferrous metals do not contain iron (e.g., copper, aluminium, zinc).

7. What is the carbon content range that defines mild steel, and why is it widely used?

   Mild steel has about 0.15-0.25% carbon; it is ductile, weldable, and has good tensile strength, making it ideal for structural use.

8. In estimation, what does the 'centre line method' compute and when is it preferred?

   It computes quantities by multiplying the total centre line length of walls by the breadth and depth of each item; preferred when walls of a building are of the same thickness/section.

9. What is the difference between the long wall–short wall method and the centre line method of estimation?

   In the long wall–short wall method, lengths are measured as out-to-out (long wall) and in-to-in (short wall) separately; in the centre line method a single total centre line length is used for all items.

10. What is a 'detailed estimate' in construction?

    An item-by-item estimate of all quantities of materials and works, multiplied by current rates, giving the most accurate probable cost of a project.

11. Define 'plinth area' as used in building estimation.

    The built-up covered area measured at floor level, taken over the external dimensions of the building including walls.

12. What is meant by 'valuation' of a property?

    The process of determining the present fair market value or worth of a property based on its present condition, use, and income-earning capacity.

13. Define 'scrap value' and 'salvage value' of a building.

    Scrap value is the value of dismantled materials (about 10% of cost) after deducting demolition cost; salvage value is the value of an asset at the end of its useful life without being dismantled.

14. What is the 'sinking fund' in valuation?

    An amount set aside periodically to accumulate (with interest) the funds needed to rebuild or replace a property at the end of its useful life.

15. State the formula for the depreciated value of a property by the straight-line method.

    Annual depreciation = (Original cost − Scrap value) / Useful life; Depreciated value = Original cost − (Annual depreciation × age).

16. What is the principle (basic objective) of surveying?

    To work from the whole to the part (to control accumulation of errors) and to locate a point by at least two independent measurements.

17. What is the difference between plane surveying and geodetic surveying?

    Plane surveying treats the earth's surface as flat (curvature ignored, areas up to ~250 km²); geodetic surveying accounts for the earth's curvature for large areas.

18. In chain surveying, what is an 'offset' and what are its two types?

    An offset is the lateral distance of an object from a survey/chain line; types are perpendicular (right-angle) offsets and oblique offsets.

19. What does 'Whole Circle Bearing (WCB)' mean and what is its range?

    The bearing of a line measured clockwise from the magnetic north, ranging from 0° to 360°.

20. In levelling, define 'back sight (BS)' and 'fore sight (FS)'.

    Back sight is the first reading taken on a point of known elevation (a benchmark or change point); fore sight is the last reading on a change point before shifting the instrument.

21. What is the principle of a total station in advanced surveying?

    It combines an electronic theodolite (angle measurement) with an electronic distance meter (EDM) and a microprocessor to measure angles and distances and compute coordinates electronically.

22. How does GPS determine position in surveying?

    By trilateration—measuring distances (from signal travel time) to at least four satellites to compute 3D position (latitude, longitude, elevation) and time.

23. What is 'contour interval' and how is it related to map scale?

    Contour interval is the vertical distance between two consecutive contours; it is kept small for large-scale (detailed) maps and flat terrain, and large for small-scale maps and steep terrain.

24. Define the 'void ratio' and 'porosity' of a soil.

    Void ratio (e) = volume of voids / volume of solids; porosity (n) = volume of voids / total volume. They are related by n = e/(1+e).

25. What are the Atterberg limits of soil?

    Liquid limit, plastic limit, and shrinkage limit—water contents marking transitions between liquid, plastic, semi-solid, and solid states of fine-grained soil.

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