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2 Days, people! The deadline to enter the Fall Giveaway is tomorrow! That’s September 30. After that, it really is too late. Did we mention that you could win a FREE course? Enter today! 

“Dr. Tom’s class structure simplifies preparation for the exam and provides great tools (Personalized Resource Notebooks and Exam Day Companion) that were extremely helpful during the exam. I would definitely recommend others to consider this approach.”
- Jose Chavarria, PE, DNV GL Inc., Phoenix, Arizona

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Only 3 Days Left to Enter Our Course Giveaway!

This is it folks! You’ve got today, Friday and then Saturday to enter the Fall Giveaway. After September 30, it’s too late. So enter today! 



“Dr. Tom's 20-week course is the reason that I passed the PE. If I had chosen to study on my own, there would be no chance I'd pass. There are so many strong points to this course I cannot name them all. The week to week structure of the course kept me on track, so I did not run out of time days before the exam. On the participant forum, his quick and clear responses to my questions helped me at times I was stuck. The Exam Day Companion was a great reference. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone.”
Stephen E. Kreidler, PE, Tulsa, OK

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Only 4 Days Left to Enter Our Course Giveaway!

Time is running out! The last day to enter the Fall Giveaway is September 30. Enter today and you could win a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam. Even if you don’t win, you get a discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. What have you got to lose? Enter today! 

“Dr. Tom's methodical approach to preparing for the PE exam helped me to get and stay organized from the very beginning. The extra practice and challenge problems were an excellent compliment to the NCEES practice exam and MERM. I have no doubt that this class ensured my success on the exam on my first attempt.”
Nicole DiFidi, P.E., Boise, ID

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Only 5 Days Left to Enter Our Course Giveaway!

The countdown continues! The last day to enter the Fall Giveaway is September 30. Enter today and you could win a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam. Even if you don’t win, you get a discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. Enter now!



“I had taken the exam several times and even took a class, but it wasn't until I found Dr. Tom’s online classroom that I was able to finally pass. This style and organization was exactly what I needed.  I wish I had started with this program in the very beginning. Thank you Thank you!!!”
Ashley Ryan Pardo, PE, Houston, TX

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Only 6 Days Left to Enter Our Course Giveaway!

The deadline is looming! The last day to enter the Fall Giveaway is September 30. So what are you waiting for? Enter today and you could win a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam. Even if you don’t win, you get a discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. It really is time to enter!

“No nonsense, make the plan, work the plan kind of guy.  If you want a plan that will put you on the track to first time success, Dr. Tom is your man.”    
- William Lowery II, PE, UNC Cogeneration Systems, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Mechanical: Thermal & Fluids NCEES Problem 537

Problem 537 in the NCEES Mechanical Practice Exam for Thermal & Fluids Systems is straightforward, however it has a major intimidation factor when you first come to it in the Practice Exam and would if a similar problem was on the actual exam. Lots of information taking up an entire page, and a very complicated schematic of the cogeneration plant. In this presentation I go through the strategy and steps to approach this problem with calm and confidence. I hope it adds to your ability to handle these kinds of problems successfully.  - Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom’s Solution to Mechanical: Thermal & Fluids NCEES Problem 537

DTC recommends that anyone taking the PE Exam purchase the NCEES Practice Exam for the exam they are taking. It is an essential exam review resource. https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/

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Hemingway’s Key West House and Cats Survive Yet Another Hurricane

Almost two weeks ago Hurricane Irma came ashore in Key West.  Everyone on the island had been ordered to leave, and did.  However, an exception was made for the 10 member staff of the Hemingway Museum and its 54 six-toed cats. They made it through the storm without any damage. Not even the basement flooded.  The house was built in 1851 by a marine architect. Its walls are 18 inch thick solid limestone obtained on the site which is the second highest on the island, only 16 feet above sea level.

With the massive devastation caused by Harvey, Irma, and now Maria, and the rebuilding that will result, innovative ways to help structures survive these terrible storms will be considered, and it seems clear that the design of this house at the far end of the Florida Keys might be a good place to start the discussion. - Dr. Tom

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Only 10 Days Left to Enter Our Course Giveaway!

The deadline is looming! The last day to enter the Giveaway is September 30, but don’t wait until the last minute. Enter now, and you’ll have time to look through the sample lessons and see how our courses work. Then if you are one of our lucky winners, you could receive a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam. Even if you don’t win, you’ll also get discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. That’ll save you $75 to $95 right there. Here at DTC headquarters, we love helping people pass the PE Exam. So what are you waiting for? Enter today and start sampling!

 

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“Barnes Dance” Pedestrian Scramble Catching on in Los Angeles

Although it sounds like a dance you might have learned back in your middle school gym class square dance days, the Barnes Dance is actually a pedestrian crossing technique. Also known as a Pedestrian Scramble, the movement allows pedestrians to cross an intersection diagonally while all vehicle traffic is stopped. These crossings are most frequently deployed at signalized intersections with high pedestrian traffic, but Los Angeles just opened a Scramble at a stop-controlled intersection.

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - Make the Right Decision - Choose DTC for Your PE Exam Review Partner!

“It had been 18 years since I graduated with my BSME, and I knew I had a huge challenge ahead of me to review and re-learn all the necessary material. I had tried just studying from the “big blue book,” and I had looked into other review courses as well. I chose Dr. Tom having seen how he presented material in his sample videos. Once I began the course, I knew I had made the right decision. Dr. Tom will focus your study on what you need to know, he will take the time to explain those elements which are challenging, and he will be there all the way through to exam day. The materials that Dr. Tom provides are invaluable during the exam! I honestly believe that I could not have passed the exam without Dr. Tom’s teaching, guidance and strategy. Dr. Tom should be your #1 resource for exam preparation!”

- Mike R., PE, Atlanta, GA

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Mechanical: Thermal & Fluids NCEES Problem 139

Problem 139 in the NCEES Mechanical Practice Exam for Thermal & Fluids Systems is a classic problem that involves finding the coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump. You are given a table of the pressure, temperature, and most importantly the enthalpy at all four points in the cycle. (Note the enthalpy at point 4 equals that at point 3.) The problem and NCEES solution are very straightforward and you should have no trouble following the steps.

However, there have been problems where you are told that the evaporator has so many “degrees of superheat,” or the condenser has so many “degrees of subcooling.” What do these terms mean? The purpose of this presentation is to explain how these fit into the standard heat pump cycle. By the way, these terms could also show up for an air conditioner or refrigerator, but they mean the same for the respective elements of the cycle. - Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom’s Solution to Mechanical: Thermal & Fluids NCEES Problem 139
 

DTC recommends that anyone taking the PE Exam purchase the NCEES Practice Exam for the exam they are taking. It is an essential exam review resource. https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/

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Fighting Water with Water - Temporary Flood Control

You don't actually have to have your home flood before you realize how devastating this can be. Just seeing people being rescued from rising waters and then dealing with the aftermath is heart breaking. The area where I live experienced extensive flooding last year during Hurricane Matthew, and now we have images of the overwhelming flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. 

These terrible storms are a loud calling to the engineering community to design ways to help minimize the suffering caused by these monumental and costly events. While not a perfect solution for every situation, one idea I saw to reduce the damage caused by flooding is called an Aqua Dam. Using water to fight water, it can be rapidly installed around a single house or used to create a dry roadway through a flooded area. Very innovative, and while it is not inexpensive, weighing its cost against the cost of repairs from flooding, both monetary and psychological, it may be just be worth it. - Dr. Tom

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Giveaway Deadline Is Getting Close!

Only 18 days left to enter the DTC Fall Giveaway! But don’t wait until the last minute. Enter now, and you’ll have time to look through the sample lessons and see how our courses work. Then if you are one of our lucky winners, you could receive a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam. Even if you don’t win, you’ll also get discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. That’ll save you $75 to $95 right there. Here at DTC headquarters, we love helping people pass the PE Exam. So what are you waiting for? The deadline is September 30. Enter today and start sampling!

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A Dizzying View and a World Record

Another bridge record was overtaken last month when a Swiss bridge opened. The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge now holds the title for the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world at a length of 1621 feet. The bridge was much needed, cutting the travel time across a mountain valley from 4 hours to just 10 minutes.

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - The Insight You’ve Been Looking For!

“Dr. Tom's 20-Week course helped me learn everything I needed to pass the PE exam on the first try. He did a better job of explaining the material than most of my professors. He was always very friendly and easy to understand. The best part about the 20-Week review is that you develop a weekly schedule of what you need to work on. Material is not crammed into a 3 or 4 week review like some other PE courses. With the 20-Week Review, you gradually rebuild and strengthen what you learned in college so you can take on the PE exam with confidence. The Exam Day Companion is worth it's weight in gold! I have already recommended my coworker to the course, and I will encourage other ME's to take the course. It was also the cheapest course I was able to find. I just wish I could shake Dr. Tom's hand and tell him thank you for everything!”
- Michael Noll, PE, Delmar Systems in Houston, TX

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Mechanical: Machine Design & Materials NCEES Problem 112

Problem 112 in the NCEES Mechanical Practice Exam for Machine Design & Materials has been one of the more troublesome NCEES MDM Practice Exam problems for our participants. The solution begins with an equation that results in questions like "where did that come from?"  When I first looked at the solution I had the same question. What is lacking is a statement up front that the change in length of the bar must equal the change in length of the spring. The bar gets longer because of the increase in temperature, but it simultaneously gets shorter because of the increase in the force in the spring. Once you do that, you get the equation they started with. This is actually a great problem, and I hope my explanation helps you to understand all its fundamental concepts.  - Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom’s Solution to Mechanical: Machine Design & Materials NCEES Problem 112

DTC recommends that anyone taking the PE Exam purchase the NCEES Practice Exam for the exam they are taking. It is an essential exam review resource. https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/ 

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Transformer-Like Self-Deploying Portable Homes

Tiny houses are all the rage these days, and RV’s have been popular for decades. The idea of taking your home with you where ever you want to go has always had an allure - think of gypsy caravans and houseboats. Today, a visionary company, Ten Fold, is taking this concept to amazing levels, with portable homes that are also marvels of mechanical engineering. Push a button, and your home converts, Transformer style, from a tractor trailer into a home complete with furniture. You’ve got to watch the video. I've lost count of how many times I have watched it to see all the incredible possibilities. Enjoy. - Dr. Tom

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Helping You Become a PE Is What We Do!

You want to be a PE. We want to help. So let’s work together to get you there. We have great review courses and we make them affordable. And right now, we’re taking it a step further and giving you a chance to win a Free or Half-Price Civil or Mechanical Review for the April 2018 PE Exam, and giving away a discount code for 10% off on a DTC PE Exam Review. All you have to is enter the DTC Fall Giveaway before September 30. And once you enter, you’ll be able to view sample lessons and see how our courses work. So what are you waiting for? Enter today and take the first step towards becoming a PE!

“I passed the April 2017 exam on my first try taking the PE, and I do not believe I would have passed without the help this course provided. Dr Tom's help in identifying errors in NCEES and PPI published solutions was very helpful and I would have been ill prepared studying on my own. Your course was tremendously helpful and I have already begun recommending it to friends and colleagues gearing up to take the PE. Just wanted to give a sincere thank you for conducting this course.”
- Patrick Cable, PE

 

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Urgent Advice for Those in the Path of Hurricane Irma!

The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) has new advice for home owners preparing for Irma and other fierce wind storms: SHUT ALL INTERIOR DOORS, as well as windows and exterior doors. The advice follows an intensive summer study at their unique research center in South Carolina that examined how a full scale single family home performed in scientific wind testing. Debris flies in a hurricane and if a window is broken or seals fail, wind pressure can build inside the home and press upward on a roof that is already stressed by external forces like wind, rain and debris. Closing interior doors can "compartmentalize" the pressure and reduce upward force on the roof. It's a simple step that could make a big difference in how the roof performs. This and other prep tips available. #ShutthedoorsonIrma!

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Rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge with Plastic?

Although it was built 80 years ago, the designers of the Golden Gate Bridge had fantastic strategies for some of the major challenges likely to face the span. Winds, earthquakes, and manufacturing error were all considered and accounted for. Yet, today, engineers would likely still turn to a suspension bridge to complete the job, but using more advanced materials and techniques. Ever wondered how the new versus the old bridge types might differ in material and in transferring forces? This article lays it out.

 

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - Quick Answers To Your Questions

“I found the Participant Forum to be a useful tool to post questions and see other students questions and concerns throughout the 20 weeks. All of the questions I posted were answered by Dr. Tom within a day.”
- Chris F, PE - Westinghouse Electric Company - Irmo, SC

“Dr. Tom has a question/answer forum and was very dedicated to helping and answering all the questions I posted along the way. I would recommend the 20 week course to anyone taking the exam.”
- Britt, PE, Alexandria, VA

“Since it was an online course, I was concerned about getting answers to questions about the assigned problems, Dr. Tom has forum to answer questions and most of my questions were already asked by other students.”
- Tommy, PE, Pomona, CA

“On the participant forum, his quick and clear responses to my questions helped me at times I was stuck. Getting stuck during studying is ok, but not on the exam. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone.”
- Stephen E. Kreidler, PE, Tulsa, OK

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Civil AM: Transportation NCEES Problem 129

We're reviewing Civil AM: Transportation Problem 129 in the NCEES Civil Practice Exams together because this involves an evaluation of traffic count data in a way that is non-typical (a single day of traffic counts is used to represent a month). The key for this problem is to read and understand the problem clearly (the NCEES improved the wording of the problem through an errata). The problem is looking for a seasonal factor that can be used to multiply the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) to arrive at an estimate of the peak or seasonal daily traffic volume. Give it a try, then watch the video.

Dr. Daniel Findley’s Solution to NCEES Civil AM: Transportation Problem 129

DTC recommends that anyone taking the PE Exam purchase the NCEES Practice Exam for the exam they are taking. It is an essential exam review resource. https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/

Begin your review for the October PE Exam today! 
Hop on the Fast Track with a $25 Off Coupon: fast25B 

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