PhD COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
GUIDELINE
A. General Guidelines for All Papers
Papers Titles
o Paper 1: Infrastructure Systems and Structural Engineering
o Paper 2: Geosystems and Transportation Engineering
o Paper 3: Water, Environment, and Sustainability
Duration: 03 Hours
Total Marks: 100
Passing Marks: 70
Structure: 05 Compulsory Questions × 20 Marks Each
Type of Questions: Each question will blend conceptual understanding,
analytical ability, and application to real-world problems. Diagrams, case
studies, and derivations where applicable. Preferably the examination will
be an open book.
B. Scope/ Areas of the Papers
Paper 1: Infrastructure Systems and Structural Engineering
To test knowledge of designing and analyzing safe, sustainable, and resilient
infrastructure, integrating structural mechanics with management and material
science.
Focus Areas / Topics:
Structural Analysis and Design (Steel, Concrete, Composite structures)
Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics
Construction Materials and Sustainable Infrastructure Techniques
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Construction Engineering and Project Management (as it relates to
structural systems)
Forensic Engineering and Rehabilitation of Structures
Paper 2: Geosystems and Transportation Engineering
To assess understanding of subsurface behavior and the planning, design, and
performance of transportation systems built upon and interacting with
geological media.
Focus Areas / Topics:
Geotechnical Engineering (Soil Mechanics, Foundation Design, Slope
Stability)
Pavement Structure Material Design for Resilient Infrastructure
Transportation Planning, Traffic Flow Theory, Intelligent Transport
Systems (ITS)
Geoenvironmental Concerns (contaminated sites, landfills)
Rail, Airport, and Urban Transport Infrastructure
Paper 3: Water, Environment, and Sustainability
To evaluate capability in designing sustainable environmental systems and
managing natural resources within civil engineering frameworks.
Focus Areas / Topics:
Water Resources Engineering (Hydrology, Hydraulic Structures,
Watershed Management)
Environmental Engineering (Water and Wastewater Treatment, Air and
Noise Pollution, Solid and Hazardous Wastes)
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Urban Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Policy
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C. Layout of the Papers
Paper 1: Infrastructure Systems and Structural Engineering
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100
1. Structural Analysis: E.g., Analysis of indeterminate structures using
moment distribution or matrix method.
2. Design of Structural Elements: E.g., Design of RC beam/column or steel
truss/girder to given specifications.
3. Structural Dynamics / Earthquake Engineering: E.g., Time period
estimation, base shear calculation, response spectrum concept.
4. Construction Materials and Techniques: E.g., High-performance materials,
curing methods, durability issues, NDT techniques.
5. Construction Project Management: E.g., Network planning (CPM/PERT),
resource leveling, project cost analysis.
Paper 2: Geosystems and Transportation Engineering
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100
1. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering: E.g., Shear strength, bearing
capacity, design of shallow/deep foundations.
2. Slope Stability and Ground Improvement: E.g., Factor of safety calculations,
retaining wall design, grouting methods.
3. Highway Engineering / Pavement Design: E.g., Pavement thickness design
using IRC/AASHTO, CBR method, materials: Traffic Engineering
4. E.g., Traffic signal design, LOS analysis, speed studies, intersection design.
5. Geoenvironmental Engineering: E.g., Design of landfill liners,
geosynthetics, groundwater contamination.
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Paper 3: Water, Environment, and Sustainability
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100
1. Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering: E.g., Rainfall-runoff
modeling, flood routing, reservoir design.
2. Hydraulics and Hydraulic Structures: E.g., Open channel flow analysis,
design of spillways/weirs, pipe networks.
3. Water and Wastewater Treatment: E.g., Design of sedimentation tanks,
activated sludge process, filtration systems.
4. Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control: E.g., Air and noise
pollution control measures, solid waste management strategies.
5. Sustainability and Environmental Policy: E.g., SDGs in civil projects, EIA
framework, disaster resilience planning.
D. Specimen Question Paper
Paper 3: Water, Environment, and Sustainability
Time: 3.0 Hours
Max Marks: 100
Note: Attempt all five questions. Each question carries equal marks.
Q1: Water Resources Engineering
(a) Explain the components of the hydrological cycle and discuss their relevance
in water resources engineering.
(b) A catchment of area 50 km² receives an average rainfall of 100 mm during a
storm event. If the surface runoff coefficient is 0.6, estimate the total runoff
volume (in m³).
Q2: Environmental Engineering
(a) Describe the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment stages in a
conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant.
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(b) Discuss the sources, health impacts, and control measures of particulate
matter (PM2.5) in urban air.
Q3: Climate Resilience and SDGs
(a) Define climate resilience. How can infrastructure systems be made resilient
to climate change impacts such as floods and droughts?
(b) Explain how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and
Sanitation) and 13 (Climate Action) are interconnected and relevant to civil
engineers.
Q4: Urban Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure
(a) Describe common urban stormwater problems and the need for its effective
management.
(b) With the help of a neat sketch, explain the role of green infrastructure
elements like bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable pavements in sustainable
urban drainage.
Q5: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Policy
(a) Outline the key steps involved in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
process for a large dam project.
(b) Discuss the role of environmental regulations and policies (e.g.,
Environmental Protection Act, Water Act) in sustainable infrastructure
development.
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