Your Car May Soon Remind You Not To Forget Baby

It’s every parent’s nightmare – forgetting a child in the backseat. New technology from GM and Nissan offer the promise to help alert drivers if a child is left in the back seat of a car. This alert is based on door sequencing analysis. Essentially, if a rear door of the car is opened before the car starts, but is not opened after the car stops, the vehicle will activate a warning sound. This alert will serve as a compliment to other vehicle features designed to improve the safety of users. Learn more about this and other ways carmakers and the government are seeking to solve this problem in this NY Times article.

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - Exactly What You Need

“I took the exam several times and even took a class, but it wasn't until I found this online classroom that I was able to finally pass. This style and organization was exactly what I needed, not to mention I just had a baby on top of taking the course. 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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FLIP - A Research Platform that Actually Flips!

In learning more about Walter Munk this week, we heard about his original investigations into the predictions of wave motion and propagation from their origin in storms off Antarctica to the waves arriving in Alaska. As part of that research, one of the recording stations had to be out in the middle of the ocean. To record the data at this location, Munk obtained permission to use "FLIP" which stands for "Floating Instrument Platform." But FLIP does more than float; it actually flips! FLIP does not have any engines to minimize potential interference with data gathering instrumentation, so it is towed to wherever it is needed in a horizontal position and then literally "flips" to a vertical position in the water.

As you can imagine, everything inside FLIP must operate at two angles, 90 degrees apart. Even the toilets rotate to stay level. It is owned by the Scripps Institute located in San Diego.  There are a number of fascinating videos about FLIP on YouTube, including this video that shows it flipping and another video that takes you on a walking tour both inside and out. It’s absolutely fascinating!

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Cross the Finish Line and Get Your PE with DTC!

There’s no better feeling than when you achieve a hard-earned victory. All of us at DTC love to hear back from our participants after they pass the PE Exam, because we know how hard they’ve worked for it, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping them reach that goal. And we’re here for you too, with the review materials and support that can get you there.

Right now is the perfect time to start! So sign up for a DTC 20-Week Review for the April 2018 Civil or Mechanical PE Exam today at drtomsclassroom.com!

“Thanks to DTC for getting me over the hump and helping me to accomplish a major goal of mine – becoming a PE! Dr. Tom’s prep course provided the structure and the solid foundation I needed to pass the PE exam. Learning to quickly identify the type of problem and using Dr. Tom’s back-to-basics approach to problem solving helped ease some of my concerns of taking the exam and feel confident in my ability to do well. I’ve used an in-class prep course before with no success. The quality, exam day references provided, exam day tips and confidence in Dr. Tom’s program makes it easy for me to recommend Dr. Tom’s Classroom to others I know preparing for the PE exam.” 
- Clint A., P.E., Tulsa, Oklahoma

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“Einstein of the Ocean” turns 100

The inventor of the surf forecast, Walter Munk, turned 100 yesterday on October 18. He pioneered a method to predict ocean conditions that was used to plan  the D-Day landings at Normandy and is still used today to create the surf forecast. This fascinating man is still an active researcher! Check out his story here.

“After more than eight decades of ocean science, Munk shows no signs of slowing down. He is still hard at work, researching and speaking at international conferences. As the worldwide oceanographic community prepares to celebrate his centenary, Munk’s enthusiasm for discovery has not dimmed.”

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - We’ve Got the Right Stuff

“Dr. Tom's Classroom helped me pass on the first attempt. It's been over 8 years since I graduated and I was concerned about re-learning concepts that I do not use in my daily work. His 20-week course provided a thorough review engineering concepts needed to pass the exam. The problems, videos and study plans were vital to reinforce the concepts learned each week and were very helpful to prioritize my studying each week while working full-time. The instructional videos that accompanied many of the problems were key to understanding some of the difficult concepts. The elements of the review course that I found most beneficial were the Exam Day Companion (EDC) and practice problems which were compiled into personal reference notebooks (PRNs). The EDC was my first reference during the exam and provided the equations and concepts needed for the majority of exam day questions.”
- Chris F, PE - Westinghouse Electric Company - Irmo, SC

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Mechanical: Machine Design & Materials NCEES Problem 538 - Static Design

Problem 538 in the NCEES Mechanical Practice Exam for Machine Design & Materials falls under the topic “Static Design” and has a fairly straightforward solution, except that it's not obvious where the equation came from that it uses for calculating the distortion energy stress. We have had a lot of questions in the participant forum for our MDM review course about its origin. This video shows where that equation comes from, and in the process provides a powerful general equation for other similar type problems. The video also fills in a few details left out of the NCEES solution.. - Dr. Tom

Dr. Tom’s Solution to Mechanical: Machine Design & Materials NCEES Problem 538

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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Humanitarian Projects Can Have a Big Impact

Recently we featured an article on a new innovative structure in Paris we called the "sailing egg." It's architect, Shigeru Ban, has won many awards, designing not only spectacular commercial projects, but amazing humanitarian projects in the wake of disasters around the world.

For example, he has designed structures that take advantage of cardboard and other low cost materials. Following the 2004 tsunami that swept away a Sri Lankan fishing village, he developed timber and earth houses that could be easily built. Following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011 he developed shipping-container homes for those displaced by the disaster.

In one interview, Mr. Ban said that "young architects are becoming disillusioned with commercial work and instead are turning to humanitarian projects." A path young engineers can take as well, with the potential for having an equally powerful impact.

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DTC Is With You Every Step of the Way!

Preparing for the PE Exam is a marathon, but you don’t have to go it alone. DTC is there for you every day until the exam. Our 20-Week review gives you daily assignments to structure and target your review. You have access to our Participant Forums where your instructors answer the questions you have about the review lessons and assignments. And we have great folks offering you technical support for the online classroom to make your online learning experience as smooth as possible. Now is the perfect time to begin your preparation with DTC’s 20-Week Reviews for the April 2018 Civil and Mechanical PE Exams. So sign up and start today!



“I passed with an 84%!  I am convinced that without Dr. Tom's Classroom I would not have done nearly as well and there's a good chance I would not have passed. I was very impressed with the material Dr. Tom covered, how he focused on what we needed to know for the exam (not the theory), and how open he and his staff were to any questions or problems I had throughout the course. I highly recommend that anybody who is planning to take the PE take Dr. Tom's Classroom review courses and follow his study outline.”
- Amy C., PE, Houston, Texas

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Look Ma, No Rebar!

Seattle will soon be home to a high-rise missing one common building element: rebar. The Rainier Square Tower will use a new type of shear wall to help resist the seismic forces common to the West Coast. Engineers are still working on a prototype to get all the construction right. We here at Dr. Tom's will be keeping an eye on the project and the new design to see how it all comes together.

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - Flexible to Fit Your Schedule - Whatever It Is!

“I’m a father with two young children and a demanding job. I knew that finding a study resource was critical for me. I wasn’t going to be able to commit hours mid-day or on the weekend to studying. I found the Dr. Tom course after researching PE exam study aids. The initial testimonials grabbed my attention, and after watching your exam strategy videos I felt instantly confident that this was the right program for me. The structure and organization provided by the course and the frank commentary on what or what not to study, were critical in my success. I can’t comment on any other study programs out there, but I can say with complete certainty that the Dr. Tom program ensured my ability to pass the exam. I can’t thank them enough!”
- Aaron John Tippie, PE, Westwood Professional Services, Inc., San Antonio, Texas

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Civil AM: Transportation - How Cross Slope Changes Through A Horizontal Curve

The combination of horizontal and cross-sectional elements onto one image can be difficult to understand and interpret.  In this video, we break down the key points of a horizontal curve and explain how and when the slope of the roadway changes to obtain the necessary cross slopes. Step-by-step, both the outside and inside edge of pavement elevations (relative to the centerline) are described.

Dr. Daniel Findley’s Explanation of how Cross Slope Changes Through A Horizontal Curve.

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Move Over Eiffel Tower, Paris Now Has a Sailing Egg

When you think of Paris, you think of the Eiffel Tower, probably the most iconic structure in all the world. It would be a formidable undertaking to say the least to consider designing a structure to challenge it. However, the design of the new La Seine Musicale makes a dramatic architectural statement while taking solar panel technology to its limit. One of the auditoriums is in the shape of an egg, architecturally imaginative in its own right, yet it’s the moving "sail" that makes it seem like it is indeed "sailing" the skyline of the city. That sail is covered with solar panels, and it moves with the sun to maximize the energy received. The photos in a Dezeen article show that the interior is just as inspired as the exterior. Time to head to Paris to see the sailing solar egg!

 

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Go the Distance. Become a PE!

To pass this exam, you have to put in the time. And now is the perfect time to begin your preparation with DTC’s 20-Week Reviews for the April 2018 Civil and Mechanical PE Exams. Dr. Tom developed the 20-Week Review because he found, after many years of preparing engineers for the PE Exam, that 20 weeks is the optimal timeframe for learning and retaining the knowledge and skills you need to pass the exam. So sign up and start today!


“You don’t have to waste your time with all these other Internet tutors claiming to help you pass in 30 days. They’re a waste of time and money. In Dr. Tom’s classroom, you will definitely pass the PE. I can testify to this. From my personal experience, the PE exam is not a measure of your academic or professional intuitiveness. It’s simply a test where a bunch of engineers decide to sit and make up tests based solely on their own experiences. So there’s no distinct way to prep or study for it. I thank Dr. Tom a lot because somehow he’s been able to decode this myth. My advice is to pay very close attention to every word of his – regardless of what you’ve been taught in college or at work. The goal isn’t to learn how to solve problems or help you with your profession. The goal is to pass the PE test.”
- Eche, PE, Richmond, VA

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Worst Traffic “Hot Spot” in the U.S? I-95 in Northern Virginia

The argument is ongoing – which city in the country has the worst traffic? Well, that depends on how you define “the worst traffic.” While it ranked third behind Los Angeles and New York City in the 10-year costs for traffic congestion in a recent study, the stretch of Interstate 95 that passes Washington D.C. was number one for the worst traffic “hot spot.” With 23 traffic jams a day, drivers passing this hot spot are losing an average of 33 minutes in backups that stretch an average of 6.5 miles, it’s easy to see how it won this honor. A Washington Post article digs deeper into the reasons why.

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - 20 Weeks = Success

“I took the PE exam for the first time and passed. I feel Dr. Tom's 20-Week Review was not only very critical in my passing of the exam but it was exactly what I was looking for in a review course. The course touched on and covered all the subjects needed to be successful. It was very daunting in the beginning because the exam can cover so many topics - many of which I have limited knowledge and background. Dr. Tom's review laid out the important subjects and gave me a guide to be successful. I was very pleased with all the materials he gave to aid in my success - study guides, weekly schedules, practice problems, video lessons, and a question/answer forum. Dr. Tom 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. Thanks for all your help Dr. Tom!”
- Britt, PE, Alexandria, VA

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Civil: Water Resources & Environmental NCEES Problem 120

Problem 120 in the NCEES Civil Practice Exam for Water Resources & Environmental is like many on the exam, it gives you some extraneous information. You have to be careful to read the problem and use the correct depth of flow. It’s a two part problem where you begin by using the Manning equation for flow rate to determine the flow rate in the channel, then use that rate to determine the time to discharge the given runoff volume. Watch your units, and enjoy the video!

Dr. Beth Sciaudone’s Solution to Civil: Water Resources & Environmental NCEES Problem 120

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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Prosthetics as an Extension of Beauty and Ability

In the October 2017 ASME magazine you’ll find this startling photo that looks like it should be in a fashion magazine. It is in fact a photo of a professional model, Kelly Knox, who was born without a forearm. Kelly is modeling a most engaging prosthetic device, designed by New Zealander Danielle Clode, that re-imagines the prosthetic arm as a piece of jewelry – functional, yet beautiful. Going even further, another Clode design has won an award for design creativity from the Royal College of Art in London. Her innovative “Third Thumb” design can actually augment a person’s ability to manipulate objects. The video showing people using it with incredible dexterity is mesmerizing. I really like the last sentence in the ASME article, "Here success is measured not by more euphemisms for the word disability, but by redefining ability itself."

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TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - Look No Further!

“If you don’t read my entire testimonial – here is the “bottom line upfront:” Look no further!

Like many other folks, I had previously taken the Mechanical PE exam without a great deal of structure. In fact, after two unsuccessful attempts in the mid 1990’s – I placed professional registration on hold – uncertain if I would ever try again. However, with life and work ever-changing, it became clear that professional registration would be a benefit.

Needless to say – I passed the PE exam and a great deal of credit goes to Dr. Tom and the course. If you work the program, watch the lectures, do the problems, prepare the personalized resource notebooks, and use the participant forum…..you will pass the exam.  This structure, organization, and commitment are why this program is so successful, and I will be recommending this to my colleagues. Thank you Dr. Tom and your entire staff.”
 - Neil Martin, PE (LTC (Retired – US Army)), Veolia Water Technologies, Naperville, Illinois

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Everlasting 3D Printed Tires

With the development of self-driving cars, automakers are rethinking every aspect of vehicle design. And now it looks like tire manufacturers are getting in on the action too with 3D printed tires that meet the change in demand from driving performance to ride comfort. Michelin is developing a virtually indestructible, airless tire to meet the needs of autonomous travel. And it looks like a sponge!

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Start Strong. Finish Strong.

The DTC 20-Week Reviews for the April 2018 Civil and Mechanical PE Exams are now available for registration. Sign up and start today!

The PE Exam not a sprint; it’s a distance race. And it requires careful preparation to be in good form on exam day. Dr. Tom developed the 20-Week Review because he found, after many years of preparing engineers for the PE Exam, that 20 weeks is the optimal time frame for learning and retaining the knowledge and skills you need to pass the exam.
 

“The PE exam is a “mental marathon” and a major undertaking for anyone, especially someone like myself who had been out of school for 30 years. I passed on my first try, and I attribute this to Dr. Tom’s Classroom for reinforcing basic engineering fundamentals which were lost in my mind. His encouragement, knowledge of MERM, and basic drilling of problems was invaluable in my success. I would recommend his classes to anyone who is planning on taking their PE exam.”
- Michael Sulva, PE, GE-Hitachi, Wilmington, North Carolina

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AND THE WINNERS ARE...

We are delighted to announce the DTC Fall Giveaway 2017 Winners!

Congratulations to:
    Irina Hott - FREE Civil Review Winner
    Jeff Kmoch - FREE Mechanical Review Winner
    Courtney Overton - HALF-PRICE Civil Review Winner
    Guido Scrivanich - HALF-PRICE Mechanical Review Winner

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