FE Exam

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:

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:

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:

Solution:

FE Exam Prep: NEW Civil Engineering Soil Sample Problem

September 21, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), we solve another civil engineering soil sample problem designed by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate, to help you prepare for your FE Exam. You can check out a previous soil problem we did here.

Question:

The specific gravity of a saturated soil sample is 2.75 with a total unit mass of 2500 kg/m³. The dry unit mass is most nearly:

Solution:

FE Exam Prep: Civil Engineering Soil Sample

September 7, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we solve a civil engineering soil sample problem to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the FE Exam.

Question:

A soil sample has a total mass of 24g, a volume of 12cm³, an oven-dry mass of 22g, and a specific gravity of 2.4 for the solids.

The void ratio of this soil sample is most nearly:

Solution:

Calculating Torque Transmitted by a Gear Shaft

August 24, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we calculate what torque is transmitted by the shaft of a gear to give you a better understanding of what you can expect during the FE Exam.

Question:

Two meshing spur gears are arranged such that neither gear is turning and both are in equilibrium. A small gear has a radius of 4 cm. The shaft of this small gear carries a torsional moment of 75 N∙m from an external motor. A larger gear has a radius of 20 cm. Assuming a 100% transmission of efficiency, what torque is transmitted by the shaft of the larger gear?

Solution:

Can I Take the FE Exam and PE Exam In the Same Year?

August 10, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above) I answer a question I get from listeners all the time which is: “Can I take the FE and PE exam in the same year?” And also SHOULD YOU? The answer depends on several factors, which I explain in this article.
[Read more…] about Can I Take the FE Exam and PE Exam In the Same Year?

Fluid Mechanics Review: Calculating Capacity of a Concrete Stormwater Pipe

July 27, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), we calculate the capacity of a concrete stormwater pipe that forms part of the Fluid Mechanics section of the FE Exam.

Question:

A concrete stormwater pipe is 500 feet long and has a pipe diameter of 36 inches. The inlet elevation is 165 feet and the outlet elevation is 160 feet. The Manning roughness coefficient, assumed to be constant with depth of flow, is 0.012.During heavy rainfalls, the stormwater pipe flows full with no surcharge.

During heavy rainfalls, the capacity of the stormwater pipe is most nearly:

Explanation:

How Much Does It Cost to Take the FE Exam? (In 2022)

July 12, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article, (and video above), I discuss how much it will cost to take the FE exam and also look into some of the additional costs you may incur when planning to take the FE Exam.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is generally your first step in the process to becoming a professional licensed engineer or P.E. The exam is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program, however, engineers at any career stage can apply to sit for the exam.

So, how much will it cost you to take the exam? The FE exam will cost you $175 unless you live in the following states or regions, which fees are as follows:
[Read more…] about How Much Does It Cost to Take the FE Exam? (In 2022)

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.