PE EXAM TIP – Units, Units Units!!!

If I wasn't Dr. Tom, I'd be Dr. Units. I cannot tell you how many times units are the reason someone gets the wrong answer to a problem. It might be as simple as inches needed to be converted to feet, or the other way around. Or, it is a combination of units like gallons per minute converted to cubic feet per second, and something doesn't cancel. As I say as often as I can, if the units are not right it doesn't matter what the number is. And if it is a predictable error associated with units, then there is a very high probably that the NCEES will make that incorrect answer, answer A, and you now have one less point in your column.

And what makes matters worse, is that most of the solutions in the NCEES Practice Exam have no units, so trying to figure out how the units come out can be very frustrating. And some numbers in these solutions are combinations of unit conversions that I have spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to decipher what they have done. My strongest advice: stay with the basic unit conversions!

There is one thing you typically do not have to worry about relative to units and that is converting between systems, like converting meters to feet or the other way around. About the only time I have seen this required is when horsepower must be converted to kilowatts.

Again, before even thinking about picking up your calculator, make sure the final units are such that they match the units in the exam answers. Then just be careful making the calculation. Remember, you always have time to work the problems you know how to work. - Dr. Tom

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Cactus to the Pollution Rescue

Could the humble cactus be the solution to our plastic waste problem? Chemical engineering professor Sandra Pascoe Ortiz is beta-testing an edible, biodegradable packaging material made from the juice of prickly pear cactus leaves. The juice "is a natural polymer that can be improved by combining certain substances to give it a similar appearance and properties to those of some petroleum-derived plastics," she says.

I found a video posted on the BBC News site that explains the discovery and the process developed by Dr. Ortiz. With all the news lately about how much plastic waste there is on the planet, especially in our oceans, this is a dramatic ray of hope for a material that could literally change the earth. - Dr. Tom

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Instrumental in Passing the Exam!

“After taking your course, I sat for the PE Civil Transportation Exam. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 1990. I have worked in the field for 27 years and this is my first time taking the exam. I received my NCEES results and I passed. Your course was instrumental in passing the exam.”
 - Brent Tucker, PE, Pennsylvania

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Concrete - The Most Popular Man-Made Material on Earth

I’m not surprised that concrete is the most used building material, but I was surprised to find it’s the second most used substance behind water. I don’t think I’ve ever had a construction project where we didn’t use concrete. A fascinating article talks about the past, present and future uses of concrete. - Jason Savage, DTC Civil Construction Instructor

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Civil Engineers - $100 Savings Extended Through Oct. 31!

Now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam preparation with our 20-Week Reviews, and we’re giving you another whole month to take advantage of our $100 discount. Activate your super powers with discount code: civilhero20W.

Armed with the preparation, strategies and resources you get with a DTC Civil PE Exam review, you can achieve the extraordinary. DTC’s targeted, structured review will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal 20-week exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you triumph over the PE Exam.

“With DTC’s help I finally passed the Civil PE exam after several previous attempts! The organization of the course material helped me out tremendously.”
– PE, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Civil Engineers! Time Is Running Out to Save $100!

Sign up by September 30 using the code civilhero20W to get your $100 discount, and now is the perfect time to start your preparation for the April 2020 PE Exam.

DTC’s targeted, structured review will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal 20-week exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you triumph over the PE Exam.

“I passed the Civil Geotechnical PE Exam with a score of 79. Thank you for providing excellent tools for taking the test. It really was the best method to help me prepare well. I will be telling my colleagues about your course and how well it worked for me. Thanks again!”
- PE, Texas

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FEATURED FREE CIVIL VIDEO - NCEES Civil WRE PM Practice Exam Problem 510 - Water Resources & Env: Open Channel Flow

Enjoy one of the most popular videos on the DTC YouTube Channel, with over 6,000 views!

Problem 510 is found in the PM practice exam for Water Resources and Environmental—but don’t be afraid to try it if you are just taking the AM portion as it’s a great problem to practice open channel flow computations!

This problem involves a channel and overbank area which need to convey a given design flood. The unknown in this problem is the width of the overbank needed such that the depth in the channel does not exceed a certain value. There are two given Manning’s n values for the channel and overbank area.

HINT: Separate the main channel and overbank areas into two rectangular cross-sections, and be careful when you compute the wetted perimeter, including only the parts of the channel and overbank that are wetted. - Beth Sciaudone - DTC Civil Water Resources & Envrionmental Instructor

Beth’s Solution to Civil WRE PM: NCEES Problem 510 - Geotechnical: Retaining Wall Stability
https://drtomsclassroom.com/free-civil-videos/

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Fish Friendly Hydro Power

A recent ASME article noted that in 2012 a Department of Energy study identified 54,000 Non-Powered Dams, dams with changes of elevation of 15 feet or higher, which could provide 13 gigawatts of power, enough to power 5 million homes. That potential is to say the least staggering.

The primary reason that these "small dams" are not being utilized is that typical small turbines are a hazard to fish. While there are strategies to keep fish out of these turbines, the methods are expensive, hard to maintain, and an unacceptable mortality is still present.

To address this challenge, the Natel Energy company has developed "fish-safe" turbines. They achieve the required safety to fish in a number of ways. One is to make the blades much thicker so that if a fish does come in contact the curvature of the blade matches the curvature of the fish's spine. Also, the blades have a forward slant so that if there is contact it is a glancing blow and not a direct hit. And because of their efficiency, they turn at slower speeds and once in the turbine the fish easily pass through safely.

Demand for power is ever increasing. Wonderful that there is a way to have power and fish. - Dr. Tom

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - All the Hours Paid Off!

“I participated in the 20-Week Review class for the Civil: Water Resources and Environmental exam. All of the hours put into studying and developing the materials following the Dr. Tom method paid off as I passed the Exam. One of the critical items to my success was understanding the test taking method of taking multiple passes and not allowing myself to become to hung up on any one question. Taking the 20 weeks to absorb the material and develop organized references, I believe, was also critical to my success. I will recommend anyone taking the test in the future to use the Dr. Tom courses, they were worth both my monetary and time investments.”
- Chris Bakey, PE, Cochranville, PA

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The Most Famous Crosswalk in the World

Crosswalks are intended to make crossing a road easier and safer for pedestrians. the world's most famous crosswalk, on Abbey Road, of Beatles' fame, just celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the photo that would make it a tourist destination. According to a CityLab article, this fame has turned a utilitarian and often-overlooked roadway feature into a would-be photo opportunity that is a source of frustration for local drivers. From Lombard Street in San Francisco to many locations along Route 66 to the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway, roadways fill the storage of cell phones and cameras for visitors to these locations, but the Abbey Road crosswalk leads the way for pedestrian crossing photos! - Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

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Civil Engineers – Activate Your Superpowers. Save $100.

All you need to activate your super powers is a little help from Dr. Tom’s Classroom. Armed with the preparation, strategies and resources you get with DTC's Civil 20-Week PE Exam reviews, you can achieve the extraordinary. And now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam preparation with our 20-Week Reviews and save $100 with discount code, civilhero20W.

DTC’s targeted, structured review will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal 20-week exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you triumph over the PE Exam.

“The most difficult part of preparing for the exam was knowing the precise scope of the morning exam subjects and identifying important concepts. In that respect, the extent of each subject presented in the Dr. Toms class, important conceptual explanations, examples that clearly understand the concepts, and especially the various challenges have given me a lot of self-confidence. Again, I would like to thank the Dr. Tom’s Class Team for helping me prepare for the exam.” - Nam Young Do, PE, Lotte E&C, South Korea

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FEATURED FREE CIVIL VIDEO - Civil AM NCEES Problem 119 - Geotechnical: Retaining Wall Stability

Enjoy one of the most popular videos on the DTC YouTube Channel, wtih almost 10,000 views!

Problem 119 in the NCEES Civil AM Practice Exam is a classic Geotechnical question on gravity retaining wall stability, particularly overturning stability of the wall. It is critical that you are able to solve these types of classic retaining wall problems on the PE exam because you are almost certain to see them regardless of which discipline you select for the exam. This question will help you brush up on some basic geometry, statics, and will touch on very simple soil mechanics of lateral earth pressure, which is all you really need to know to solve retaining wall problems on the AM portion of the exam. However, you need to be efficient at solving these problems quickly even if it looks like they require several steps to get to the end result. Our instructional courses at Dr. Tom’s Classroom provide the most efficient way to get to the solution for common PE exam problems just like this one. Give this problem a try and watch the video to see if you understand all of the steps to get to the end result, good luck! - Mike Batten, PE - DTC Civil Geotechnical Instructor

Mike Batten’s Solution to Civil AM: NCEES Problem 119 - Geotechnical: Retaining Wall Stability: https://drtomsclassroom.com/free-civil-videos/

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Rolling Bridge - Good Design Never Gets Old

An 18th century bridge design could be taking on a new life through London architect Thomas Randall-Page. His rolling bridge design is a low tech and elegant solution that requires no motors or electricity. I could try to describe how it works, but this animation from a curbed.com article tells all. For a mechanical engineer this is about as cool as a bridge gets. - Dr. Tom

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Beyond Helpful

“I didn’t finish college. Having history as a CAD drafter for architecture firms, I got a job at a small civil engineering firm in Florida. I stayed there 4 years, learning and growing into a design engineer before moving to California where I remained in the field for another ten years. However; without a degree, I never gave much thought to getting licensed. When I finally realized I needed licensure to move forward, self study for the EIT was brutal. I made it though, but realized I couldn’t do the same for the PE. Dr. Tom’s was very helpful in covering the broad ranges of the Civil AM and PM portion, especially helpful in areas that I had no experience in and, of course, no recent school. The notebook organization and material were beyond helpful in the test, I knew where all the information was and wasn’t, there was no frantic searching. It didn’t help with all the questions on the PE, I doubt anything could, but I passed my first try. So did my coworker that also took the class. Thank you very much for your class!”
Justin Blackwell, PE, San Diego, CA

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Civil Engineers - Activate Your Superpowers. Save $100.

All you need to activate your super powers is a little help from Dr. Tom’s Classroom. Armed with the preparation, strategies and resources you get with DTC's Civil 20-Week PE Exam reviews, you can achieve the extraordinary. And now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam preparation with our 20-Week Reviews and save $100 with discount code, civilhero20W.

DTC’s targeted, structured review will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal 20-week exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you triumph over the PE Exam.

“After reviewing other available material and courses, I realized that Dr. Tom’s 20-week PE Review Course is the right choice for me. I passed the Civil PE exam on my first try and I attribute this to Dr. Tom’s Classroom for providing the best schedule, study material, and strategies and also introducing a great team of instructors. I would highly recommend his classes to anyone who is planning on taking their PE exam.”  – Dadbeh Dowlatshahi, P.E., Houston, Texas

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Changing Tides Changed Our Planet

With a few more weeks of summer left, you may be getting in that last trip to the beach. Everyone is familiar with the ebb and flow of the oceans as they are pulled by gravity affected by the position of the earth, sun, and moon. It’s good to know when high tide and low tide occur, so you can be sure to put your beach chair and umbrella in a dry spot!

There’s interesting new research on tides that shows that changes in the tides may have changed the history of the earth in our planet’s past. The research suggests that weak tides may have contributed to the formation of glaciers in the past, when the Earth’s land was concentrated in one supercontinent. And today, the larger tides lift the ice around the Antarctic and in Greenland and bring warm water which melts the ice on the underside.

Tides may even have played a role in evolution. When the highest tides, known as “spring tides”, occur, they often leave tidal pools disconnected from the ocean. Fish left in those pools may have eventually adapted to have fleshy limbs to help them get back to the ocean. Researchers have found that in bays with very high tidal responses, the fossil records reflect a large variety of transitional fish species. - Beth Sciaudone, Civil Water Resources & Environmental Instructor

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Flexible to Fit Your Schedule - Whatever It Is!

At DTC, we understand that you are a very busy person, and that finding time to prepare for the PE Exam is a big challenge. That’s why our courses are designed with maximum flexibility and effectiveness in mind - available 24/7 online, with short lessons, lots of practice, and detailed study plans. We give you the structure, you choose the schedule.



“Being nearly 20 years out of college, I was VERY intimidated to attempt the PE exam. I can say with absolute certainty that Dr. Tom’s review course was the key to my success.

I initially was planning to attend a live class offered by another company. However, sitting through 4 days in a row of 8 hour classes (for three weekends) did NOT appeal to me or fit my learning style. Tackling it at MY pace and on MY schedule (weekday lunch and evenings, weekends), focusing on solving examples, and shoring up trouble areas before progressing to new lessons was the only way I could effectively learn the material. Doing, not merely watching is the key for me.

The organized approach (study schedule, practice problem selection, and reference binder structure) allowed me to focus on learning the content for the exam instead of wasting time trying to figure those out on my own. I was doubtful that I could get back up to speed on so many of the subjects that I spent years studying in college, but it worked!” - Brent V., PE, Houston, Texas

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PE EXAM TIP - Benefits of an Online Course

Live class or online course? Which is the best way to prepare for the PE Exam? Having taught both, I understand the benefits and downsides of each.

The real-time interaction of a live course with the ability to ask questions during lectures can result in a very dynamic learning experience, but it has its limitations. Everyone must move through the course at the same pace, which can leave some folks behind and slow others down. You must be available when the course is offered, which restricts you to a very rigid schedule.

Online courses that are self-paced give you maximum flexibility in scheduling your review. Available 24/7, they allow you to work through your review when it’s most convenient for you, without having to worry about missing a class. You can move at your own pace, working quickly through the topics that you know well and taking more time on those you need to review more carefully. It’s also important that your online course provides a way for your to ask questions. That is an essential component of learning that needs to be available.

Given the level of understanding required to be fully prepared for the PE Exam, the best preparation requires a significant time commitment. I’m especially wary of “crash courses.” I have found that the online courses work best to give you a comprehensive, structured and flexible way to prepare for this exam. - Dr. Tom

“After two failed attempts, I believe that Dr. Tom's course was just what I needed to get on the right track. I found out about the course from the free YouTube videos, and I was sold on the presentation style; confident and up-beat, very unlike the other course DVDs I had purchased before. Having never taken an online course, I was initially very skeptical. After taking Dr. Tom's course, I realize the many benefits of an online course. There is great value in being able to pause, back up watch the material multiple times if you need to do so. Because of the course, I was able to solve a difficult vibration problem with damping; the type of problem I may not have attempted otherwise. I have recommended the course to a young engineer I know who is planning to take the PE in the near future and will continue to recommend the course.” - Bill, PE, Texas

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Morphing Origami Improves Structures

The use of origami-based patterns in a variety of applications have improved the outcomes for solar array deployments, sounds systems, and crash protection systems.

Glaucio Paulino and researchers from Georgia Tech have developed a new type of origami that can change from one pattern to another to optimize the structural benefits depending on the application or type of loading. According to Paulino, “This hybrid origami allows for reprogrammable mechanical properties and the ability to change those properties while the material is in service,”

These designs could have the potential to make structures lighter, stronger, and cheaper than previous designs. - Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Exactly What I Needed

“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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Stronger than a Speeding Bullet

The invention of bullet-proof vests did a great deal to make our police officers and military personnel safer, but even if a vest stops a bullet, there is still a change of internal injuries from the impact. I recently read an ASME article about a new material being developed that can stop a military grade .50 caliber bullet and also absorbs 75 percent of the energy of the impact.
This innovative metal foam material is being developed by a team led by Dr. Afsaneh Rabiei, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University. The material contains hollow spherical steel balls in a matrix of more steel. When sandwiched between a ceramic faceplate and an aluminum backplate, the composite weighs considerably less than the armor currently used by the military. “It has the strength, and resistance to heat, of metal, but the cushionability of Styrofoam”, says Dr. Rabiei.

It turns out that this material can also block neutrons and high energy radiation, and dissipate heat better than steel used as armor today. Commercializing its manufacture is now one of the big challenges facing the team. Another example of innovative engineering research with one design goal (saving lives) that could have applications in many other situations once it’s available. – Dr Tom 

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Mechanical Engineers! Time Is Running Out! Take the PE Exam Now!

The October 2019 Mechanical PE Exam is the very last chance you have to take the pencil-and-paper PE Exam. The three Mechanical PE Exams will covert to the year-round Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format starting in April 2020 (https://ncees.org/exams/cbt/). This change in the testing method for the PE Exam has huge consequences for anyone taking the exam.

Please read this article in which Dr. Tom has outlined the implications of the CBT exam. Here’s the bottom line up front – take the Pencil-and-Paper exam in October 2019, before it’s too late!

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Dr. Tom’s PE Civil Exam Strategy Starts with Choosing the Right Exam

Many of you may already know which PM Exam you will be taking, but I recommend that you view my Civil Exam Strategy – Part 1 video for the general information about the exam. I go over the exam format, and I discuss the importance of thoroughly reviewing all the areas covered in the AM exam and the review time required to obtain the 56 points needed to pass the exam. I also look at the pros and cons of choosing each of the Civil PM Exams. – Dr. Tom

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Jakarta Is Sinking - A Structural Nightmare

Jakarta, Indonesia is at risk of sinking into the sea, but not for the reason you may think. Though the capital city sits on the edge of the Java Sea and is susceptible to rising water levels, the government is warning development and aquifer mismanagement as the main sources of concern. High rise structures, built on top of the swampy land have been sinking due to the inability of the soil to support the heavy loads.

Additionally, despite having 13 rivers through the city, residents tend to draw drinking water from the ground because of heavy pollution leading to further compression of the soil. The government has warned that at the current rate of sinking, 95% of Jakarta could be underwater by 2050 and are moving ahead with plans to build a sea wall. - Shannon Warchol, DTC Civil Structural Instructor

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Thumbs Up for the Fast Track!

“I thought the Fast Track Review Course was excellent. It provided the structure, practice, and review that I needed 25 years after receiving my mechanical engineering degree. I loved Dr. Tom's teaching - his style & strategy tips made the learning process very enjoyable. The class format and hand-outs were also excellent.  I  would strongly recommend it to others taking the ME PE exam.”
- Joel Lemke, PE, Emerson, Chanhassen, MN

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Will Blue Become the New Green?

One of the watch words of the 21st Century is "Green Energy.” Scientists at Stanford University are working on what they are calling "Blue Energy.” The idea was first proposed by British Engineer R E Pattle in the journal Nature in 1954.

The process involves mixing fresh water with seawater. Salt is chemically a combination of sodium and chlorine and, when brought into solution, disassociate into their respective positive and negative ions. A steady current can be generated with appropriate electrodes - one made of Prussian Blue (which is used as a pigment for paints and in medicine and is the basis of the term "Blue Energy”) and the other a conducting polymer like polypyrrole (which is already found in batteries and other devices).

A prototype tested at a wastewater plant in San Francisco Bay maintained a 97% effectiveness in capturing energy to flush out effluent from the plant. Dr. Kristian Dubrawski, a civil and environmental engineer at Stanford said that "Blue energy is an immense and untapped source of renewable energy." One cubic meter of freshwater that mixes with seawater produces 0.65 kW-hr of energy, enough to power a US house for half an hour. The mind staggers at the potential of this source of energy.

One of my hobbies is water coloring and my favorite color just happens to be Prussian Blue. If "Blue Energy" becomes as successful as it appears to be heading, then I might need to ration my Prussian Blue. In fact, maybe I need to stock up now. - Dr. Tom

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The Clock Is Ticking – Time to Jump on the Fast Track

If you’re going to take the October 2019 PE Exam, it’s time to jump into your preparation with DTC’s Fast Track Review. If you start now, you will have 10 weeks to get through the course and 3 weeks for your final review. And trust us, you’re going to need it. Don’t wait another minute. SIGN UP and start your review today!



“Dr. Tom's Fast Track Review has an aggressive schedule, but I can’t argue with the results. I worked hard (30-40 hours a week) to "knock off the rust" my skills had collected over the years and get caught up. Being nearly 20 years out of college, I was VERY intimidated to attempt the PE exam. I can say with absolute certainty that Dr. Tom’s review course was the key to my success. The organized approach (study schedule, practice problem selection, and reference binder structure) allowed me to focus on learning the content for the exam instead of wasting time trying to figure those out on my own and just studying the MERM. I was doubtful that I could get back up to speed on so many of the subjects that I spent years studying in college, but it worked!”
- Brent V., PE, Houston, Texas

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Talk About an Accelerated Schedule for Concrete Construction!

Check out this cool time lapse video in which Dutch builders put a tunnel under a highway in 48 hours. Normal cast-in-place concrete construction would have taken weeks/months to construct. – Jason Savage, DTC Construction Instructor

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Gave Me a Lot of Self-confidence.

“The most difficult part of preparing for the Civil PE Exam was knowing the precise scope of the morning exam subjects and identifying important concepts. In that respect, the extent of each subject presented in the Dr. Toms class, important conceptual explanations, examples that clearly understand the concepts, and especially the various challenges gave me a lot of self-confidence. Again, I would like to thank the Dr. Tom’s Classroom team for helping me prepare for the exam.”
- Nam Young Do, PE, Lotte E&C, South Korea

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11 Women Engineers Who Helped Launch Apollo 11

My wife and I watched a special CBS program honoring the 50 year anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission. We both agreed that what made this program so interesting, beyond seeing the wealth of film from the CBS archives and the commentary of the mission by Walter Cronkite, was the inclusion of excerpts of an interview with Neil Armstrong by Ed Bradley in 2005. We learned a great many things we had not known before about the mission.

Neil Armstrong became one of the most famous people of the 20th Century, however in the interview, he gave credit for the success of the mission to the thousands of extraordinarily talented people behind the scenes. So it cannot be a coincidence that an article in the latest ASME SmartBrief caught my eye. It is about 11 of those people Neil spoke of, all women. I invite you to read about these remarkable women, who I am sure would agree with Neil that the success of Apollo 11, and missions before and after, is due to extraordinarily talented men and women. - Dr. Tom

Mechanical Engineers - Change Is Coming!

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- South Carolina PE

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Rip Currents - Beware and Be Safe

As summer gets into full swing and folks head out to the country’s beaches, it’s always a good time to remind everyone to keep a look out for rip currents. These currents are formed by the interaction of waves and the ocean bottom, and create a current which flows quickly away from the beach. So far this year, 28 swimmers have drowned as a result of rip currents, which are by far the greatest cause of death in the surf zones at U.S. beaches, according to the National Weather Service.

When you go to the beach, it’s important to know how to spot and survive being caught in a rip current. Be on the lookout for these currents, which can be spotted in areas where waves aren’t breaking or foam is being carried offshore. And if you are caught in a rip current, “Flip, Float, and Follow” – Flip onto your back, Float to keep your head above water, calm down, and conserve energy, and Follow the safest path to safety, swim parallel to the shore or wave to a lifeguard and keep floating.

It’s always a good idea to ask the lifeguards at the beach what conditions are like before you swim. You can also check the National Weather Service’s Beach and Rip Current Forecasts. Let’s all be safe at the beach this summer! - Beth Sciaudone, DTC Civil Water Resources & Environmental Instructor

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A Salute to the Engineers of United States Military

On Independence Day, everyone here at Dr. Tom’s Classroom would like to pay tribute to the many engineers who serve in the United States military. We appreciate their dedication and contribution to preserving our freedom. Their work is an inspiration to us all.

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