Structural Engineering Exam

[engpes]

I am considering taking the 1st structural engineering exam in Louisiana. I am a registered PE and found the Lindeberg Reference Manauls to be very helpful in taking my PE exam.

Does anyone have any suggestions on any reference manual / help guide for taking the Structural Exam 1?

I have already aquired the NCEES study guide, but was looking for a reference manual similar to Lindeberg that may help.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[ToadJones]

Structural Engineering Reference Manual
Alan Williams

 

[frv]

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to take the SE1 if you are already a P.E.?

 

[engpes]

I am a mechanical by trade, and am considering being licensed an SE as well.

Thanks ToadJones!!!

 

[PMR06]

If you're shooting for an SE, you should know that this fall is the last time the SE1 and SE2 will be offered as separate exams. Starting next spring the exam will be a 2-day exam.

As for studying, definitely get the SERM and check out ppi2pass.com and engineerboards.com. Eng-tips.com is a great resource for practicing engineers, but you'll tend to get some resistance asking PE study related questions.

 

[ToadJones]

frv-
You can be a PE and an SE.
Some states require an SE.

 

[Qshake]

Note also that if you're interested in obtaining a SE license, some states require a certain number of credit hours in structural coursework as a requirement. So be sure to thoroughly the information for that licensing board before you get too far.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[steellion]

engpes, this fall is the last time Structural I is being offered, so it will be impossible to gain an S.E. from that because you'd also need to take Structural II (which is also going away) and any state-specific requirements.

If an S.E. license is your goal, wait till Spring '11 and take the new 16-hour structural exam.

 

[ToadJones]

....Or take SEI and SEII this fall, right?

 

[SlideRuleEra]

See this FAQ about the changes starting in Spring 2011:
faq730-1633

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[steellion]

Yes, Structural I is on Oct. 29 and Structural II is on Oct. 30, so you could take them back-to-back.

BUT, there are also state-specific requirements in order to get the SE license. And if you fail one or the other, there is no opportunity for re-test. The two days of the 16-hr exam are graded separately, so if you pass one, then you only need to worry about the other one next time.

It's all very nebulous right now, which is why I recommend to wait. I'm taking Structural I in October to earn my PE, knowing that if I want to go back and get an SE that I'll have to take the whole 16-hr test again.

 

[DWHA]

Correct me if I am wrong, but to become a SE, don't you need another SE to sign off that you have been working under their supervision for a period of time? So to become a licensed SE you would need to be practicing strucutal engineering for a while.

 

[strucguy]

@ DWHA
It varies from state to state. From what I know the answer is "Yes" in California. You need to check with the board as the requirements keep changing year after year.

 

[ToadJones]

steelion-
what if you fail SEI in your attempt to gain a PE?

 

[steellion]

Toad, first of all, failing is not going to happen

Secondly, if somehow it did, I'll probably take the Civil PE with Structural emphasis in April because I don't think my state is even planning to offer the 16-hr structural exam.

 

[ToadJones]

Well, maybe just take the Civil PE/Structural from the get go?
It is easy.

 

[steellion]

Believe me, I've considered it. Ultimately, I feel like it's most appropriate to take the Structural exam since I practice every day in structural engineering. Also, my degree is in architectural engineering, not civil, so the choice in studying is either to really hammer home the structural principles, or learn a bunch of civil stuff from scratch that I'll probably never use again.

 

[ToadJones]

Ah, I see.
Yes, I definitely had to go back over all the Civil stuff when studying as I too had never done anything but structural design at work.

 

[dcarr82775]

I have found the NCEES sample questions are all you really need other than the codes and a few text books. The questions they ask are similar to scope of questions you would expect on the exams whether it is the SE1 or SE2.

 

[Andrewstructure]

I am taking the Civil with Structural emphasis because I don't want to wait to take the SEIII.

What reference books does anyone recommend for that exam? (I have seen the list on the NCEES website, but there are so many reference books on the PPI2PASS website that I can't buy them all).