Interview Questions
Interview Questions
(OP)
What are some your favorite interview questions to gauge competency of a structural engineer ?
My favorite is to ask someone to explain the generation of seismic forces in layman's terms.
My favorite is to ask someone to explain the generation of seismic forces in layman's terms.






RE: Interview Questions
RE: Interview Questions
I've only helped interview one person but one thing that I would do in the future for a structural interview is ask the applicant what the moment of inertia of a rectangle is. I'd probably also hand them a steel book (or code of choice) and have them find sections to judge how familiar they are with certain codes.
Also, you might want to check if they stayed at a Holiday Inn the night before. :P
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
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Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
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I consider codes and drawing presentation something to be taught to new hires but engineering principles are not. Someone with a grasp of the latter can be taught the former but not the other way around…at least not without going through engineering school. I only say that as a precaution against weeding out competent people who aren’t up on the latest load factors.
A classmate of mine was asked to draw the shear and moment diagrams for a particular loading and his response was, “I can do that but the fastest way to do it would be to take that steel book behind you and look it up in the beam diagram section.” The interviewer was reportedly impressed by that.
One famous interview question is “why are manhole covers round?” (So they won’t fall in.) I’m told they ask that of business students to see how they handle pressure, which I consider a silly stunt. Though I suppose it could smoke out the bs artists…
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They were looking for my ability to communicate and work with the contractors towards a common goal of a properly designed, constructable solution. I got offers from the two places I interviewed at. Could be that I'm a master of bullshitting the bullshitters..
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Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
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Funny enough I volunteered that I am a member here so they could see I was willing to do some of my own research when required.
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How big is a 2x4
Here is a basic load diagram, what is the reaction here?
If you were a sandwich, what would you be? (to gauge their sense of humor)
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Probably the best one they come up with (if you’ve been out of work for more than 10 minutes) is: “What have you been doing while you’ve been out?” One time I mentioned that I had taken a vacation and this guy acted like he didn’t like that answer for some reason…..so (irritated) I asked him: “So what the hell was I supposed to be doing if you don’t mind my asking?” Sometimes I think they just want to yank your chain. (And if you’ve got high blood pressure like me, you need to learn to relax.
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Answers:
1. Can't you find a lighter book?
2. As big as the manufacturer makes it.
3. Basic/2.
4. Ham. (add green eggs)
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
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Also ask them the difference between concrete and cement, and a footing vs footer
Last, would ask if a sky hook is better or structural paint in a high rise building.
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For a graduate, the only good one I've heard was asked to a friend out of college:
What are the different failure mechanisms for a concrete member?
(shear, flexure, axial, servicability)
Once you're interviewing PEs, I assume a basic level of competency and would ask about the best project they've worked on. You can learn a lot about what drives them, and a favorite project would typically be one that challenged them so you learn about their level of expertise.
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Ask if they understand the Citigroup Center error.
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I was asked what major structural failures I was aware of and why they happened. (Kansas Hyatt, etc
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1) I don't buy that manhole covers are round just so they don't fall in. Catchbasin covers are square, with a hinge. There must be numerous reasons, with cost being the main driver as noted by 3DDave. Perhaps the covers are round, because the manholes themselves are round?
2) Has anybody seen the "Project Serene" report outlining the technical issues with the Citicorp building? I couldn't find it with google, only references to it in various articles.
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Reasons for the shape include:
A round manhole cover cannot fall through its circular opening, whereas a square manhole cover may fall in if it were inserted diagonally in the hole. The existence of a "lip" holding up the lid means that the underlying hole is smaller than the cover, so that other shapes might suffice. (A Reuleaux triangle or other curve of constant width would also serve this purpose, but round covers are much easier to manufacture.)
Round tubes are the strongest and most material-efficient shape against the compression of the earth around them, and so it is natural that the cover of a round tube assume a circular shape.
A round manhole cover has a smaller surface than a square one, thus less material is needed to cast the manhole cover, meaning lower cost.
The bearing surfaces of manhole frames and covers are machined to assure flatness and prevent them from becoming dislodged by traffic. Round castings are much easier to machine using a lathe.
Circular covers do not need to be rotated to align with the manhole.
A round manhole cover can be more easily moved by being rolled.
A round manhole cover can be easily locked in place with a quarter turn (as is done in countries like France). They are then hard to open without a special tool. Also then they do not have to be made so heavy, because traffic passing over them cannot lift them up by suction.
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For example, if we were hiring a new intern or an experienced project engineer the questions would be completely different. I generally wanted to make sure they had a PRACTICAL outlook so I would always ask to see drawings or sketches that they did or had someone draw. These sketches would be with the materials that we would typically design with. I might even give them a problem to solve and have them sketch the solution.
I would also test their overall knowledge/ability on codes, calculation procedures, detailing, estimating, construction administration, problem resolution, client relations, etc.
I interviewed potential candidates for about 27 years.......
I am now happily retired......
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Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
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I think an important one is also "What calculator do you use and why?"
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Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
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If you end up on the phone with a client that was frantically trying to reach the PE in responsible charge for a project, but couldn't reach him/her, and then asks you, "Can I use grade 75 stirrups instead of grade 60 in concrete beam X?" or "Can I use 1" thick plate instead of a 1/2" thick plate for the baseplate of this cantilever pole?" what would you tell that client???
The impetuous ones will quickly answer, "I would say yes because what they want to use is stronger." The ones that know their limits would say, "I'm sorry but I just can't answer that without the Principal's input". The clever ones will know that higher grade reinforcement could lead to wider crack widths (and therefore loss of aggregate interlock) and longer development lengths, and that a thicker baseplate could change the fail-safety (governing failure mode) of the overall structure from ductile to brittle.
The only purely correct answer is that you don't make official judgments without the involvement of the PE in responsible charge... I'm leery to hire on the ones that "say yes because it is stronger".
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Very strange...I too was looking for this just the other day. If anyone knows where a copy can be found, please let us know.
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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati