CAE Engineer Interview Questions and How to Answer Them | Engineer’s Interview Blueprint

Preparing for a CAE - GET Engineer interview can be panicking, especially when faced with technical questions that test both your foundational knowledge and hands-on skills.  

With Expleo, a company known for its focus on innovation and engineering solutions, candidates should expect to face questions that cover a broad range of topics, from stress-strain curves to automotive subassemblies.  

This blog will walk you through some of the common interview questions that Expleo asks candidates for the CAE - GET Engineer role, giving you a clear understanding of what to expect and how to tackle each question with confidence. 

Let’s get started.  

1. Which is more elastic? 

Elasticity refers to a material's ability to return to its original shape after being deformed under stress. The elasticity of a material is quantified by its Young's Modulus or Modulus of Elasticity. A material with a higher Young's Modulus is considered more elastic because it deforms less under the same amount of stress. For example, steel is more elastic than rubber, even though rubber stretches more, because steel returns to its original shape much more readily. 

2. Unit Conversions 

Unit conversions involve changing measurements from one unit to another. For example: 

• 1 meter = 100 centimeters 
• 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters 
• 1 Pascal (Pa) = 1 N/m² 
• 1 MPa = 10^6 Pascals 

Understanding unit conversions is essential in engineering to ensure consistency across calculations, particularly when dealing with forces, lengths, and stresses in different measurement systems (e.g., metric vs. imperial). 

3. BIW Basics 

BIW (Body in White) refers to the stage in automotive manufacturing where the car body's sheet metal components are welded together, but before painting and the addition of other components (such as the engine, interior, and doors). BIW is crucial for: 

• Structural integrity: It provides the skeleton of the vehicle. 
• Crash safety: The design of the BIW plays a critical role in absorbing energy during a collision. 
• Weight management: BIW components are often optimized to balance strength and weight, using materials such as high-strength steel and aluminum. 

4. Bending Moment Calculation 

The bending moment at any point in a beam is the reaction induced in the beam due to external forces or moments acting on it. It is calculated as: 

Bending Moment(M)=Force(F)×Distance(d)\text{Bending Moment} (M) = \text{Force} (F) \times \text{Distance} (d)Bending Moment(M)=Force(F)×Distance(d) 

Where F is the force applied perpendicular to the beam, and d is the distance from the point where the bending moment is being calculated to the point where the force is applied. 

Maximum bending moment typically occurs at the fixed support for cantilever beams and at the mid-span for simply supported beams with a uniform load. 

5. True Stress-Strain 

True stress and true strain account for the actual changes in a material's dimensions during loading, as opposed to engineering stress-strain which uses the original dimensions. 

True Stress (σ) = FAinstantaneous\frac{F}{A_{instantaneous}}Ainstantaneous F  Where AinstantaneousA_{instantaneous}Ainstantaneous  is the instantaneous cross-sectional area under load. 

True Strain (ε) = ln⁡(ll0)\ln \left( \frac{l}{l_0} \right)ln(l0 l ) Where lll is the current length and l0l_0l0  is the original length. 

True stress and strain provide a more accurate representation of material behavior during plastic deformation, especially for large deformations. 

6. Stress vs Strain Curve 

The stress-strain curve is a graphical representation of a material's response to stress. Key points include: 

• Proportional Limit: The point up to which stress is proportional to strain. 
• Elastic Limit: Beyond this point, permanent deformation occurs. 
• Yield Point: The point where the material starts to deform plastically. 
• Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS): The maximum stress a material can withstand before necking. 
• Fracture Point: Where the material ultimately breaks. 

The slope of the stress-strain curve in the elastic region represents Young's Modulus. 

7. SOM Basics (Strength of Materials) 

Strength of Materials (SOM) involves the study of how materials behave under different types of loads and stresses. Key concepts include: 

• Stress and strain: Stress is the force per unit area, and strain is the deformation due to stress. 
• Young’s Modulus: A measure of a material's stiffness. 
• Shear Force and Bending Moment: The internal forces within a beam subjected to external loads. 
• Torsion: Twisting of an object due to applied torque. 
• Elasticity and Plasticity: Elastic materials return to their original shape after deformation, while plastic materials undergo permanent deformation. 

8. Timestep 

In numerical simulations, the timestep is the increment of time used in calculations. A smaller timestep improves the accuracy of the simulation but requires more computational resources. It’s crucial for simulations involving transient or dynamic analysis, like CFD or FEA. 

9. Draw the stress-strain curve for mild steel 

The stress-strain curve for mild steel features an elastic region where the material can return to its original shape, a yield point indicating the start of plastic deformation, and an ultimate tensile strength point before the material breaks at its fracture point. 

10. Tell about the five sub-assemblies in an automotive car Automotive sub-assemblies include: 

• Engine: The heart of the vehicle providing power. 
• Transmission: Transfers power from the engine to the wheels. 
• Suspension system: Absorbs shocks and maintains vehicle stability. 
• Braking system: Provides control by slowing or stopping the car. 
• Body: The main structure including BIW, which supports and encloses other components. 

11. What is the propeller shaft and its working? 

The propeller shaft transmits torque from the engine or transmission to the differential in rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It connects the transmission to the rear axle, allowing the car to move while compensating for the relative motion between the engine and the axle. 

12. What is the differential in a truck and its working? 

A differential allows wheels to rotate at different speeds while still receiving power. It’s crucial during turns, as the outer wheels must cover more distance than the inner wheels. In trucks, this helps manage the vehicle's stability and control. 

13. When the beam is fixed at one end and has a point load at the other, where is the maximum stress and deformation? 

For a cantilever beam with a fixed end and a point load at the free end, the maximum stress and deformation occur at the fixed end. The further from the fixed end, the lower the stress and deformation. 

14. What are the procedures and tools used to do meshing in ANSA? 

In ANSA, the meshing procedure involves geometry cleanup, surface meshing, and volume meshing. Quality checks like skewness, aspect ratio, and warpage are essential to ensure a good mesh. Tools in ANSA like Batch Mesh or Auto Mesh can automate part of this process, ensuring optimal mesh quality for analysis. 

Conclusion 

Interviewing for a CAE - GET Engineer position at Expleo requires not only technical know-how but also a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals.  

By preparing for questions like these, you’ll not only showcase your technical skills but also your readiness to tackle real-world engineering challenges. 

With the right preparation, you can confidently approach your interview and make a lasting impression.  

Remember, each question is an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and how they align with the role of a CAE Engineer at Expleo.  

With Skill-Lync's Post Graduate Programs, you'll build a rock-solid foundation in all these critical concepts, making you interview-ready in no time. Plus, our Career Experts offer hands-on support through mock interviews, resume workshops, LinkedIn profile optimization, and much more! 

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