FE Exam

Calculating the Total Elongation of a Mixed-Marital Assembly

June 28, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we calculate the total elongation of a mixed-marital assembly to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the FE exam. This week’s problem was created and solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

A solid round steel rod 6 mm in diameter and 400 mm long is rigidly connected to the end of a square brass rod 25 mm on a side and 350 mm long. The geometric axes of the bars are along the same line. An axial tensile force of 5 kN is applied at the extreme ends of the assembly. For steel, E = 200 Gpa and for brass, E = 90 Gpa. Determine the total elongation for the assembly.

Solution:

FE Exam Prep: Distance A Golf Ball Travels

June 14, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we determine the distance a golf ball travels. A question on this topic would typically be found in the Dynamics section of the FE Exam and therefore will give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam. This week’s problem was created and solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

A golfer on level ground attempts to drive a golf ball across a 900 ft. wide pond, hitting the ball so that it travels initially at 200ft./s. The ball travels at an initial angle of 45° to the horizontal plane. How far will the golf ball travel, and does it clear the pond?

Solution:

Calculating the Maximum Compression of a Loaded Spring: FE Exam Review

June 1, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we calculate the compression of a loaded spring to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam. This week’s problem was created and solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

A disk with a mass of 1kg, a diameter of 10cm, and a width of 5cm is placed on the edge at the top of an inclined ramp 1m high. The ramp is inclined at 15°. At the bottom of the ramp is a spring whose spring constant is 2,000 N/m. The disk rolls down the ramp and compresses the spring while coming to a complete stop. What is the maximum compression of the loaded spring?

Solution:

Calculating the Velocity of a Falling Ball | FE Exam Prep

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

In this article, (and video above), we calculate the velocity of a falling ball. A question on this topic would typically be found in the Dynamics section of the FE Exam and therefore will give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam. This week’s problem was created and solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

The velocity (in m/s) of a falling ball is described by the equation:

What is the acceleration at time t=2s?

Solution:

FE Mechanical Exam Review: Calculating Heat Transfer Through A Concrete Wall

May 3, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we’re going to calculate the heat transfer through a concrete wall. This question forms part of the Mechanical section of the FE Exam and will give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam. This week’s problem was solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

A concrete wall is 20 cm thick and has an overall thermal resistance of 0.2 m2 ·°C/W. The temperature difference between the two wall surfaces is 5°C. What is most nearly the heat transfer through the wall?

Solution:

5 Tips & Tricks to Pass the FE Exam in 2 Months

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

In this article (and video above), I talk with Alejandro Patino, EIT, Senior Engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design, who gives us five specific tips on how he prepared, studied, and passed the FE exam with two months of focused study time.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Alejandro:

Talk to us about your first tip which is about creating an exam schedule?
What process did you use to prepare for the FE exam?
What advice can you share with the listeners when doing practice problems?
How did you time yourself during the exam and why do you think this was the reason you failed the exam the first time?
What final tip would you like to share with the listeners?

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

FE Exam Prep: Probability & Statistics – Normal Distribution

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

In this article, (and video above), we’re going to use a normal distribution to determine the probability of a curve. This question forms part of the probability & statistics section of the FE Exam and will give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam.

Question:

Given a normal distribution of quantity x, where n(x) represents the unit normal distribution function, what is the probability that a given sample quantity, x1, will lie between x = x0 and x = x2?

Solution:

I Failed the FE Exam 2 Times Until I Did This: Secrets to Passing the FE Exam

March 23, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this video, I talk with Chris Siwczak, a project engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design who failed the FE exam 2 times but then passed it the third time. He talks about what he did differently the third time around and how he built accountability into his study schedule.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Chris:

How many times did you take it, and what made the difference in finally passing the FE exam?
Did your company support you when taking the exam and if so, how did they support you?
What did your study schedule look like?
What tips can you share with the listeners that helped you in passing the exam?

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

Environmental Engineering Exam: FE Exam Prep

March 9, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we solve the value of an interior angle that forms part of the Civil and Environmental Engineering section of the FE Exam to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam.

Question:

The interior angles of triangular traverse were measured as: angle A 63 +- .01 degrees. angle B 41 +- .03 degrees, and angle C 77 +- .03 degrees. The most probable value for angle B is:

Solution:

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) | FE Exam Review

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

In this article (and video above), we calculate the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of wastewater that forms part of the Civil and Environmental Engineering section of the FE exam to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the exam. This problem was solved by Enrique Ivers, an Engineer in Training.

Question:

A sample of wastewater is incubated for 7 d at a temperature of 20°C. After this incubation period, the BOD is found to be 211 mg/L. The reaction rate constant is 0.14 d-1 (base e) The ultimate BOD of this sample is most nearly:

A: 225mg/L
B: 310 mg/L
C: 340 mg/L
D: 560 mg/L