UPSC Civil Engineering Optional Syllabus for Mains

The Civil Engineering optional for UPSC is a highly technical subject suitable for candidates with a strong academic background in the field. It consists of two papers (Paper I and Paper II), each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. Below is a detailed breakdown:

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PAPER I

Section A – Building Materials, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures

1. Building Materials

• Physical and Chemical Properties:
• Stones, Bricks, Tiles, Lime, Cement, Mortars, Concrete, Timber, and Plastics.
• Mechanical Properties:
• Strength, Elasticity, Plasticity, Creep, Shrinkage, Hardness, Durability.
• Cement & Concrete:
• Types of cement and their properties.
• Ingredients and mix proportions of concrete.
• Water-cement ratio.
• Workability, durability, curing methods.
• Special concretes: lightweight concrete, high-strength concrete, polymer concrete.
• Timber:
• Defects, seasoning, preservation techniques.
• Plastics & Composite Materials:
• Types, properties, applications in construction.
• Steel:
• Properties of mild steel and high tensile steel.
• Structural uses.

2. Solid Mechanics

• Stress and Strain:
• Axial, Shear, and Thermal stresses.
• Principal stresses and Mohr's circle.
• Elastic Constants:
• Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity, Bulk modulus, and Shear modulus.
• Torsion:
• Torsion of circular shafts, transmission of power, combined bending and torsion.
• Bending:
• Theory of simple bending, bending stress distribution, shear stress in beams.
• Deflection:
• Deflection of beams and cantilevers using various methods (double integration, moment area).
• Columns:
• Euler’s theory, Rankine’s formula, buckling.

3. Structural Analysis

• Analysis of Indeterminate Structures:
• Methods: Moment distribution, Slope deflection, Kani’s method, Castigliano’s theorem.
• Rolling Loads & Influence Lines:
• Influence line diagrams for simply supported beams, maximum shear force and bending moment.
• Arches & Trusses:
• Three-hinged and two-hinged arches.
• Analysis of perfect frames using graphical and analytical methods.
• Matrix Methods:
• Flexibility and stiffness method basics.
• Plastic Analysis:
• Concept of plastic hinge, collapse load.

4. Design of Steel Structures

• Philosophy of Design:
• Limit state method, Working stress method.
• Connections:
• Riveted, bolted, and welded joints.
• Tension and Compression Members:
• Design of struts and ties.
• Beams and Plate Girders:
• Laterally supported and unsupported beams.
• Web buckling, web crippling.
• Roof Trusses:
• Design of purlins and joints.
• Column and Column Bases:
• Design of columns under axial and biaxial bending.
• Industrial Structures:
• Gantry girders and industrial frame analysis.

5. Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures

• Working Stress and Limit State Method:
• Comparison and applicability.
• Reinforced Concrete Elements:
• Design of singly and doubly reinforced beams.
• T-beams, one-way and two-way slabs, columns, footings.
• Prestressed Concrete:
• Principles, losses in prestress, design of simple members.
• Water Retaining Structures:
• Underground and overhead tanks, design criteria.
• Masonry Structures:
• Design of load-bearing walls, reinforced masonry.

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PAPER II

Section A – Construction Planning and Management, Surveying and Transportation Engineering

1. Construction Planning and Management

• Construction Activities:
• Types and methods, construction equipment.
• Project Management Techniques:
• PERT and CPM, network analysis.
• Time-cost optimization.
• Resource Allocation:
• Labor, materials, equipment planning.
• Contracts and Tenders:
• Types, conditions, dispute resolution, arbitration.
• Quality Control:
• Statistical quality control, ISO standards.

2. Surveying

• Basics of Surveying:
• Principles, errors, classifications.
• Instruments:
• Theodolite, EDM, total station, auto level.
• Levelling:
• Differential levelling, contouring.
• Traversing and Triangulation:
• Methods, adjustments, applications.
• Tacheometry and Photogrammetry:
• Field applications and computations.
• Remote Sensing and GIS:
• Concepts and applications in civil engineering.

3. Transportation Engineering

• Highway Engineering:
• Geometric design, cross-section, horizontal and vertical alignment.
• Design of flexible and rigid pavements.
• Traffic Engineering:
• Traffic surveys, speed, volume, accidents.
• Traffic signals, road signs, and markings.
• Railway Engineering:
• Permanent way components, gauges, track layouts.
• Points and crossings, station yards.
• Airport Engineering:
• Runway and taxiway design, zoning laws.
• Harbor Engineering:
• Port layout, breakwaters, jetties, berthing areas.

Section B – Hydrology, Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, and Irrigation Engineering

4. Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering

• Hydrological Cycle:
• Precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, runoff.
• Flood Estimation and Management:
• Design floods, hydrographs, reservoir routing.
• Groundwater Hydrology:
• Aquifer properties, well hydraulics.
• Water Resource Planning:
• Multipurpose projects, reservoir planning.

5. Environmental Engineering

• Water Supply Engineering:
• Source, intake, treatment, and distribution of water.
• Wastewater Engineering:
• Sewerage systems, sewage treatment methods.
• Air Pollution:
• Causes, effects, control methods.
• Noise Pollution:
• Sources, measurement, control.
• Solid Waste Management:
• Collection, transport, disposal, recycling.

6. Irrigation Engineering

• Soil-Water-Plant Relationship:
• Consumptive use, crop water requirement.
• Irrigation Methods:
• Surface, sprinkler, drip.
• Canal Design:
• Kennedy’s and Lacey’s theories.
• Water Logging and Drainage:
• Causes, effects, control measures.
• Dams and Spillways:
• Classification, design of gravity and earth dams.
• Types and design of spillways.
• Cross Drainage Works:
• Aqueducts, syphon aqueducts, superpassage.

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Conclusion

The Civil Engineering optional offers a technical and scoring edge for aspirants with a core engineering background. A well-structured study plan focusing on both theoretical concepts and practical applications, supported by diagrams, derivations, and design examples, is key to scoring well in this optional.