Videos

PE EXAM Practice Question: Calculating Flow Rate

December 6, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we calculate the flow rate of water at room temperature through 2,000 ft. of 8-in (8.18-in ID) 20 year old cast iron pipe. This question forms part of the Structural Mechanics section of the PE Exam and was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate.

Question:

Water at room temperature flows through 2,000 ft. of 8-in (8.18-in ID) 20 year old cast iron pipe.. The pressure in the pipe drops from 90 psi at the source to 85 psi at the end What is the flow rate in the pipe, in gallons per minute?

Explanation:

Five Steps to Getting Your Engineering License

November 30, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I provide you with 5 easy steps that you can use to start the process of getting your engineering license.

Here Are Five Steps to Getting Your Engineering License

PE 62: Your Master’s Degree May Count Toward Your PE License

November 22, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I answer a question from one of our listeners about whether a master’s degree can help you take the P.E. exam sooner, and also cover some of the other benefits of getting your master’s degree.

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

Each state has its own process and requirements for you to be able to sit for the P.E. exam, so you will therefore need to reach out to the state that you are practicing in, or seeking your license in, and consult their guidelines.
In many states, a master’s degree in engineering can shave one year off your experience requirement, which will help you take the exam sooner.
Some states will also accept internship experience as part of the experience requirements.
I would not recommend getting a master’s degree for the sole purpose of taking your P.E. exam sooner. However, depending on the discipline you are in, some companies require a master’s degree when hiring new staff.

Sources:

Is a Master’s Degree in Engineering Helpful Towards a Professional Engineering License?

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

PPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.

I hope you found this article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will solve some more PE exam practice problems and answer other questions from our subscribers. Pass the PE Exam videos will publish weekly, so be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss something that could make a substantial difference in your exam result.

Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of this video, or on this page and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.

I’ll see you next week… on Pass the PE Exam

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

Civil Engineering Disciplines: Geotechnical (Explained in Under 5 Minutes)

November 16, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

There are so many students who don’t always know what civil engineering discipline to choose when applying for college, and then, when it becomes time to take their FE Exams, they battle even more as they might have chosen a discipline that does not fit their interests or personality. Therefore, we thought it would be helpful to start a series on each of the 5 civil engineering disciplines to give you a better idea what to expect both in your studies, and FE exams. We will discuss the roles and responsibilities of each one of these disciplines and the skills needed for each discipline, to help you in your decision making process, and in this article (and video above), we will take a look at The Geotechnical Engineering Discipline.

What Do Geotechnical Engineers Do?

Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering; however, it involves using scientific methods and principles to collect and interpret the physical properties of the ground. Geotechnical engineers are involved in all stages of the design of structures, from concept to construction. Their work is essential in the design and planning process as they assess the integrity of soil, clay, silt, sand, and rock, prior to construction commencing. They start by undertaking a desk (or in office) study, assessing maps, and contacting local authorities. This is followed by a ground (or field) investigation based on the findings of the desk study and involves trial pitting and sampling to uncover any potential issues.

How to Maintain Your Professional Engineering License

November 8, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

As a professional engineer, you would have worked long and hard to achieve your engineering license. After years of study and after passing both your FE and PE exams, you now have the career that you have been striving towards. But what happens after you have passed your PE exam? Once you can call yourself a professional engineer, it will be essential that you understand how to maintain your engineering license. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the professional engineering license maintenance and renewal process.

Earning a PE license is just the beginning. Many state licensing boards require that professional engineers maintain and improve their skills through continuing education courses and other opportunities for professional development.

If you are a licensed engineer anywhere in the United States, you must understand how your state handles continuing education, as it’s likely to impact your license renewal process. Proper renewals allow professionals to continue practicing engineering without interruption.

Why You Need Continuing Education

FE Exam Review: Calculating Links and Arcs

November 2, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we calculate links and arcs in a road transportation network. This problem type might be found in the Transportation Engineering section of the FE Exam to help you prepare for your FE Exam. This problem was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate.

Question:

The connection matrix represents a road transportation network between five locations:

What is the total number of links, and the total number of arcs?

Solution:

PE EXAM Practice Question: Calculating Shear Force

October 25, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we calculate the maximum shear force and moment resultant from a point load applied to a beam by drawing the shear force diagram and moment diagram associated with the condition. This question forms part of the Structural Mechanics section of the PE Exam and was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers

Question:

For the beam shown, what is the maximum shear force and the maximum moment?

Explanation:

FE Exam Review: Environmental Engineering & Water Resources (2022)

October 19, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we calculate the projected life of a new landfill. This problem type might be found in the Water Resources and Environmental section of the FE Exam and will help you prepare for your FE Exam. This problem was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate.

Question:

A waste management company wishes to calculate the projected life of their new landfill. The landfill is 500m x 200m in plan area and 30m deep. The average daily filling pattern, after compaction of refuse, is expected to be 20 m x 10 m x 4m deep. The daily cover stipulated by local ordinance is 15 cm per day. The company will operate the landfill Monday through Friday, every week in the year, with no holidays. The projected life of the landfill is most nearly:

Solution:

PE Exam Practice Question – Calculating the Source Pressure to Move Water Through a Steel Pipe

October 11, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we calculate the source pressure to move water through a 3″ ID steel pipe by using the Darcy-Weisbach equation and the Friction Factor Diagram provided in the PE Handbook. This question forms part of the Hydraulics and Hydrology section of the PE Exam and was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers.

Question:

Water needs to be transferred from a settling basin to a treatment facility. The distance from the basin to the facility is 500 feet, and the facility is at an elevation 25 feet higher than the basin. The specified capacity is 100 gallons per minute with at least 20psig of pressure at the facility.

If a 3-inch ID steel pipe is used, how much pressure needs to be provided at the basin, in psig? The Reynolds number is determined to be 2 x 10^5 and the specific roughness per the pipe manufacturer is 0.0002 ft.

Explanation:

FE Exam Review: Chemical Reactions Section (2022)

October 5, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), to help you prepare for the FE exam, we calculate the concentration of a metal compound Hg²⁺. This problem type may be found in the Chemistry and Biology or Chemical Reactions section of the FE Exam, and was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate.

Question:

The Chloride (Cl^–) concentration in a lake is found to be 2.5 x 10^-2. The HgCl₂ (aq) concentration is found to be 5 x 10^-7M. The following chemical equations and equilibrium constants apply:

The concentration of Hg²⁺ is most nearly: