Civil Engineering 2023 Paper II 50 marks Compulsory Explain

Q1

(a) What are the approximate limits of chemical (oxide) composition in hydraulic cement ? Also state the function of oxides in brief. (10 marks) (b) (i) Explain with neat sketches, how Work Breakdown Structure can be defined with respect to Construction Project Management. (ii) With an example, explain how the work breakdown structure can be classified. (10 marks) (c) What do you understand by workability of concrete ? Write the procedure for any one measurement method available to check the workability of concrete. (10 marks) (d) A 100 km length railway line is to be constructed for doubling the existing track. Calculate the quantity of track material required to construct the track. Consider the length of rail as 13 m, density of sleepers as (n + 4) and width of sleeper as 250 mm. (10 marks) (e) The Fore Bearing of side AB of regular hexagonal polygon ABCDEFA in whole circle bearing system is 120°. Find the Fore Bearings and Back Bearings of all the other sides. Also find the bearings of line BE and BF. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) जलीय सीमेंट के रासायनिक (ऑक्साइड) संयोजन की सन्निकट सीमाएं क्या हैं ? ऑक्साइडों के कार्यों का भी संक्षेप में वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) (i) निर्माण परियोजना प्रबंधन की दृष्टि से, स्वच्छ चित्रों की सहायता से व्याख्या कीजिए कि कार्य भंग संरचना को कैसे परिभाषित किया जा सकता है। (ii) एक उदाहरण के द्वारा व्याख्या कीजिए कि कार्य भंग संरचना को कैसे वर्गीकृत किया जा सकता है। (10 अंक) (c) कंक्रीट की सुकार्यता से आप क्या समझते हैं ? कंक्रीट की सुकार्यता की जाँच के लिए उपलब्ध किसी एक मापन विधि की प्रक्रिया का वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) वर्तमान में मौजूद एक रेलपथ के दोहरीकरण के लिए एक 100 km लम्बी रेलवे लाइन का निर्माण करना है। रेलपथ के निर्माण के लिए आवश्यक रेलपथ सामग्री की गणना कीजिए। रेल की लम्बाई 13 m, स्लीपरों का घनत्व (n + 4) एवं स्लीपर की चौड़ाई 250 mm लीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) एक नियमित षट्कोणीय बहुभुज ABCDEFA की भुजा AB का अग्रदिक्मान पूर्णदिक्मान पद्धति में 120° है। अन्य सभी भुजाओं के अग्रदिक्मान एवं पश्चदिक्मान ज्ञात कीजिए। रेखा BE एवं BF के दिक्मान भी ज्ञात कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

This multi-part question requires explaining theoretical concepts in (a), (b), (c), solving numerical problems in (d) and (e). Allocate approximately 15-18 minutes per 10-mark sub-part: spend ~15% time on (a) cement chemistry, ~20% on (b) WBS with sketches, ~15% on (c) workability procedure, ~25% on (d) track material calculations, and ~25% on (e) bearing computations. Begin each part with clear headings, use sketches for (b), show all calculations for (d)-(e), and conclude with practical implications where relevant.

Key points expected

  • (a) Chemical composition limits: CaO (60-67%), SiO₂ (17-25%), Al₂O₃ (3-8%), Fe₂O₃ (0.5-6%), MgO (<2%), SO₃ (<3%); functions: CaO for C-S-H formation, SiO₂ for strength, Al₂O₃ for quick setting, Fe₂O₃ for color and flux
  • (b)(i) WBS definition: hierarchical decomposition of project deliverables into manageable work packages; sketch showing Level 1 (Project) → Level 2 (Major deliverables) → Level 3 (Work packages) → Level 4 (Activities)
  • (b)(ii) WBS classification: by phase (planning, design, construction, commissioning), by system (structural, MEP, finishes), by geography (zone-wise), or by organizational unit; example: Metro Rail Project WBS
  • (c) Workability definition: ease with which concrete can be mixed, transported, placed, compacted and finished without segregation; Slump Test procedure: cone filling in 3 layers with 25 tamps each, lifting cone vertically, measuring subsidence
  • (d) Track material calculations: number of rails = (100,000 × 2)/13 = 15,385 rails; sleepers = (100,000/0.6) × 2 = 333,333 sleepers (assuming n=6, spacing 60cm); ballast volume ≈ 1,00,000 m³; fastenings, fish plates
  • (e) Bearing calculations: hexagon internal angle = 120°, FB of BC = 120° + 60° = 180°, CD = 240°, DE = 300°, EF = 0°/360°, FA = 60°; BB = FB ± 180°; BE bearing = 300°, BF bearing = 0°

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Accurately states Bogue compound limits and oxide functions for (a); correctly defines WBS hierarchy levels and classification types for (b); precisely defines workability with all influencing factors for (c); applies correct railway track terminology and formulas for (d); correctly applies whole circle bearing rules and hexagon geometry for (e)States most oxide percentages with minor errors; defines WBS but confuses levels; defines workability incompletely; uses approximate formulas for track materials; calculates bearings with sign errorsMajor errors in chemical composition limits; confuses WBS with OBS or CBS; misunderstands workability concept; wrong formulas for track calculations; fundamental errors in bearing arithmetic
Numerical accuracy25%12.5Part (d): correct rail count (15,385), sleeper count with n+4 density properly applied, ballast quantity with standard depth; Part (e): all six FB/BB values correct, BE and BF bearings accurately computed with proper quadrant identificationCorrect method but arithmetic errors in final values; approximate sleeper spacing used; bearing calculations off by 180° in some cases; unit conversion errors (km to m)Wrong formulas entirely; no consideration of doubling track; ignores n+4 sleeper density; random bearing values without geometric logic; no unit consistency
Diagram quality15%7.5For (b): neat hierarchical tree diagram or indented structure showing 4 levels with proper labeling; for (c): labeled slump cone apparatus sketch; for (e): neat hexagon with all sides, bearings marked; all diagrams titled, dimensioned, and referenced in textBasic WBS tree without proper level distinction; incomplete slump apparatus; rough hexagon sketch without bearing annotations; diagrams not integrated with explanationNo diagrams despite explicit sketch requirement; irrelevant or wrong diagrams; messy unlabeled sketches that confuse rather than clarify
Step-by-step derivation20%10Part (d): explicit formula statement → substitution → calculation → final answer with units; shows sleeper spacing derivation from n+4; Part (e): clear angle progression (60° increment), BB = FB ± 180° rule stated, diagonal BE/BF using geometry or coordinate methodSteps present but condensed; skips intermediate calculations; assumes some values without derivation; correct final answers but unclear processNo derivation shown, only final answers; jumps between unrelated steps; incorrect formulas applied blindly; no logical flow from given data to solution
Practical interpretation15%7.5For (a): mentions IS 269/IS 8112 compliance and quality control; for (b): relates WBS to Indian construction projects (NHAI, CPWD); for (c): specifies IS 1199 slump ranges for different placements; for (d): mentions IRC specifications and wastage allowance; for (e): mentions traverse survey applicationsGeneric practical comments without Indian context; standard references without specific codes; mentions field application superficiallyNo practical context; purely theoretical treatment; irrelevant examples; ignores code specifications entirely

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