Recent content by andyrich

I will add a few thoughts to Solomonb, but he has some sound advice. I am unclear about the masters degree. There seems to be work in transportation, GIS, and surveying. Was there an emphasis, or subdiscipline, or was it generically a Masters in Civil Engineering? What type of job do you...

I do a little light bridge work, but nothing extraordinary. Per the AASHTO LRFD Article 3.2, Dynamic load allowance is defined as “an increase in the applied static force effects to account for the dynamic interaction between the bridge and moving vehicles.” It used to be referred to as...

I agree with HSO which is different than stopping sight distance. HSO can be calculated by CERM 79.45 (GDHS 3-38) as a funcion of SSD (S) and R. HSO = R(1-cos(28.65*S/R) For example a 35 mph design speed and a curve radius of 800', the S is 250 feet. The HSO is then 800(1-cos(28.65*250/800) =...

Sorry, I posted the incorrect time. It will be 9:30 EDT (6:30PDT), and everywhere in between for the rest of you. The signup for the PE Mini-Nar is here: May 22 2013 Civil – Construction Problem by Andy Richardson 9:30 EDT Will see you there !

As the summer comes and goes, the PE Exam will begin to approach quickly. As a way to get you sharp and keep you that way for the fall Civil PE Exam, a group of engineers including myself have decided to provide a free short webinar covering a special problem each week for the next several...

College? You should have learned it in high school like I did :) I took a drafting class in high school for two years, and that opened my eyes to the world of design and ultimately engineering. I think it probably is important to learn drafting and design in the college curriculum just as...

I don't really recommend buying the older materials. Could you imagine how you would feel if the reason you failed the PE was you missed a question due to not having the most current resource? The CERM is not perfect, but it has worked for a lot of engineers, and is definately one of the best...

Hi everyone, I just posted a new podcast episode on my site about the SE Exam. This is an interview with Mr. Joe Schuster, SE (who just released a practice exam for the SE Exam. I trust you will find his advice useful if you are taking the exam. The episode can be found here...

Thanks for the links. 864 pages...yikes! Maybe its better to use a reference that covers the MUTCD adequately??

You definitely need plenty of practice problems. The CERM does not have problems in it anymore as they moved the practice problems to a companion manual a few years ago. I would suggest getting that to cover breadth + depth problems. Plus you may want to consider the structural practice...

I wanted to just say first that there is some sound advice and wisdom here for you to follow. Also I applaud you for taking a big step of going to the Chamber of Commerce meeting. I did want to build on a couple things. First, when you walk into these companies to talk to them, remember that...

When I worked for someone I was always salary, but I kept my hours by the 1/4 hour. One of my coworkers used to call filling out timesheets 'creative writing', because it is truly difficult to be sure of each 1/4 hour. I try to be conservative, but you cannot give your billable time away. Now...

Hi Everyone, I have just updated two of the PE Exam checklists. The first checklist is for those taking the Civil PE Exam, while the second is a more generic checklist for other disciplines. It provides a good printable checklist of many of the things you need to do and get in order to...

Since you have three "low key" semesters until you graduate, I would agree that you should go for it. It could be a spark to help you get things going. I am not sure if you have work right now, but while you are getting your degree I would suggest to begin looking work and, if possible, start...

The NCEES specs (for 2012), currently state the two sections on environmental are: D. Wastewater treatment; 1. Collection systems (e.g. lift stations, sewer networks, infiltration, inflow). E. Water Treatment 1. Hydraulic loading 2. Distribution systems It seems to me that the...