GATE Exam 2023 Syllabus for Civil Engineering

What is GATE Civil Engineering Exam?
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a National-Level postgraduate entrance exam for engineering graduates. Usually, this is executed by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and 7 other Indian institutes of Technology (IIT) located across India.

It is conducted every year in February, and the next GATE exam is expected to take place in February 2023. This time, IIT Kanpur will conduct the GATE 2023, and Biomedical Engineering will be counted as a new subject paper.

IIT Kanpur has released the syllabus for GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023. Candidates appearing for GATE from the civil engineering discipline can refer to the syllabus before starting their preparation.

There were a total of 8 major sections in the GATE Civil Engineering syllabus:

General Aptitude
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Geomatics Engineering
Engineering Mathematics

Here we can see that General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics are the standard sections seen in other engineering disciplines in the GATE exam. The GA section covered the 15 marks in the GATE exam 2023, and the EM section covered 13 marks, whereas the rest 72 marks were dedicated to the other 6 sections of the Civil Engineering Syllabus.

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GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023

Engineering Mathematics

Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues and EigenVectors.

Calculus: Functions of a single variable; Mean value theorems, local maxima and minima, Taylor and Maclaurin series; Limit, continuity and differentiability; Evaluation of definite and indefinite integrals, application of definite integral to obtain area and volume; Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green's theorems; Partial derivatives; Total derivative;

Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE): First order (linear and nonlinear) equations; higher order linear equations with constant coefficients; Laplace transform and its application in solving linear ODEs; Euler-Cauchy equations and boundary value problems.

Partial Differential Equation (PDE): Fourier series; solutions of one-dimensional diffusion equation; separation of variables; first and second-order one-dimensional wave equation and two-dimensional Laplace equation.

Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems; Conditional probability; Descriptive statistics – Mean, median, mode and standard deviation; Continuous random variables: normal and exponential distributions; Hypothesis testing; Continuous random variables, Discrete Random variables: Poisson and Binomial distributions: normal and exponential distributions.

Numerical Methods: Accuracy and precision; error analysis. Numerical solutions of algebraic equations; Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson's rule, single and multi-step methods for first-order differential equations; Least square approximation, Newton's and Lagrange polynomials, numerical differentiation.

Structural Engineering

Engineering Mechanics: Internal forces in structures; Friction and its applications; Kinematics of point mass and rigid body; System of forces, free-body diagrams, equilibrium equations; Centre of mass; Euler's equations of motion; Energy methods; Impulse Momentum; Principles of virtual work.

Solid Mechanics: Bending moment and shear force in statically determinate beams; Simple bending theory, flexural and shear stresses, shear centre; Uniform torsion, buckling of column, combined and direct bending stresses; Simple stress and strain relationships; Theories of failures.

Structural Analysis: Statically determinate and indeterminate structures by force/ energy methods; Method of superposition; arches, beams, cables, Analysis of trusses, frames; Displacement methods: Slope deflection and moment distribution methods; Influence lines; Stiffness and flexibility methods of structural analysis.

Construction Materials and Management: Construction Materials: Structural steel – composition, material properties, and behaviour; Concrete – constituents, mix design, short-term and long-term properties; Timber; Bitumen, Bricks and mortar. Construction Management: Types of construction projects; Tendering and construction contracts; Rate analysis and standard specifications; Cost estimation; Project planning and network analysis – CPM and PERT.

Concrete Structures: Working stress, Limit state, and Ultimate load design concepts; Design of columns, slabs, beams; Bond and development length; Prestressed concrete; Analysis of beam sections at transfer and service loads.

Steel Structures: Working stress and Limit state design concepts; Connections – simple and eccentric, beam-column connections, plate girders and trusses; Design of tension and compression members, beams and beam-columns, column bases; Plastic Analysis of frames and beams

Geotechnical Engineering

Soil Mechanics: Origin of soils, soil structure and fabric; Unified and Indian standard soil classification system; Three-phase system and phase relationships, index properties; Permeability – one-dimensional flow, Darcy's law; Seepage through soils – two-dimensional flow, flow nets, uplift pressure, piping; Mohr's circle, stress paths, practical and total shear strength parameters, characteristics of clays and sand of effective stress, capillarity, seepage force and quicksand condition; One-dimensional consolidation, time rate of consolidation; Mohr's circle, stress paths, practical and total shear strength parameters, characteristics of clays and sand; Compaction in laboratory and field conditions.

Foundation Engineering: Subsurface investigations – boreholes, drilling, scopes sampling, plate load test, standard penetration and cone penetration tests; Earth pressure theories – Coulomb and Rankine; Stability of slopes finite and infinite slopes, method of slices and Bishop's method; Contact pressure; Settlement analysis in sands and clays; Deep foundations – types of piles, static and dynamic formulae, load capacity of piles in sands and clays, pile load test, negative skin friction; Earth pressure theories – Rankine and Coulomb; Stability of slopes finite and infinite slopes, Bishop's method method of slices and Bishop's method; Stress distribution in soils – Westergaards and Boussinesq's theories, pressure bulbs; Shallow foundations – Terzaghi's and Meyerhoff's bearing capacity theories, the effect of the water table; Combined footing and raft foundation.

Water Resources Engineering

Fluid Mechanics: Properties of fluids, fluid statics; Energy, momentum and continuity and corresponding equations; Potential flow, applications of momentum and energy equations; Turbulent and Laminar flow; Flow in pipes, pipe networks; Concept of boundary layer and its growth.

Hydraulics: Flow measurement in channels and pipes; Dimensional analysis and hydraulic similitude; Forces on Immersed bodies; Kinematics of flow, velocity triangles; Basics of hydraulic machines, specific speed of pumps and turbines; Channel Hydraulics – Energy-depth relationships, specific energy, slope profile, critical flow, hydraulic jump, uniform flow and gradually varied flow.

Hydrology: Hydrologic cycle, precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, watershed, infiltration, unit hydrographs, hydrograph analysis, flood estimation and routing, reservoir capacity, reservoir, channel routing, surface run-off models, groundwater hydrology – steady state well hydraulics and aquifers; Application of Darcy's laws.

Irrigation: Duty, delta, estimation of evapotranspiration; Crop water requirements; Design of lined and unlined canals, spillways,headworks, gravity dams and; Design of weirs on the permeable foundation; Types of irrigation systems, irrigation methods; Drainage and Water logging; Canal regulation works, cross-drainage structures, outlets, and escapes.

Environmental Engineering

Water and Wastewater: Quality standards, basic unit processes, and operations for water treatment. Drinking water standards, water requirements, basic unit operations, and unit processes for surface water treatment, and distribution of water. Sewage and sewerage treatment, quantity, and characteristics of wastewater. Effluent discharge standards. Domestic wastewater treatment, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of wastewater, the number of characteristics of domestic wastewater, primary and secondary treatment. Unit operations and unit processes of sludge disposal and domestic wastewater.

Air Pollution: Types of pollutants, their sources and impacts, air pollution meteorology, air quality standards, and limits, and air pollution control.

Municipal Solid Wastes: Characteristics, generation, collection, and transportation of solid wastes, engineered systems for solid waste management (energy recovery, reuse/ recycle, treatment, and disposal).

Noise Pollution: Impacts of noise, permissible limits of noise pollution, measurement of noise, and control of noise pollution.

Transportation Engineering

Transportation Infrastructure: Highway alignment and engineering surveys; Geometric design of highways – cross-sectional elements, sight distances, horizontal and vertical alignments; Geometric design of railway track; Airport runway length, taxiway, and exit taxiway design.

Highway Pavements: Highway materials – desirable properties and quality control tests; Design of bituminous paving mixes; Design factors for flexible and rigid pavements; Design of flexible pavement using IRC: 37-2012; Design of rigid pavements using IRC: 58-2011; Distresses in concrete pavements.

Traffic Engineering: Traffic studies on flow, speed, travel time – delay and O-D study, PCU, peak hour factor, parking study, accident study and Analysis, statistical Analysis of traffic data; Microscopic and macroscopic parameters of traffic flow, fundamental relationships; Control devices, signal design by Webster's method; Types of intersections and channelization; Highway capacity and level of service of rural highways and urban roads.

Geomatics Engineering

Principles of surveying; Errors and their adjustment; Maps – scale, coordinate system; Distance and angle measurement – Levelling and trigonometric levelling; Traversing and triangulation survey; Total station; Horizontal and vertical curves. Photogrammetry – scale, flying height; Remote sensing – basics, platform and sensors, visual image interpretation; Basics of Geographical information system (GIS) and Geographical Positioning system (GPS).

How to Prepare for GATE Civil Engineering Exam?

The GATE Exam is widely regarded as the most challenging exam in the country. As a result, one must be well prepared to qualify for GATE 2023, gain admission to IITs/IISc, or get a job in a public sector organisation. Students who want to pass the exam with a good score must have solid planning, excellent execution, a competent mentor, and self-confidence. Below mentioned are some of the best tips for GATE 2023 Preparation that students can use:

Begin Early- This will assist you in planning your studies and obtaining the necessary materials for the GATE Exam.
Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern- Because your preparation strategy will depend on the exam syllabus and the number of topics, it's critical to understand the GATE 2023 Syllabus and Exam Pattern.
Know the previous years' trends on the weightage of topics- Understanding the topic distribution in the GATE question paper is crucial because it will enable you to determine the weightage of your firm and vulnerable regions, allowing you to prepare appropriately. You can look at the Previous Year GATE Question Paper to assess how subjects are weighted and then focus on those topics that appear to have more questions and weightage in the question paper.
Create a Study Strategy- Once you've familiarised yourself with the exam pattern and weightage of topics, it's time to create a comprehensive study plan. While preparing the study plan, keep the following points in mind:
Set goals for yourself on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
Remember to separate issues into challenging, middle, and manageable sections.
Organise your themes so that they don't appear to be overly repetitious.
Give more weight to the topics with the most weight and the most chances of being asked in the exam.
Make sure you complete many mock tests and sample papers and keep track of your scores using your graph.
Break times and durations should be scheduled so that you stay energised even during long study hours.
Practice General Aptitude well- Because the General Aptitude section holds a weightage of 15 marks, you must prepare well to improve your score. Candidates can use Newspapers, and past papers from other competitive tests can be used to prepare for the general aptitude component.
Revise and Practice through Mock Tests- The most significant aspect of GATE 2023 preparation is regularly revising. The revision will help you comprehend the topics or concepts better and increase your knowledge. It is also a good idea to take notes during revision so that you may refer to them later during the exam. Also, solve the previous ten years' papers, which would significantly contribute to your preparation..

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Books for GATE Civil Engineering Exam

Book	Author
Discrete Mathematics and its Applications	Kenneth Rosen
Higher Engineering Mathematics	B.S. Grewal
Advanced Engineering Mathematics	Erwin Kreyszig
Theory of Structure	CK Wang, S. Rammamrutham, L.S. Negi & Jangit
Theory of Elasticity	Timoshenko & Gere
Theory of Structure	Wilbur & Morris
Strength of Materials/Mechanics of Structure	Gere & Timoshenko
Soil Mechanics	Gopal Ranjan & Rao,Venkat Ramaiha,S. K. Garg,
Water Resources	S K Garg
Fluid Mechanics	RK Bansal & Fox and richard
Transportation	Justo Khanna
Environmental Engineering	S K Garg
Waste Water Engineering	B.C. Punmia
Surveying	B.C. Punmia, Ashok Jain, Arun Jain