Nepal Engineering Council License Preparation

1. Nepal Engineering Council Registration Examination (Civil
Engineering)
Er. Janak Raj Pant
 Senior Divisional Engineer (Government of Nepal)
 Msc. Geotechnical Engineering, Pulchwok Engineering Campus (2073 Batch)
 Bachelor in Civil Engineering, Paschimanchal Campus Pokhara (2066-2070)

2. NEC License Exam Pattern
 Computer Based Exam
 Exam Time 2 hours
 Objective Based MCQS Question
 Full Marks: 100
 60×1=60 Marks
 20×2=40 Marks
 Pass Marks: 50
 No negative Marking
 Non-Programmable Calculator can be used.
 ऐक चोटी परिक्षा फ
े ल भएता पनि Next Exam भएको बेला Unlimited Time Exam निि सनकिे।
 वर्षमा कम्तिमा िुईपटक परिक्षा गिुष पिे कािूिी प्रावधाि।
 परिक्षा क
े न्द्र हाललाई काठमाण्डौंमा िै हुिे जािकािी गिाईएको।

3. NEC License Exam Pattern
Course Content
1. Basic Civil Engineering
1.1 Engineering materials
1.2 Standards (NS & IS) and tests for civil engineering materials
1.3 Building technology
1.4 Geometric properties of sections
1.5 Surveying and leveling
1.6 Estimating, costing, and valuation
2. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
3. Basic Water Resources Engineering
4. Structural Mechanics
5. Design of Structures
6. Water Supply, Sanitation and Environment
7. Irrigation and Drainage
8. Hydropower
9. Transportation
10. Project Planning, Design and Implementation

4. NEC License Exam Pattern

5. Engineering materials
Engineering materials: Properties (physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal);
types, characteristics, composition, selection, and usage/function of engineering
materials (stones, bricks, cement, mortar, timber, metals/alloys, paints/varnishes,
and asphalt/bitumen/tar)

6. Engineering materials
Engineering materials deals with the study of materials
• Sources, composition and properties.
• Manufacturing methods and testing
• Utility in the various fields of engineering
• Handling and using for economical and safer design.
• The major classifications of engineering materials include metals,
polymers, ceramics, and composites.

7. Engineering materials
Metals: Ferrous Alloys, Carbon Steel, Low-Alloy Steel, Tool Steel, Stainless Steel, Cast
Iron etc.
Polymers: Thermoplastic Polymers, Thermosetting Polymers, Elastomers etc.
Ceramics: Glass, Cements, Clay Products, Refractories, Abrasives etc.
Composites: Particulate Composites, Fibrous Composites, Laminated Composites etc.
Common civil engineering materials are stones, bricks, cement,
mortar, timber, metals/alloys, paints/varnishes, and
asphalt/bitumen/tar.

8. Properties of building materials: physical, chemical, mechanical
and thermal.
• Physical properties
Observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance measurable.
 Density, melting point, conductivity, coefficient of expansion, electric resistivity,
specific resistivity, bulk density or unit weight, permeability, hygroscopicity etc.
• Chemical property
Describes the ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change.
 Reactivity with other chemicals
Toxicity, Coordination number, Flammability, Enthalpy of formation, Heat of
combustion, Oxidation states, Chemical stability, acidity or alkalinity, corrosion
resistance, chemical composition etc.

9. Properties of building materials…..
• Mechanical properties
 Materials performs when different forces are applied to them.
 Strength, ductility, elasticity, malleability, toughness, brittleness, hardness,
fatigue, creep, wears resistance, etc.
• Thermal properties
Properties of a material which is related to its conductivity of heat.
Properties that are exhibited by a material when the heat is passed through it
Heat capacity, Thermal Expansion, Thermal conductivity, Thermal stress.

10. Types, characteristics, composition, selection, and usage/function of
engineering materials (stones, bricks, cement, mortar, timber,
metals/alloys, paints/varnishes, and asphalt/bitumen/tar)

11. Stone
• Derived from rocks
• Mixture of two or more minerals
Types, Characteristics, Composition>> Based on Classification
Classification>>Geological, Physical & Chemical
Geological Classification
(a)Igneous rocks
– Formed by cooling of molten magma.
– Basalts, traps, granite, dolerite, syenite, pegmatite, gabbro.pumice etc.
– Igneous rock formed at earth crust is called intrusive rock or Plutonic rock
eg pegmatities, granite, diorite, syenite, gabbro.
– Igneous rock formed due to cooling of magma at relatively shallow depth is
called hypabysal rocks eg. dolerite
– Igneous rock formed due to cooling of magma at the surface of earth is
called extrusive or volcanic rock eg basalt, trap

12. Stone
(a)Sedimentary rock.
– Rock formed by deposition of debris, sand and silt and subjected to enormous
overburden pressure for million of years.
– Eg. Gravel, sand stone, limestone, dolomite, conglomerate, gypsum,
magnesite, chalk, shale, tripoli, diatomite, kankar, laterite.
(c)Metamorphic rock.
– Due to heat, pressure and chemically acting fluids considerable changes in
igneous and sedimentary rocks occurs resulting a metromorhic rock.
– Eg. Gneiss, marble, slate, schist, quartzite, serpentine, phyllite etc.
– Granite gneiss, sandstone  quartzite, limestone  marble, shale  slate,
conglomerate – gneisss.
– Quartzite is most weather resisting metamorphic rock.

13. Stone
Sedimentary rock.
– Rock formed by deposition of debris, sand and silt and subjected to
enormous overburden pressure for million of years.
– Gravel, sand stone, limestone, dolomite, conglomerate, gypsum,
magnesite, chalk, shale, tripoli, diatomite, kankar, laterite.
Metamorphic rock.
– Due to heat, pressure and chemically acting fluids considerable changes
in igneous and sedimentary rocks occurs resulting a metromorhic rock.
– Gneiss, marble, slate, schist, quartzite, serpentine, phyllite etc.
– Granite gneiss, sandstone  quartzite, limestone  marble, shale 
slate, conglomerate – gneiss.
– Quartzite is most weather resisting metamorphic rock.

14. Stone
Physical classification
• Stratified rock
If the rock can be split easily along distinct layer they are called
stratified rock.
Slate, marble, lime stone and all sedimentary rocks.
• Unstratified rock
If the rock shows no stratification and can not be split into thin layers.
All igneous rock
• Foliated rock
The rocks having tendency to split in a certain direction is called
foliated rocks.
All metamorphic rock except marble and quartzite are foliated rock

15. Stone
Chemical classification
(i) Argillaceous rocks
– Principal constituent is clay.
– Laterite, slate, kaolin etc.
(ii) Siliceous rocks.
– Principal constituent is silica.
– Flint, quartzite, basalt, granite, trap, sandstone.
(iii) Calcareous rocks:
– Lime as principal constituent.
– Dolomite, limestone marble.
– Easily acted upon by hydrochloric acid.

16. Stone
Characteristic of good building stones
Weight
The stones used for the construction of dams,weir, barr,, docks and harbbass should be of heavier weight.
 Specific gravity of good building stones should be between 2.4 and 2.8.
Porosity and absorption
– A good gravity stone should absorb water less than 5% and rejected if absorbs more than 10%.
– Seasoning– stone after quarrying should be left period of 6 to 12 months.
Strength
– Minimum crushing strength of building stone should be 100 kg/cm2.
– Strength of stone in wet condition is (30 – 40) % less as compared to dry condition.

17. Stone
Hardness
– Hardness may be tested by scratching with a pen knife and expressed in terms of Moh’s scale.
– Hardness in Moh’s scale Talc (1), hypium (2), calcite (3), Fluorite (4), Apatite (5), arthoclase (6), Quartz (7,
Topz (8)– carondum (9), Diamond (10).
– Hardness number of marble should not be less than 3.

18. Quarrying of stone
• Process of taking out stone from its natural bed.
• Digging, heating, wedging, blasting are the method of quarrying.
• Wedging method is employed for rocks which are in the form of layers.
• Blasting method is suitable for quarrying the hard and compact stones.
• Blasting powder, dynamite, gun-cotton gelignite, cordite, Rock-a-rock is commonly used explosives.
• Gun powder should not used under water where gelignite is commonly used under water and wet
conditions.
• Gun powder may be beastly destroyed by throwing in water.

19. Uses of stone and their selection
Use Name of the stone Reasons for selections
Construction of building exposed to high wind
blowing
Granite and sand stone Hardness due to presence of silica
For general building construction Sand stone Hard and durable
For heavy construction work such as docks,
bridges
Granite and Gneiss Strong, durable
Building exposed to fire Compact sand stone Fire resisting properties
For road metal and railway ballast Granite and basalt Hard, tough and abrasion resistance
Electrical switch boards Marble and slate Posses electrical resistance
Manufacture of lime Lime stone Decomposed into quick lime on
heating
Manufacture of iron Lime stone Special Characteristics.

20. Practice Question
1. The rocks which are formed due to cooling of magma at a relatively shallow depth from the earth’s surface are called
a) Plutonic rock b) Hypabyssal rocks
c) Volcanic rocks d) Igneous rock
2. In stone masonry, stones are so placed that the direction of pressure to the plane of bedding is
a) Right angles b) 45° c) 60° d) parallel
3. Good quality stone must be
a) be durable b) be free from clay
c) resist acid action d) all of the above
4. The important test to be conducted on a stone used in docks and harbors is
a) hardness test b) workability test
c) weight test d) toughness test
5. The porosity of good building stone should not be more than
a) 3% b) 5% c) 10% d) 20%

21. Practice Question
6. For carving ornamental and architectural beauty, the stone should be
a) Hard b) Soft c) Light d) Heavy
7. Tripoli is a type of
a) Igneous rock b) Sedimentary rock c) Metamorphic rock d) None of above
8. The physical classification divides the rocks into
a) Calcareous, argillaceous and siliceous b) Organic, semi-organic and inorganic
c) Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic d) Stratified, Unstratified and foliated

22. Bricks
Chemical composition of Brick earth
• Clay or Alumina: (20 – 30) % by weight.
• Silt: (20 – 35) % by weight.
• Sand or silica: (35 – 50) % by weight.
• Remaining ingredients (lron oxide, Magnesia, lime, sodium potash): (1 – 2) % by
weight.
• The total water-soluble material should not be more than one percent by weight.

23. Manufacture of bricks
1. Selection of site
2. Preparation of clay.
– Generally top layer of soil above 200 mm depth is removed to get the brick earth.
– Winning is the process of obtaining brick earth from its natural deposits.
– Weathering of brick earth is done to impart plasticity and strength to the clay generally
through a monsoon.
3. Tempering of clay
– The process of mixing of ingredients of brick except water in suitable proportion is called
blending.
– Process of mixing, clay, water and other ingredients of brick is called pugging.
– Tempering can be done by manually called kneading and with the help of pug mill called
pugging.
– Quantity of water added may range from ¼-1/3 of the weight of soil.

24. 4. Moulding of bricks
• Moulding may be either by hand or machine
• In Nepal generally bricks are sun-dried
• Bricks are burnt in clamps or kiln
• Hand moulding is done either by ground moulding or table moulding
• Strike is used to remove the clay above the level of mould, it maybe
piece of wood or iron wire
• If fine sand or ash is sprinkled on the inner surface of mould, the
bricks are known as sand moulded and if water is used then it is called
slop moulded.
• Frog is an indentation mark left on the face of brick and it serves the
purposes as a) indicate name of manufacturing firm (b) key for mortar.

25. 5. Drying of bricks.
• Brick can be dried naturally or artificially.
• Natural drying is also called as hack drying.
• Sun dried bricks are also called as adobe brick.
6. Burning of bricks.
• Bricks are burnt in clamps (Pazawah) or kiln.
• Bricks are burnt in clamps are of poor quality compared to kiln burn bricks.
• When a temperature about 1100°c is reached, constituents of bricks bind themselves together and
small amount of fusible glass formed which binds the coarse particles of clay.
• It takes (2– to 6) month to burn and cool the bricks in clamp burning.
• It takes 24 hrs for burning and time of cooling about 12 days in kiln burning.
• Normally 60% first class brick from clamp and 90% first class brick obtain from kiln burning.
• Bull’s trench kiln is semi continuous and Haffman's kiln is continuous kiln.
• Bull’s trench kiln is constructed under the ground and Haffman’s kiln above the ground.

26. Classification of Bricks
a) First class bricks:
• Should not absorb water more than 20% by weight when immersed in water for 24 hrs [I.S] and 15% in
[N.S.]
• Minimum compressive strength is 10.5 N/mm2
• Specific gravity of 1.8
• Well burnt and regular in shape and produce metallic sound.
b) Second class brick.
• Well-burnt but irregular in shape and size.
• Should not absorb water more than 22% [I.S] by weight and 20% [N.S].
• Minimum compressive strength of 7N/mm2
c) Third class bricks
• Not well-burnt and irregular shape and size.
• Also called as pilla bricks.
• Should not absorb water more than 25% by weight.
d) Over burnt or Jhamma bricks
• Over burnt, vitrified and distorted bricks.

27. Some Points
• Standard size of brick as per N.S is: 224 mm × 108 mm × 57 mm.
• Actual size of standard modular brick is 20cm × 10cm × 10cm.
• The density of common bricks varies from (1600 – 1920) kg/m3.
• The number of bricks required per cubic metre of brick masonry is 500 [I.S]
• The number of machine made bricks required per cubic metre according to [N.S.] is 530.
• The number of bricks required per cubic metre for rat trap bond according to [N.S.] is 400
• Unskilled skilled labor and unskilled labor required per cubic metre according to [N.S.] is 1.5 Man days and 2.2
Man days respectively.
• The number of hand made bricks (Pazawah Bricks, Chimney Made Bricks, भट्टाको ईट्टा) required per cubic metre
according to [N.S.] is 560.
• Weight of bricks normally lies in between (3.2 – 3.5) kg.
• No part of brick masonry wall should be constructed more than 1m one day in case of one bricks or thicker walls
and 0.6m in one day in case of half brick wall.
• Bricks should be soaked minimum one hour before use with cement mortar.

28. • Water absorption of refractory bricks is (4 – 10) %
• Refractory bricks are always set in a mortar of fire clay and not in lime or cement mortar.
• The dry brick content moisture of about 6%.
• The thickness of joints shall be not more than 10mm in brick masonry.
• The mortar used in masonry work shall have the strength not less than 5 N/mm2 or 7.5 N/mm2 at 28
days as specified.
• Masonry work in cement mortar shall be kept constantly moist on all faces for a minimum period of
seven days.

29. Practice Question
1. The terms frogs means
a) an impression to lift the stone b) a depression of a face of the brick
c) vertical joint in a brick work d) soaking brick in water
2. The frog of a brick is normally made on its
a) top face b) bottom face c) longer face d) shorter side
3. The size of mould for bricks, is generally kept
a) a little larger to specified size b) a little small to specified size
c) equal to specified size d) 10% larger than specified size
4. The minimum compressive strength of 1st class bricks should be
a) 75 kg/cm2 b) 90 kg/cm2 c) 100 kg/cm2 d) 120 kg/cm2
5. Refractory bricks resist
a) high temperature b) chemical action
c) dampness d) all of the above

30. Cement
Cement is binding material with adhesive and cohesive properties obtained by pulverizing clinker formed by
Calcining raw materials primarily consisting of lime, silicate, alumina and iron oxide.
Mixing of raw materials is done in ball mill and burning is
done in rotary kiln while grinding is done in tube mill.

31. Bogue’s compound
1. Tricalcium silicate: (3CaO. SiO2) C3S
2. Dicalcium silicate: C2S
3. Tricalcium aluminate: C3A
4. Tetra calcium aluminum ferrite: C4AF

32. Bogue’s compound

33. Some points
• C3A is the first to react with water and causes the initial set
• Burning of raw materials of cement is done at temperature of (1300°C to 1900°C, resulting clinker.
• Clinker is dark greenish blue balls of diameter about (0.3–2.5) cm.
• Generally (2.5 – 3) % by weight of cement, gypsum is added during grinding to retard the setting time.

34. Types of cement
a) Ordinary port land cement (OPT)
• Nearly 60% of cement used is OPC.
• It has medium rate of strength and less resistance to chemical attack.
b) Portland Pozzolana cement:
• Manufactured by adding Pozzolana (10 – 25) % to ordinary cement clinker.
• Commonly used Pozzolana material in PPC cements are burnt clay, shale or fly ash.
• Properties of PPC are closely similar to OPC and it has same 7 days compressive strength value as of OPC.
• PPC produces lower heat of hydration than UPC and greater resistance to chemical attack.
• PPC is mostly suitable in construction in sea water, hydraulic works and for mass concrete.
• Ultimate strength of PPC is higher than OPC.

35. Types of Portland cement
c) Rapid hardening cement:
• It attains greater strength at on early stage than OPC.
• High early strength in R.H.C. is gained due to a) higher degree of fineness in grinding (b) burning at high
temperature and (c) Increased lime content in the composition.
• The strength development of R.H.C. at the age of 3 days and 7 days is same as respective 7 days and 28 days
strength of OPC.
• R.H.C. can be used in pre-cast elements, road repair etc.

36. d) Low heat cement:
• Percentage of C3S ad C3A is lower than OPC and R.H.C. while C2s is higher.
• Low heat cement is used in mass concrete and place where moderate sulphate attack is likely
to occur.
e) White or colored Portland cement.
• Colored cement consists of Portland cement with (5–10) % of pigment.
• Colored cement are also called as colourcrete.
• Ironxide –red color, chromium oxide-green, cobalt oxide-blue colour is used as pigment.
f) Portland slag cement:
• PSC is obtained by mixing Portland cement clinker, gypsum and granulated blast furnace
slag.
• It should not be used in construction of thin R.C.C. structures

37. g) Quick setting cement:
• Quick setting cement contains aluminum sulphate and is ground much finer than OPC.
• It can be used under water or running water.
h) Extra rapid hardening cement:
• Obtained by grinding calcium chloride (not greater than 2%) with rapid hardening cement.
• It is suitable for cold weather concreting.
i) Expansive cement:
• In this type of cement shrinkage is compensated by expansion and no overall change in volume on drying
• It is used for grouting ducts, construction of water retaining structures.
• It expands mostly during final hardening period.

38. Practice Question
1. Initial setting of cement is caused due to
a) C3S b) C2S c) C3A d) C3AF
2. With storage strength of cement
a) increases b) decreases
c) remains the same d) none of these
3. The most commonly used retarder in cement is
a) gypsum b) calcium chloride c) calcium carbonate d) none
4. Loss on ignition on cement should not exceed
a) 1% b) 4% c) 8% d) 12%

39. Mortar
Proper selection of mortars for various uses depends upon the following factors:
 Type of masonry, namely brick work, stone work, concrete block work, etc., and strength of individual masonry
unit.
 Situation of use of the masonry, namely, whether in foundation, superstructure, etc. Conditions of surrounding
soil in the case of foundation work.
 Load which the masonry will have to bear.
 Conditions of exposure to weather or soil conditions in the case of masonry buried below ground level.
 Type and grading of fine aggregates to be used in the mortar, namely, whether sand, burnt-clay aggregate or
cinder aggregate.
 In the case of hydraulic structures weathering conditions under water contact and under water head action; and
 In case of use in storage of acidic or alkaline substances
 Building material made of lime and cement mixed with sand and water that is spread between bricks or stones so as to
hold them together when it hardens

40. Mortar
Grade Compressive strength at 28 days (N/mm2)
MM 0.5 0.5 to 0.7
MM 0.7 0.7 to 1.5
MM 1.5 1.5 to 2
MM 2 2 to 3
MM 3 3 to 5
MM 5 5 to 7.5
MM 7.5 7.5 and above

41. Mud Mortar
 Mud mortar is prepared by the mix of Mud/ Soil with water, and sand at the ratio of 1:5, and 1:6.
 Soil for mud mortar should have clay and silt content 60 to 70 percent and sand content 40 to 30
percent. It should be free from vegetation, organic matter, gravel, coarse sand and should not contain
excessive quantities of soluble salts.
 To get better-plastered surface, small quantities of hydrated lime, bitumen and cow dung is added.

42. Lime Mortar
 Fat lime mortar is used for plastering, and hydraulic lime mortar is for masonry works. The flexible
properties of cement mortar have completely replaced lime mortar in the market.
 Fat lime is used in whitewashing and plastering walls.
 Lime mortar that is applied to cover internal walls and ceilings is generally called "lime plaster".
 Lime mortar that is applied to cover external or exposed walls is generally called "lime render".
 Lime mortar is of two types: air lime (non-hydraulic limes, those that set when exposed to air, made
with lime putty) and water lime (hydraulic limes, those that set when immersed in water, made with
Natural Hydraulic Lime).

43. Cement Mortar
 Mixing shall be done preferably in a mechanical mixer.
 If done by hand, the operation shall be carried out on a clean watertight platform.
 Cement and sand shall be mixed dry in the required proportions to obtain a uniform color.
 The required quantity of water shall then be added and the mortar mixed to produce a workable consistency.
 In the case of mechanical mixing, the mortar shall be mixed for at least three minutes after addition of water.
Grade of Mortar
Minimum Compressive strength at
28 days (N/mm2)
Mix Proportion (By loose volume)
H1 10 Cement:Sand 1:3
H2 6-7.5 C:S:1:4=7.5, C:S:1:4.5=6
M1 5-3 C:S:1:5=5, C:S:1:6=3
M2 2-3 C:S:1:6=3, C:S:1:9=2
M3 1.5 C:S:1:7=1.5
L1 0.7 C:S:1:8=0.7
L2 0.5

44. Gauged Mortar
In gauge mortar combination of lime and cement is employed as a binder material, and sand used as fine aggregate.
Gauge mortar is, essentially, lime mortar which its strength increased by adding cement.
Surkhi Mortar
In Surkhi mortar, lime is used as binder material and Surkhi is employed as fine aggregate. The Surkhi is finely-
powdered burnt clay which provides more strength than sand and cheaply available.

45. Following are the proportions of cement mortar which is commonly recommended for different works:
1. Masonry Construction:
 For brick/ stone as a structural unit. – 1:3 to 1:6
 For all work in moist situations – 1:3
 For Architectural work – 1:6
 For Load Bearing structures – 1:3 or 1:4
2. Plaster Work:
 For External Plaster 1:4 and Ceiling Plaster – 1:3
 Internal Plaster (If sand is not fine i.e. Fineness Modulus> 3) – 1:5
 For Internal Plaster (if fine sand is available) – 1:6
3. Pointing Work:
 For pointing work proportion of cement mortar should be 1:2 to 1:3.

46. Practice Question
1. The cement mortar mix generally used for masonry work is
a) 1:3 b) 1:5 c) 1:6 d) 1:10
2. The cement mortar mix generally used for internal plastering is
a) 1:3 b) 1:5 c) 1:6 d) 1:10
3. The cement mortar mix generally used for external plastering is
a) 1:3 b) 1:5 c) 1:6 d) 1:10
4. The process of applying cement mortar under pressure through a nozzle is called
a) Pressurizing b) Prestressing c. Guniting d) None of the above
5. The volume of one bag of cement weighing 50 kg is
a) 0.05 m3 b) 0.0345 m3 c) 0.025 m3 d) 0.04 m3

47. Thank You
For your concentration………