GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern

GATE Civil Engineering (CE) tests the core subjects of a civil engineering degree. This page lists the full syllabus; every other lesson in this track covers one part of it, with key concepts, formulas, a worked example and GATE-style questions.

Exam pattern

The CE paper is held in two sessions (CE1 and CE2), and marks are normalised between them.

Syllabus

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics (see the Engineering Mathematics track)

• Linear algebra: matrices, rank, systems of equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
• Calculus: functions of one variable, limits, continuity, differentiability, mean value theorems, maxima and minima, Taylor series, definite and improper integrals, partial derivatives, gradient, divergence and curl, line, surface and volume integrals.
• Ordinary differential equations: first order (linear and non-linear), higher order linear equations with constant coefficients, Euler-Cauchy equations, initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms.
• Partial differential equations: Fourier series, separation of variables, the one-dimensional diffusion and wave equations, the Laplace equation.
• Probability and statistics: definitions, sampling, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, random variables, Poisson, normal and binomial distributions, correlation and regression.
• Numerical methods: errors, solution of linear and non-linear equations, numerical integration (trapezoidal and Simpson's rules), numerical solution of ordinary differential equations.

Section 2: Structural Engineering

• Engineering mechanics: systems of forces, free-body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, centroid, moment of inertia, kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, virtual work.
• Solid mechanics: bending moment and shear force in determinate beams, simple stress and strain, Hooke's law, elastic constants, principal stresses and Mohr's circle, theories of failure, bending and shear stresses, torsion, thin cylinders, deflection of beams, columns.
• Structural analysis: statically determinate and indeterminate structures by force and displacement methods, energy methods, influence lines, matrix methods (stiffness and flexibility), analysis of trusses, arches, beams and frames.
• Construction materials and management: properties of cement, aggregates, concrete, bricks, steel and timber; mix design; project planning and network analysis (PERT, CPM); cost estimation.
• Concrete structures: working stress and limit state design, design of beams, slabs, columns and footings for flexure, shear and axial loads, bond and development length, prestressed concrete.
• Steel structures: working stress and limit state design, tension and compression members, beams and beam-columns, column bases, bolted and welded connections, plastic analysis of beams and frames.

Section 3: Geotechnical Engineering

• Soil mechanics: origin, three-phase system, index properties, classification, permeability, seepage and flow nets, effective stress, compaction, consolidation, shear strength (Mohr-Coulomb, triaxial and direct shear tests).
• Foundation engineering: sub-surface investigation, earth pressure theories, stability of slopes, stress distribution (Boussinesq), bearing capacity (Terzaghi), settlement, pile foundations.

Section 4: Water Resources Engineering

• Fluid mechanics: properties of fluids, fluid statics, continuity, momentum and energy equations, Bernoulli's equation, potential flow, laminar and turbulent flow, flow in pipes and pipe networks, boundary layers, dimensional analysis.
• Hydraulics: forces on immersed bodies, open channel flow (specific energy, critical flow, hydraulic jump, uniform flow, gradually varied flow), flow measurement.
• Hydrology: the hydrologic cycle, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, hydrographs and unit hydrographs, flood estimation and routing, reservoir capacity, groundwater and well hydraulics.
• Irrigation: water requirements of crops, duty and delta, design of lined and unlined canals, cross-drainage structures, gravity dams and spillways.

Section 5: Environmental Engineering

• Water and wastewater quality and treatment: water quality standards, unit processes and operations, water demand, distribution, sewerage, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment, BOD and COD, activated sludge, sludge disposal.
• Air pollution: types of pollutants, sources, meteorology, dispersion, control, standards.
• Municipal solid wastes: characteristics, generation, collection, transportation, disposal (landfills, incineration, composting).
• Noise pollution: sources, measurement in decibels, control.

Section 6: Transportation Engineering

• Transportation infrastructure: geometric design of highways (sight distances, superelevation, curves), pavement materials and tests.
• Highway pavements: design of flexible and rigid pavements (IRC methods).
• Traffic engineering: traffic studies, speed-flow-density relationships, capacity, signal design (Webster's method), intersections.

Section 7: Geomatics Engineering

• Principles of surveying, errors and adjustment, maps, distance and angle measurement, levelling, traversing, triangulation, curves, total station, photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS and GPS.

Weightage at a glance

Structural engineering (including mechanics and materials) usually carries the largest share, followed by geotechnical, water resources, environmental and transportation engineering. Geomatics is a small section. Engineering Mathematics (about 13 marks) and General Aptitude (15 marks) are worth almost 30% of the paper together, and are the quickest marks to secure.

How to use this track

Work through the lessons in order. Each one lists its syllabus topics, the formulas most often needed in GATE numericals, a worked example checked by a program, and practice questions. Then solve the Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude tracks.