FREE VIDEO OF THE MONTH - Dr. Tom’s Mechanical PE Exam Strategy - Part 1

Choosing the right Mechanical PE Exam to take is a critical step for any mechanical engineer planning to take the exam. For some folks, the answer is clear cut, but for lots of folks it’s not. Dr. Tom has carefully reviewed the specifications and references required for each Mechanical PE Exam, and has laid out his the criteria for choosing each of the three Mechanical exams: Thermal & Fluids Systems, Machine Design & Materials, and HVAC & Refrigeration. Before you make this all-important decision, you should take a look at his recommendations in Dr. Tom's Mechanical Exam Strategy - Part 1.

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Ultrasonic Testing of Jet Engine Fan Blades

Engineering is defined by improvements to processes based on empirical data. The recent aircraft engine failure from a broken blade - which resulted in debris, cabin decompression, and a fatal injury to a passenger - has also resulted in new rules from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve fan blade inspections. The engine was last overhauled 10,712 engine cycles before the failure, but inspection rules required inspections after 30,000 takeoffs and landings. The new requirements include removing each of the 24 titanium fan blades from each engine to perform a visual inspection. Following the visual inspection, the blades will be covered with glycerin that will transmit the sound from an ultrasound probe. Any irregularities in the fan blade, such as microscopic cracks, will be displayed as a peak in amplitude of the signal that registers on the handheld device. - Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

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FEATURED TESTIMONIALS - I Passed!

The results of the April 2018 Exam are starting to come in, and we love to hear those two words – I Passed!

“I finally did it!  I passed the PE exam!!  I want to thank you for your advice and support. I couldn’t have passed without your help and encouragement.  Dr. Tom’s structured approach and detailed folder outline really helped me learn the information.”
- Eric C., PE, Houston, TX

“I passed!! The value in this course is the structure it gives you to organize yourself, get through the important material, ignore the fluff, and have the confidence to know that if you do the work you will pass. A bonus is that, because you actually provided lessons and explanations, I'm seeing a huge shift in my understanding and abilities at work. I didn't just pass the test... I learned a ton! Thank you so much for your help!”
- Sarah Dorminy, PE, CH2M Hill, Truckee, CA

“I am happy to say that I passed the MDM test! Your course was definitely helpful when it came to figuring out what to focus on, what to not worry about, and strategies to help in time management during the test (the hardest part for me). Overall, the course was great. I can't see myself passing without the guidance of the class. Thank You.”
- Gabe W, PE, Mukilteo, WA

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It’s an Axe! It’s a Lever! It’s Leveraxe!

The June 2018 issue of the ASME magazine had a most informative article on the state of gas turbines and its multi-billion dollar industry with very nice cutaways of some of the most advanced gas turbines ever conceived, one with an inlet fan diameter of 11 feet!

But what really caught my attention in that issue was a picture on the last page, inside the back cover, of what could be the most advanced axe ever conceived. It is called the Leveraxe, manufactured by the company of the same name. It's a great article, but it is very difficult to understand how it works from the nice photo and the description of what it tries to do. However, watch a less than a minute of a slow motion video on the Leveraxe website, and all is revealed! It is amazing, and even if you never split wood, you know you have got to have one. About $70, handle and the ingenious axe design. And it is a beautiful shade of "red." Ironic since it virtually eliminates the danger of spilling your own red blood splitting wood the traditional way. Believe me, you gotta see this axe in action. - 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. Our plan for your success is based on a highly structured review that step by step helps you develop the skills and resources you need to pass the PE exam. We’ve taken the guesswork out of what to study and what not to study. Follow the plan, do the work, and you’ll be a PE!




“I passed the ME exam and thank you so much!  I am 100% confident saying that without your course, I wouldn't have succeeded with a first-time go. With my work and home life demands, I needed a prep course that told me how, what, and when to study. DTC was perfect in that regard. I walked into my study sessions daily not having to worry about what needed to be accomplished. As a result, I was able to identify all of the test problems, what PRNs to use, and what pass-through to answer them in. I was nervous at first about taking DTC because of all the other more expensive courses, thinking the more expensive the better, but I was obviously wrong.  Keep doing great things for future candidates!”
- CPT Chandler Alford, PE, United States Army, Seattle, WA

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FEATURED PE EXAM PREP TIP – Have Only One Way to Work a Problem

As you prepare for the PE Exam, you will find many sources of exam-type problems (MERM, CERM, NCEES Practice Exams, etc).  This wealth of information has a great many benefits. However, having a number of references has a troublesome downside. For a class of problems, you will see several solution approaches. You may have even thought of additional, and quite valid, approaches on your own. All you need is one right way to work a problem, but which one to use? You don’t want to make this decision during the exam; that can use up valuable time. You need to make that decision now while you are preparing, and use that same solution consistently throughout your review.

You are free to choose any solution you like, but I would like to make a strong argument for using the a solution approach that follows a logical order and is applicable across multiple problems. Easier to remember and less to learn that way. In my review courses, that’s what I’ve done – I have worked to select the most direct and teachable solution approach for a class of problems, using an approach for each class of problems that is consistent and repeatable, and from the feedback I have received from past participants is that it really does pay off for them on the exam.
- Dr. Tom

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Rocking the Eco-Friendly Concrete Challenge

It has long been a common classroom challenge for civil engineering students to design a more eco-friendly concrete that withstands the strength requirements of standard concrete. A team from the University of Exeter in Britain seems to have found a solution that not only reduces CO2 emissions but increases the strength.

Through the use of Graphene, the concrete has a significantly reduced permeability and a nearly 150% increase in compressive strength. This would provide a longer lifespan for structures made with the concrete. - Shannon Warchol, DTC Civil Structural Instructor

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Transportation PE Exam Success!

“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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Not Much Engineers Can Do About Volcanoes

The Hawaiian Kilauea Volcano recently demonstrated the Earth's massive seismic energy when it erupted on Big Island. While volcanoes don't seem like a problem that most of us have to worry about, the folks living in Leilani Estates might be questioning if they made the most prudent choice with their real estate investment given that fissures are opening up in the streets with lava flows overtaking abandoned vehicles.

Regular earthquakes have hit Big Island since the eruption of the Kilaueau Volcano began, with a magnitude as great as 7.1, causing even further risk to life and exacerbating property damage from the lava flows.

Movement of tectonic plates can cause a release of pressure in the earth's crust, which releases magma to the Earth's surface, creating lava flows. In areas of active volcanoes, this activity takes place regularly, and has taken place multiple times in recent geologic history. The release of lava at the ground surface builds up over time to form volcanoes like the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.

Unfortunately, the massive energy released from volcanoes isn't something that can be prevented even with modern engineering practices. The best plan is to have emergency action plans in place to warn the public in the event of impending and ongoing volcanic explosions so they stand the best chance of evacuating the areas around volcanoes before they are impacted from the
lava flows, flying debris, or toxic sulfur gas.  - Mike Batten, DTC Civil Geotechnical Instructor

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You Can Be a Super Hero!

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 our 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.



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 (more on why Dr. Tom's 20-Week Review Method is critical to your success).

Dr. Tom has also honed his review into a targeted, structured review that will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you activate your super powers and triumph over the PE Exam.

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FREE VIDEO OF THE MONTH - Dr. Tom’s Civil PE Exam Strategy - Part 1

Choosing the right Civil PE Exam to take is a critical step for any civil engineer planning to take the exam. For some folks, the answer is clear cut, but for lots of folks it’s not. Dr. Tom has carefully reviewed the specifications and references required for each Civil PE Exam, and has laid out his the criteria for choosing each of the five Civil exams: Construction, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, and Water Resources & Environmental. Before you make this all-important decision, you should take a look at his recommendations in Dr. Tom’s Civil PE Exam Strategy - Part 1. Some of them might surprise you!

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The Art of Thermodynamics - Literally

A recent ASME Article reinforced ideas I have had about the connection between creativity and engineering. The article talks about Dr. Diana Bairaktarova, a professor at Virginia Tech, has recently published a paper, "Thermodynamics in High Rhythms and Rhymes: Creative Ways of Knowing in Engineering." Growing up in Bulgaria, her first love was sketching, however there was no art school in the area where she lived. So she chose mechanical engineering as a way to draw.

In a recent Thermodynamics class at Virginia Tech, she had the students do a special project where they were to create something involving a thermodynamic principle using an artistic medium such as a picture, poem, song, movie, comic strip, anything of their choosing. Though many of the students were clearly out of their comfort zone, the data on which her paper is based showed that the students did better in the area that they did their creative project.

Dr. Bairaktarova also discovered that the assignment created an environment in the classroom of "trust and risk taking that is not always the case in an engineering class." There is a national movement in education to use less "lecture-based" learning and incorporate more creative aspects. This is certainly a move in that direction. One of the classic books on how to draw is "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain." I can see someday in the near future a textbook titled, "Thermodynamics on the Right Side of the Brain." It might very well become a best seller for its innovative approach to learning. - Dr. Tom

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FEATURED TESTIMONIAL - Study Anytime, Anywhere

“I’m 10 years out of school with 3 kids under 3 and a full time job in project management. DTC gave me a plan, helped me prioritize the key areas of study, not get bogged down into too much subject-matter detail, and spend my time effectively. I also liked the flexibility of video on demand. Most of my studying was done late at night. The PRN’s were most helpful. I think the structured approach of developing them, organizing them, ensuring you have material for everything was key to success. Due to all the work put in in developing them, I did not end up using them much during the exam because I knew most of the material off-hand. That being the key to passing. Dr Tom’s approach and his ability to explain things very clear and concise was a huuuuge help! Dr. Tom's teaching is humorous and relatable. I loved how Dr Tom would explain the theory, and then relate it to why/how it’s actually useful…. So helpful when learning. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Tom’s 20-Week Review to others preparing for the ME PE Exam. It’s priced right, and has great content.”
- Lance Way, PE, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Texas

 

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Taking the Long View

A comprehensive risk assessment framework can be useful to make civil engineering infrastructure cheaper, safer, and more resilient to forces and loads. In an example of bridge failure analysis, researchers considered various failure modes to paint a more complete picture of the risk level of the structure. - Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

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Activate Your Super Powers!

Preparing for the PE Exam requires an heroic effort, but now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam preparation with Dr. Tom's Classroom ‘s 20-Week Reviews.

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 (more on why Dr. Tom's 20-Week Review Method is critical to your success).

Dr. Tom has also honed his review into a targeted, structured review that will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you activate your super powers and triumph over the PE Exam.

Taking the October 2018 Exam?

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Use Discount Code: hero25B

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineer

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