SE-I & SE-II Exam Preparation

1. More of reference books / study guides still necessary?
2. More about reference manuals for Steel, Concrete, Wood and/or Masonry Seismic Design?
3. What depth of coverage necessary for SE-I and SE-II?
4. Any on-line study program recommended for these exams?
5. Any problem practice book(s) one should try!
6. Any recommendations!

kevo_55 said:

I've passed both exams, and I could help you out. I'm sure many others could help around here too though.
See this thread: http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=2722

I give all of the books that I took into the exam. Get ready for the design standards to change though. The writing on the wall is 2006 IBC with all the ref's will be used starting next April.

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Genuine_Opinion said:

Kevo_55:
Thank you very much for your response.

I've gone through all of the books you suggested and found almost all of them refer to 2003 edition of codes while I have to match with NCEES recent requirements. I did not find any recent publication (books) on www.iccsafe.org for the latest code for Concrete, Seismic or Masonry design requirements.

I wish to implement intensive study plan for both SE Exams of April-'08. What could be my best bat now?

Regards,

Genuine_Opinion

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kevo_55 said:

Of course, I passed both the SEI and SEII when 2003 IBC was the norm.
But have no fear, the ICC website has new versions of the concrete, seismic, and masonry requirements. You might just need to find the newer versions of the books that I posted.

I'd honestly go and get this though: http://www.iccsafe.org/e/prodshow.html?pro...YLuFchhnj9625|7

It's slated to be out in a week or two. This doesn't go over wind loads, but it's much better than the "Seismic and Wind Forces" book overall.

A while back, somoene posted a link for review courses specifically for the SEI and SEII. I never took them and basically became a hermit when I studied for these exams. Review courses are nice, but not 100% required.

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Genuine_Opinion said:

Kevo_55:
Thanks for your quick response.

Looking to the content of these three volumes titled "2006 Structural Seismic Design Manual Combo", what do you feel it as a substitute for your previously suggested Alan Williams' Three Books like:

1. Structural Engineering: License Review with Problems and Solutions, 5th Edition

2. Civil & Structural Engineering: Seismic Design of Buildings & Bridges, 5th Edition

3. Seismic Wind Forces Structural Design Examples, 3rd Edition

Is the above-mentioned Manual Combo offered by SEAOC sufficiently covering the whole spectrum of course content to replace the above three books? If so then I'll go ahead and buy it. (BTW, the combo is still not available yet). However, If the combo is not sufficient, then I would better wait for the revised publication of the above books. Please verify the content of combo and advise.

Also what’s the significance of “AISC Seismic Design Manual”? (ISBN: 1-56424-056-8)

I've already bought this http://www.iccsafe.org/e/prodshow.html?pro...rDfijtbik8962|8

This is replacing my previous edition of the same book

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Genuine_Opinion

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kevo_55 said:

Genuine,
The 3 book combo is a much better substitute than the "seismic and Wind Forces 3rd Edition" that you had already bought. The only reason why I say this is becuase this 3 book combo is the "gold standard" for seismic design and detailing. In fact, the ICC has been publishing these 3 books for quite some time but (for whatever reason) didn't publish them for the 2003 IBC.

The book that you have from Williams goes through this already. With that said, I used the 2nd edition during the exam and it turned out just fine for me. I wouldn't worry about buying these extra books if you already have Williams.

The main sticking point on specific code based learning is actually books #1 and #2 which you had called out. I wouldn't expect for them to be updated before the April exam so this could mean trouble. It still wouldn't hurt to somehow get your hands on them. Most of the topics don't change. Still, be aware that this is a problem when exam standards change.

The AISC Seismic design Manual is a really nice book but expensive for what it is. It has AISC standards 341-05 (The seismic provisions) and 358-05 as the main "specification" and several AISC tables showing which member is seismicly compact among other nice things. This manual also has examples similar to the Steel section of the William's books, but they are much better. You can download 341-05 and 358-05 at the following adress: http://www.aisc.org/Content/NavigationMenu...s_and_Codes.htm

Honestly, the only reason why I bought the Seismic Design Manual is because I got a good deal on it. Someone at my company is a member of AISC so I was able to use his discount and I bought the AISC 13th edition and Seismic Design Manual "bundle" for $300. Sometime in the future I will take the CA (or WA) Structural III exam so I guess that this wasn't a total impulse purchase.

Well, I hope that this helps!

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kevo_55 said:

Genuine_Opinion,
No problem at all. I'm just here to share the wealth.

I'm on the fence if you really would need the seismic design manual for the exam. For the Structural I, I didn't even bring a copy of the seismic design provisions. For the Structural II, I used it quite a bit.

If you have the cash and plan on doing a lot of steel structures, then I'd get it. Did you already buy your 13th edition? If not, the bundle would save you a bit more cash.

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wmmw said:

Kevo,
I am also preparing for SEII for April 08 and wondering about the analysis of indeterminate structures. Are there any problem like that in the exam? Does the exam specify a specific method to use?

Thanks

wmmw

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kevo_55 said:

Get your hands on the sample exam for the SEII from NCEES. It's a good exam and a nice practice for the real thing.
You WILL be asked to analyze an inderminate structure in the exam. Know your portal (or other) quickhand calculation methods.

If you still have your college structural analysis book, you'll be ok.

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wmmw said:

Kevo,
I have not bought the SEII from NCEES and graduated from 17 yrs (I do not have the structural analysis book). My question was does the exam obligate me to use for instance slope deflection method or moment distribution to analysis the inderminate structure?

OR we may use the approximate methods?

Thanks,

wmmw

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kevo_55 said:

wmmw,
You may use any method you wish on the exam.

The whole point of the SEII exam is showing judgement. You must make professional judgement calls during the exam.

Edit: Also, don't worry about being out of school and not being "ready" for the SEII exam. I'm defintely not the smartest engineer around and I passed. All you need to do is to work hard at it, get a lot of studying in, and you'll pass.

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