Structural 2

[swivel63]

anyone take the structural 2? any advice? the states i work in and plan on working in don't need it, but i'mma take it anyway.

 

[jt12]

Assuming you're answering building questions and not bridge questions. Make sure you know how to get wind and seismic loads from code. Make sure you know how to distribute those loads through the building and to the ground. Make sure you are able to design the members resisting those loads (for the appropriate design loads applicable to those members). NCEES likes throwing in some non-standard building geometries, and buildings that have different types of vertical resistance mechanisms (shear wall / braced frame / etc.). Make sure you know how to distribute loads to vertical resistance mechanisms on both a rigid and flexible diaphragm.

 

[swivel63]

thanks.....now i have the kaplan books, and they helped me for the structural 1, are these books recommended for the structural 2? or are there different ones out there? should i wait to take it, considering that i just passed the structural 1 recently?

 

[jt12]

I am not familiar with the Kaplan books. I bought study material from NCEES when I took it. This was basically old questions solved to give you a trial test. Are you anticipating needing the test in the future? If there is a good chance you'll never need it, I'd hold off, but it might be easiest to take it since you are currently somewhat studied up. It isn't exactly a fun test to take.

 

[swivel63]

yea, that's what i heard. the kaplan books are books from kaplan engineering designed to help with studying for the structural 1 and 2. i guess just additional books to help with studying on top of the NCEES books. the kaplan site says they're for both exams. i heard there are books outside of these, that'll help me out as well.