CERM Companion Practice Problems Booklet

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ktulu

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I don't know how many of us are working the 439 practice problems that are the companion to the CERM, but the solutions that they use are, in a few cases, way too in depth to find the answer.

I found this example this morning:

For example, problem #2 in Section 79 (highway curves): the problem asks to find the required length of curve that is required to be at least 15 ft. under an overpass. The solution uses proportional ratios to find the answer. I understand how they did it.

But, a simpler way to find the answer uses only (2) equations found in the CERM: Eqns 79.46 & 79.47

1.) Find the elevation directly under the overpass, remembering that is has to be 15 ft. below the overpass,

134.06 ft (elev. overpass) - 15 ft = 110.06 ft.

2.) Use Eqn 79.47 to find R -- R = 1.11%/sta

3.) Use Eqn 79.46 to find L -- L = 8.1 sta

I just thought it was a lot easier than using proportions based on the BVC....

:beerchug:

On another note: does anyone agree that ALOT of these questions are geared for the DEPTH section of the exam? Based on general solutions they give? Just curious....

 
I don't know how many of us are working the 439 practice problems that are the companion to the CERM, but the solutions that they use are, in a few cases, way too in depth to find the answer.
I found this example this morning:

For example, problem #2 in Section 79 (highway curves): the problem asks to find the required length of curve that is required to be at least 15 ft. under an overpass. The solution uses proportional ratios to find the answer. I understand how they did it.

But, a simpler way to find the answer uses only (2) equations found in the CERM: Eqns 79.46 & 79.47

1.) Find the elevation directly under the overpass, remembering that is has to be 15 ft. below the overpass,

134.06 ft (elev. overpass) - 15 ft = 110.06 ft.

2.) Use Eqn 79.47 to find R -- R = 1.11%/sta

3.) Use Eqn 79.46 to find L -- L = 8.1 sta

I just thought it was a lot easier than using proportions based on the BVC....

:p10940623:

On another note: does anyone agree that ALOT of these questions are geared for the DEPTH section of the exam? Based on general solutions they give? Just curious....

I completely agree....and I think :"the other board": does it on purpose. They would rather over prepare thier clients for the exam rather than sell material :p10940623: that under prepares them. The CERM does seem to try and prepare you for the depth, but at the same time, it lacks HEAVILY in transportation (HCM stuff), structural (Timer stuff), and Enviromental. :th_rockon: ---as far as depth knowledge goes. :beerchug:

 
I agree with the HCM stuff in the CERM. Worked a couple problems last night from the companion practice poblems - did not even USE the CERM - it was all out of the HCM. Not my definition of a companion... :beerchug:

 
I have done a few problems from "the other board" using slightly different methods to get the correct answer. Sometimes its a pipe flow nomograph or using Hickerson's book to solve a curve.

 
I have found that there are simpler solutions to many of the problems in the 'companion' as well. I am working a fair number of the problems, but every so often I hit a question that just seems too out of whack to be a test question, so I pass on them.

Otherwise I have worked the NCEES practice exam and the 6 minute books (AM only on my morning items, AM & PM as applicable on the afternoon topics).

I am trying to be overprepared... Do it once, do it right, and never do it again!!!

-Ray

 
I think I worked most of the examples and then maybe the first 3rd of the actual end of chapter problems. (for WR, ENV, & GEO)

They are too long and drawn out, but I did refer back to one of the problems on the exam because I had forgotten how to do a simple intermediate step and was able to refer to it because I had worked (well skimmed) through a good deal of the end of chapter sections for WR, ENV, and GEO

I dont think I worked a single problem from STR, and the TRA was kind of "bad" in my opinion so I stuck with the 6 min stuff for TRA.

 
Know your appendices well- they should be your best friend in the exam. One of the best ways I have found to save a lot of time is to use the friction losses per thousand feet of pipe at a given flow rate. You can short cut all that moody diagram crap trying to figure out what the epsilon/D then friction factor, then reynolds number, etc. etc.

Also, remember the little things like 2.3 feet of head increases pressure by 1 psi. Stuff like that makes short work of Bernoulli equation.

I also have added a million little notes throughout the CERM whenever I realize I did a problem wrong or spent a lot of time cross referencing something. I also add equations and stuff from other sources at the end of the relevant CERM chapter.

I know the "the other board" practice exam WR afternoon section was just like the practice questions. I don't think I can do more than 15% of them in under 6 minutes.

I hope like hell that I will find the exam easy when I take it next month. :th_rockon:

 
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