130-Introduction to GIS and GPS for Engineers and Surveyors - Part 1
4 $9.95 This is our Featured Course of the week.
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course provides an overview of Geographical Information Science and Systems (GIS) as it pertains to the engineer and surveyor. The engineering incorporates the science into everything from utility mapping to plume modeling to tackling water quality issues within multiple heterogeneous watersheds. An increase in model visualizations, accuracies, and overall productivities are the result of incorporating GIS into engineering applications. The United States Global Positioning System (GPS) is used increasingly by professional surveyors, and is a means of collecting data for use within a GIS. This course is meant to familiarize engineers and surveyors with the terminology and industry lingo used by GIS Professionals such that those composing responses to Requests for Qualifications or Proposals can better understand the scope of GIS or GPS services they need, or be asked to provide, and whether they have the in-house talent to perform such services. A glossary of common terms used in this field is provided at the end of the course.
In addition to an introduction to Geographical Information Science and its terminology, the functions of a GIS will be outlined. Real-world engineering applications using GIS will be discussed. Other topics of importance include: referencing data to a coordinate system, working with scales and resolutions, and recognizing GIS data and metadata formats. GIS data collection means, including the use of GPS and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) will be introduced. GPS technology, including data correction systems and accuracies as compared to traditional surveying, will also be discussed. The course also contains a short overview of the more popular GIS and GPS software and hardware. This is not a "how-to" course on making maps or analyzing data. Instead, it is meant to 1) be a practical introduction to geospatial concepts for those deciding whether to integrate the skills into their career, 2) provide a knowledge base for purchasing software or hardware needed to get started, and 3) entertain those who simply desire a basic conversational language and understanding of the world of GIS and GPS.
215-GIS - Beyond the Basics: Web Maps and File Sharing Services - Part 2
7 $47.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course discusses online resources and data sharing techniques for engineers using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It is for those wanting to increase their technical skills or stay competitive in a world with an ever increasing move towards Cloud-based computing and technology, all while earning continuing education credits. The course is written in a (somewhat) technical nature for the engineer. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to connect to various GIS servers, how to use online services, and finally, how to prepare maps and data for sharing either among peers, or as a type of service to the public. This course demonstrates the benefits of accessing online web map services through an example tailored for engineers that allows them to follow along using their own computers.
To this end, this course offers background information and explanations for why a user would follow the steps prescribed. It explores the benefits as well as challenges in using online mapping services. The reader is introduced to ESRI's ArcGIS for Server and ArcGIS Online. A glossary of terms relevant to this course is provided for infrequent users of ArcGIS who may need a refresher or an explanation of the new terms presented herein. In addition, the author provides user-friendly tips for how to manipulate GIS services, and directs the reader to other online help options. Sidebar information provides additional insight into the background and current uses of GIS services, as well as server limitations. The course was written with the intent that it could be used as a reference guide for office and field engineers, project managers, and others needing access to these services. Hopefully, it is as interesting to the reader as it is informative. The reader does not need an ArcGIS license for this course, but is encouraged to preview the course introduction for assumptions made with regards to its intended level of audience.
257- A Case Study in Engineering Ethics: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to educate or remind licensees of the ethical expectations required of licensed engineers and surveyors. A case study on the Deep Water Horizon oil rig explosion will focus on the questionable as well as obvious ethical violations enacted by engineers and businessmen that have led to continuing litigation for an oil company. The course will decipher between ethical violations, and civil or criminal violations. The two can be mutually exclusive. This course will also recite established laws and rules related to ethics, as they relate to both engineers and surveyors. It will also highlight the positions taken and changes made by engineering societies and councils as a result of this disaster.
This course is not based upon investigative reporting, nor was it intended to be. It is a compilation of news from several reports, studies, and articles researched and collected by this author over the years. An attempt was made to compile authoritative and unbiased news from a wide variety of sources. Questions on ethical decisions were raised, but no one is judged except by a court of law. A partial list of resources are referenced for the reader’s convenience at the end of the course.
This course satisfies one
hour of the ethics training requirement for license renewal for the following state
engineering boards:
|
| Delaware |
3-6 hours required |
| District of Columbia |
1-hour required |
| Florida |
1-hour required |
Indiana
|
1-hour required
|
Iowa
|
2-hours required
|
Louisiana
|
2-hours required
|
Maryland
|
1-hour required
|
Minnesota
|
2-hour required
|
Mississippi
|
1-hour required
|
New Jersey
|
2-hours required
|
New Mexico
|
2-hours required
|
New York
|
1-hour required
|
Ohio
|
2-hours required (rules or ethics)
|
Texas
|
1-hour required
|
Wisconsin
|
2-hours required
|
369-What Every Engineer Should Know About Soils
2 $17.95
New Course
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for engineers, architects, and building officials to help them understand the materials called upon to support their projects.
Course Description:
This course is a good
introductory course for engineers who wish to review the basic principles of
soil mechanics. It is intended to
acquaint designers and regulators with the various hazards presented by the
earth on which they plan to build. It
presents an introduction to:
o
Soil Compression
o
Soil Classification
o
Expansive Soils
o
Collapsing Soils
o
Soil Strength
o
Frost Heave
o
Pore Pressure
o
Capillary Rise
o
Subterranean Erosion
o
Soil Permeability
o
Soil Structure
o
Soil Density
o
Soil Maximum Density
o
Percent Saturation
By successfully completing
this course, you should be familiar with the various challenges to be faced
when melding your projects with Mother Earth.
After completing the next
course, What Every Engineer Should Know About Earthwork, you should be
able to write concise specifications for structural fills that are safe and
economical.
351 - Indiana Statutes and Rules: Building Codes
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for Indiana professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering and meeting the Indiana training requirement for Statutes and Rules.
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the laws and regulations that create, implement, and enforce Indiana's 2014 Building Code. We all freely accept that most buildings in Indiana must comply with the Indiana Building Code. This course explores whywe follow the Indiana Building Code as well as who actually writes it and who has the authority to change it. In an easy to understand style, the course explains the differences between statutes, regulations, and codes, and explores the legal foundation and structure of the Indiana Building Code and answers all of these questions and more. Upon completion of this course, you will understand which two branches of the Indiana state government work together to create the system of statutes and regulations that operates as the 2014 Indiana Building Code.
This course meets the Indiana Board of Engineers requirement for one-hour of Indiana Statutes and Rules training. The course is also accepted for general credit in all states except New York, Ohio and New Mexico.
203-What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part A - Statics Fundamentals
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Written in an easy to understand style, the course What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures Part A — Statics Fundamentals focuses on presenting simplified methods of calculations, and the presentation of intuitive methods for the understanding and solving of basic statics problems. Statics is fundamental to the field of engineering mechanics — including structural analysis and design. Included among the many topics covered are loads and forces on members; how to deal with uniformly varying distributed loads; solving equilibrium equations using an intuitive and simple method where up equals down and left equals right; and simplifying assumptions to determine the forces necessary to keep an extension ladder from sliding down a wall. Many example problems are worked with simple and easy to understand diagrams. Newton's three laws of motion are presented and reduced to two for use in statics.
This course is not a design course. However the methods and techniques presented can be used to determine the forces in many common structures including storage shelves in the garage, the support forces of an NFL player's bench, and drifting snow loads on a porch roof.
Anyone who has taken high school trig and algebra can complete this course.
What Every Engineer should Know About Structures Part B — Statics Applications, the second in a series, continues on with a look at how the fundamentals are applied to solving real-life statics problems. Included are sections on reactions; friction; forces in truss members; forces in cables used to support traffic lights hanging over intersections; and the huge mechanical advantages gained by using pulleys and sheaves.
Optional Supplemental Material
Basic Trigonometry, Significant Figures, and Rounding — A Quick Review is a zero credit course intended for those who might find themselves a bit rusty and would like a quick refresher. The information in the course is useful for application to the solution of structural problems especially in the fields of statics and strength of materials.
This course is free and can be downloaded here.
The trigonometry review includes demonstrating - through the use of several example problems — the use of the basic trigonometric functions including: the sine, cosine and tangent and their inverse; the Pythagorean Theorem; the Sum of the Angles; the Law of Sines; and the Law of Cosines. The significant figures and rounding review includes a discussion of the precision and validity of an answer, along with rules and guidelines for using the appropriate number of significant figures, and for rounding answers appropriately.
207-What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part B - Statics Applications
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Written in an easy to understand style, the course What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures Part B — Statics Applications is a logical extension of the previous course in the series, What Every Engineer should Know About Structures Part A — Statics Fundamentals.
Where the first course in the series, "Part A — Statics Fundamentals", presented the fundamental principles of statics including nomenclature, definitions, Newton's Laws, and procedural methods, this course, "Part B — Statics Applications", applies the principles learned to real-life problems.
The course is divided into five sections. Included are sections on calculating reactions for beams, trusses, and frames; determining forces in truss members; calculating the different forces is a single cable supporting point and distributed loads; presenting the basics of friction; and understanding the principles of sheaves and pulleys.
Statics is fundamental to the field of engineering mechanics — including structural analysis and design. Included among the many topics covered are discussions of the uncertainties of design loads, why utility linemen are careful to sight along a line when making a final hook-up, and why simplifications in stating a statics problem is an acceptable and common practice. Many example problems are worked with simple and easy to understand diagrams and calculations.
This course is not a design course. However the methods and techniques presented can be used to determine the forces in many common structures including metal building frames, traffic light suspension cables, and multi-line hoisting systems, as well as to determine the minimum lean angle of an extension ladder as limited by friction.
Anyone who has completed the first course in this series can complete this course.
Basic Trigonometry, Significant Figures, and Rounding — A Quick Review is a zero credit course intended for those who might find themselves a bit rusty and would like a quick refresher. The information in the course is useful for application to the solution of structural problems especially in the fields of statics and strength of materials.
This course is free and can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
/authors/123Glon/TRIG.pdf
The trigonometry review includes demonstrating - through the use of several example problems — the use of the basic trigonometric functions including: the sine, cosine and tangent and their inverse; the Pythagorean Theorem; the Sum of the Angles; the Law of Sines; and the Law of Cosines. The significant figures and rounding review includes a discussion of the precision and validity of an answer, along with rules and guidelines for using the appropriate number of significant figures, and for rounding answers appropriately.
261-What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part C - Axial Strength of Materials
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Written in an easy to understand style, the course What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part C – Axial Strength of Materials is the third course in the series of courses in the
field of study called engineering mechanics. This course focuses on presenting simplified methods of calculations, and the presentation of intuitive methods for the understanding and solving of basic problems. The
course contains 18 solved example problems to illustrate the principles discussed.
This Course Includes:
- stress and strain in a member, and their relationship, including material properties such as Hooke's Law and modulus of elasticity;
- axial loads in tension and compression, including deformation;
- shear stresses, including shear modulus of elasticity, single and double shear, and punching shear;
- design stresses and factors of safety;
- temperature deformation and thermal stresses, and;
- cross sectional properties of structural members including determining the centroid of a cross section.
The first two courses in the series, called Statics, focused on solving problems related to the exterior (or externally) applied loads on a stationary body - a body at rest. It is expected that
you have a good background in the study of Statics. If you are not familiar with statics, consider taking the two SunCam courses titled What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures Part A – Statics
Fundamentals and What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures Part B – Statics Applications.
Significant Figures, Rounding, and the Solution of a Statics Problem – A Quick Review is a zero credit course intended for those who might find themselves a bit rusty and would like a quick refresher.
The information in the course is useful for application to the solution of structural problems especially in the fields of statics and strength of materials. This course is free and can be downloaded at: Statistics PDF.
274-What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part D - Bending Strength Of Materials
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Written in an easy to understand style, the course What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part D - Bending Strength of Materials is the
fourth course in the series of courses in the field of study called engineering mechanics. This course focuses on presenting intuitive methods for the understanding of basic principles of forces
and stresses in beams. And solutions to basic problems with simplified methods of calculations. The course contains 19 solved example problems and additional drawings to illustrate the principles discussed.
Part D Includes:
- Cross sectional properties of structural members including defining and determining the Moment of Inertia and Section Modulus of a cross section.
- Torsional stresses and deformations of rods and shafts.
- Shear and bending moment diagrams of beams.
- Bending stresses in loaded beams.
- Shear stresses in loaded beams.
The first two courses in the series, titled What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part A – Statics Fundamentals and What Every Engineer
Should Know About Structures - Part B – Statics Applications focused on solving problems related to the exterior (or externally) applied loads on a stationary body - a body at rest. The third course in the series,
titled What Every Engineer Should Know About Structures - Part C – Axial Strength of Materials, focuses on what happens inside a structural member, including stresses
and strains, axial deformation, factors of safety, thermal deformations, and properties of cross sectional areas.
It is expected that you have a good background in the material covered in the three previous courses. If you do not, consider taking the three SunCam courses for Part A, Part B, and Part C.
Loads, Supports, and Assumptions – A Quick Review is a zero credit course intended for those who might find themselves a bit rusty and would like a quick
refresher. The information in the course is useful for application to the solution of structural problems especially in the fields of statics and strength of materials. This quick review course is free and can be downloaded:
Supports PDF.
352-Fundamentals of Masonry Part A
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The science of masonry construction is extensive, thorough, and is the foundation of the profession. But there is an artistic component bounded only by the imagination of the designer and the skilled mason.
Masonry construction has been practiced for thousands of years beginning with the ancient Greeks and the Romans. The "language" of the craft has been developed over this time. Today we use words that clearly identify pieces and parts of the industry that can bewilder or confound those unfamiliar with them – words such as wythe, shiner, and grapevine.
Masonry construction has exploded during the last century and a half due in large part to advances in manufacturing technology. For example, in the early years of manufacturing, each concrete block was made by hand – about 10 blocks per hour per man. Today, with modern machinery, production can be as high as 2,000 blocks per hour. And, each year around 4-billion concrete
blocks are manufactured – enough to build about 3.5 billion square feet of wall. Up until about 150 years ago, clay bricks were made individually and by hand. Today, with modern machinery and kilns, about 50-billion clay bricks are manufactured each year – enough to build about 7.5 billion square feet of wall.
This two course series was created to provide fundamental knowledge about masonry construction for the engineer, contractor, architect, and anyone else who is interested in having a basic understanding of the topic.
286-Engineering Methods in Microsoft Excel - Part 1: Linear Algebra
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
In their fields of specialty, Engineers are constantly challenged with solving a wide range of complex analytical and computational problems. These problems involve analysis methodologies and the management of
data. The application of computers enables repetitive, time-consuming and often tedious calculations to be conducted rapidly, efficiently,
and less prone to errors. The application of computer tools also enables the results and outputs of such engineering analyses to be readily transferred and incorporated into reports and other engineering
documents. An even greater advantage—in terms of productivity and efficiency—is realized when these calculations and outputs are replicated across numerous projects. Competence in computer skills
predisposes engineers to pursue and develop more creative and innovative solutions to problems.
Microsoft Excel is an electronic spreadsheet program developed by the Microsoft company, and is part of
the software products. A spreadsheet is a grid that organizes data and calculations into columns and rows. The intersection of a column and a row is called a cell. An
electronic spreadsheet enables users to store, organize, manipulate, and analyze data in the cells of the spreadsheet. As of this publication, the software is into the 2016 release.
Microsoft Excel is widely and increasingly being used as a tool to assist engineers in conducting and replicating intricate calculations and analysis, designing complex
systems, and managing large data sets. This course presents a selection of engineering analysis topics and how to formulate, implement and solve them in Microsoft Excel.
This course presents fundamental principles and engineering applications of problems in linear algebra, and demonstrates the Excel tools, methods, and strategies that can be used to formulate and solve them.
Upon completion of this course, participants will have gained insight into applying Excel tools, methods, and strategies in analyzing, formulating and implementing a
variety of engineering related problems, as well as managing large sets of complex data. Participants will also be able to identify professional situations where the application of innovative
Excel techniques will be of great benefit and advantage, and will enable practitioners to significantly improve their productivity, efficiency, and the quality of their work product.
287-Engineering Methods in Microsoft Excel - Part 2: Applied Optimization
5 $35.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is part of a series on engineering methods in Microsoft Excel tailored to practicing engineers. This course series presents Microsoft Excel
tools that can be used for a wide range of engineering analyses and data management. This course covers an introduction to applied optimization problems. This course presents a review of the fundamental principles
followed by a real-life example encountered by a practicing engineer. The real-life examples are then formulated and implemented in Microsoft Excel and worked using
the various Excel tools, spreadsheet techniques, and built-in functions. Examples from various engineering fields are used to demonstrate the concepts and methods
learned throughout this course. Upon completion of this course, practitioners will be able to apply the methods learned to a variety of engineering problems, and also to identify situations in their fields
of specialty where the innovative application of these tools and methods will be advantageous to their output and to their work product.
288-Engineering Methods in Microsoft Excel - Part 3: Data Analysis
7 $47.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is part of a series on engineering methods in Microsoft Excel tailored to practicing engineers. The course series presents Microsoft Excel tools that can be used for a wide range of engineering analyses and data management. This course covers introductory topics on engineering data analyses. Each topic includes a review of the fundamental principles followed by a real-life example encountered by a practicing engineer. The real-life examples are then formulated and implemented in Microsoft Excel and worked using the various Excel tools, spreadsheet techniques, and built-in functions. Examples from various engineering fields are used to demonstrate the concepts and methods learned throughout this course.
Upon completion of this course, practitioners will be able to apply the methods learned to a variety of engineering problems, and also to identify situations in their fields of specialty where the innovative application of these tools and methods will be advantageous to their output and to their work product.
115-Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures - Part 1
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall course provides an introductory lesson addressing the basics of MSE wall design. The course, which has been separated into three parts, covers the following topics:
- Part 1 - History of MSE Structures (ancient and modern).
- Part 1 - Industry Design Methods and Programs.
- Part 1 - Segmental Block and Reinforcement Products.
- Part 2 - Failure Modes.
- Part 2 - Civil Design Considerations.
- Part 2 - Geotechnical Engineering Considerations and Soils Testing.
- Part 2 - Why Do MSE Walls Fail?
- Part 3 - Detailed hand calculation.
The course is geared toward engineers who practice in the civil, geotechnical, surveying and structural disciplines.
116-Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures - Part 2
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall course provides an introductory lesson addressing the basics of MSE wall design. The course, which has been separated into three parts, covers the following topics:
- Part 1 - History or MSE Structures (ancient and modern).
- Part 1 - Industry Design Methods and Programs.
- Part 1 - Segmental Block and Reinforcement Products.
- Part 2 - Failure Modes.
- Part 2 - Civil Design Considerations.
- Part 2 - Geotechnical Engineering Considerations and Soils Testing.
- Part 2 - Why Do MSE Walls Fail?
- Part 3 - Detailed hand calculation.
The course is geared toward engineers who practice in the civil, geotechnical, surveying and structural disciplines.
117-Mechanically Stabilized Earth Structures - Part 3
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall course provides an introductory lesson addressing the basics of MSE wall design. The course, which has been separated into three parts, covers the following topics:
- Part 1 - History or MSE Structures (ancient and modern).
- Part 1 - Industry Design Methods and Programs.
- Part 1 - Segmental Block and Reinforcement Products.
- Part 2 - Failure Modes.
- Part 2 - Civil Design Considerations.
- Part 2 - Geotechnical Engineering Considerations and Soils Testing.
- Part 2 - Why Do MSE Walls Fail?
- Part 3 - Detailed hand calculation.
The course is geared toward engineers who practice in the civil, geotechnical, surveying and structural disciplines.
119-Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient Estimation
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Convection heat transfer takes place whenever a fluid is in contact with a solid surface that is at a different temperature than the fluid. This course gives background on Newton's law of cooling, a brief description of the difference between natural convection and forced convection, a discussion of the dimensionless numbers used in convection heat transfer correlations, and an introduction to some of the typical configurations of interest for convection heat transfer. Then the rest of the course is devoted to presentation of correlations and example calculations for estimating natural convection and forced convection heat transfer coefficients. A spreadsheet that will assist in making these calculations for either turbulent or laminar pipe flow is included with the course.
The overall objective of this course is to prepare those completing the course to calculate heat transfer coefficients for a variety of physical configurations of forced convection and natural convection. A more detailed list of learning objectives is included in the course document.
122-Solar Basics - Radiation Data Online
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Whether you are planning/designing a photovoltaic solar power system, a passive solar heating system or solar collectors for a solar thermal system to provide space heat or hot water, you could use data on the average rate of solar radiation to be expected at your project location each month. In fact, such information is readily available from online sources for locations in the United States and around the world. This course will provide information about three sources of such data. Two of the sources are from the Renewable Resource Data Center (RREDC), which is a unit of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The other source is a NASA Langley Distributed Active Archive (DAAC) Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy Data Set. Discussion of each of these sources will include how to access them, what type of data is available at each, and how to interpret that data.
This course is intended for mechanical, electrical, chemical and energy engineers, and architects. It will also be of interest to any engineers wanting to learn more about the renewable energy field and to professional surveyors who are responsible for the accurate orientation and layout of solar collection devices.
The overall objective of this course is to prepare those completing the course to access the three online sources of solar radiation data that are presented and discussed in the course. A more detailed list of learning objectives is included in the course document.
126-Open Channel Flow Measurement - Weirs and Flumes
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Measuring the flow rate of water in an open channel typically involves some type of obstruction in the path of flow. The two major categories of open channel flow measurement devices in this course are the weir and the flume. A weir is a vertical obstruction that the water must flow over. The measured height of water above the top of the weir (the weir crest) can be used to calculate the flow rate. A flume consists of a constriction in the cross-sectional area of flow. The measured height of water passing through the constricted area (the throat of the flume) can be used to calculate the water flow rate. This course included descriptions, equations and example calculations for sharp crested (V-notch and rectangular weirs), broad crested weirs, and Parshall flumes. A spreadsheet to assist with rectangular weir calculations is included with the course.
This course is intended for hydrologists, civil engineers, hydraulic engineers, highway engineers and environmental engineers. Professional surveyors who are engaged in the layout/verification of weir and flume construction and in the collection of data for use in flow calculations will also benefit from this course.
The overall objective of this course is to provide the attendees with knowledge about calculations and installation and measurement guidelines for sharp crested weirs, broad crested weirs, and Parshall flumes, and to prepare those completing the course to make flow rate calculations for these types of open channel flow meters. A more detailed list of learning objectives is given below.
247-Orifice and Venturi Pipe Flow Meters - For Liquid and Gas Flow
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The flow rate of a fluid flowing in a pipe under pressure is measured for a variety of applications, such as monitoring of pipe flow rate and control of industrial processes. Differential pressure flow meters, consisting of orifice, flow nozzle, and venturi meters, are widely used for pipe flow measurement and are the topic of this course. All three of these meters use a constriction in the path of the pipe flow and measure the difference in pressure between the undisturbed flow and the flow through the constriction. That pressure difference can then be used to calculate the flow rate. This course will provide general background information about differential pressure flow meters and the format of the equation used for calculating liquid flow rate through any of them. There will also be presentation and discussion of equations used for gas flow through a differential pressure flow meter and the parameters in those equations. There will be descriptions of each of these meters and their particular equations, along with example calculations. Use of the ideal gas law to calculate the density of a gas at known temperature and pressure and use of an ISO 5167 equation to calculate the value of an orifice coefficient are additional topics related to orifice and venturi meter calculations that are included in this course. A spreadsheet to assist with orifice/venturi/flow nozzle meter calculations and ISO calculation of an orifice coefficient is also provided. This spreadsheet allows for user selection of either U.S. units or S.I. units for the calculations.
The overall objective of this course is to prepare those completing the course to use orifice, venturi and flow nozzle meters and to make calculations associated with their use. A more detailed list of learning objectives is included in the course document.
222-Lime Soda Water Softening Calculations
3 $23.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
273-MBBR Wastewater Treatment Processes
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is intended for civil engineers, chemical engineers and environmental engineers. Topics included are general information about the MBBR wastewater treatment process; MBBR process design
calculations for BOD removal and nitrification, including single stage BOD removal, single stage nitrification, two stage BOD removal and two stage BOD removal and nitrification processes; background information
about MBBR denitrification processes; post-anoxic denitrification process design calculations; and pre-anoxic denitrification process design calculations. A sample spreadsheet is included that
illustrates the use of a spreadsheet to make some of the calculations discussed in the course.
The overall objective of this course is to provide the attendees with knowledge about the moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) process for wastewater treatment and process design calculations for MBBR
wastewater treatment. A more detailed list of learning objectives is included in the course document.
At the conclusion of this course, the student will
- Know the differences between attached growth and suspended growth biological wastewater treatment processes.
- Be familiar with the general configuration and components of an MBBR wastewater treatment process.
- Be able to name the six MBBR process configurations discussed in this course.
- Be able to calculate the loading rate of a wastewater constituent to an MBBR process (in lb/day and g/day) for specified wastewater flow rate and constituent concentration.
- Be able to calculate the required carrier surface area for an MBBR wastewater treatment process for specified SALR and loading rate.
- Be able to calculate the required MBBR tank volume for specified carrier surface area, carrier specific surface area, and the carrier fill %.
- Be able to calculate the liquid volume in an MBBR tank for known tank volume, carrier volume and carrier % void space.
- Be able to calculate the BOD, NH3-N, or NO3-N removal rate for known values of the surface area removal rate (SARR) and design carrier surface area.
- Be able to calculate an estimated effluent BOD, NH3-N, or NO3-N concentration based on known values of the appropriate loading rate, estimated removal rate, and design wastewater flow rate.
- Be able to use the sample spreadsheet included with the course to make process design calculations for a single stage BOD removal process in either U.S. units or S.I. units.
- Be able to use the sample spreadsheet included with the course to make process design calculations for a single stage nitrification process in either U.S. units or S.I. units.
- Be able to make process design calculations for a post-Anoxic denitrification MBBR process, including required tank sizes, estimated effluent concentrations, alkalinity requirement and carbon source requirement.
- Be able to make process design calculations for a pre-anoxic denitrification MBBR process, including required tank sizes, estimated effluent concentrations, and alkalinity requirements.
Detailed Course Outline with Timeline
- Introduction (2 min)
- Learning Objectives for the Course (5 min)
- General Information about the MBBR Wastewater Treatment Process (15 min)
- MBBR Process Design Calculations for BOD Removal and Nitrification
- Overview of MBBR Process Design Calculations (15 min)
- Single-Stage BOD Removal Process Design Calculations (20 min)
- Single Stage Nitrification Process DesignCalculations (20 min)
- Two-Stage BOD Removal Process Design Calculations (20 min)
- Two-Stage BOD Removal and Nitrification Process Design Calculations (15 min)
- Introduction to MBBR Denitrification Processes (15 min)
- Post-Anoxic Denitrification Process Design Calculations (20 min)
- Pre-Anoxic Denitrification Process Design Calculations (20 min)
- Summary (3 min)
- References
- Quiz (20 min)
083-Phase Lock Loops
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course introduces the Phase-Lock Loop (PLL) with considerations from classical feedback theory producing a simple analog loop for demonstration purposes. The components are analyzed, linearizing them as required and showing the second-order nature of the loop with the PZ compensation filter for stability. The PLL capability as a Frequency-Shift Keyed (FSK) receiver demodulator for a Frequency-Modulated (FM) signal is demonstrated.
The Costas Loop variant of the PLL for double-sideband, suppressed-carrier synchronization using a Bi-Phase modulated signal is introduced, as well as the "Double-Loop" variant of the Costas Loop, showing the equivalence of the saturated signal paths for the Bi-Phase modulation in a summing loop, and the requirements for a difference term for Quadri-Phase Shift Keyed (QPSK) signals. The 180° phase uncertainty associated with the receiver synchronization is shown and discussed.
A digital PLL for frequency synthesis applications is demonstrated with the relationships between loop bandwidth and channel spacing shown. The "Exclusive-OR" logic function is demonstrated as a phase detector and the Phase-Frequency Detector (PFD) and Sink-Source-Float (SSF) implementations are introduced. The stability requirements for the components and the design of a PZ compensator for the digital PLL, including the use of a transconductance and impedance for loop filter application are discussed.
The effects of the sampling delay on the magnitude and phase characteristics of the loop are discussed.
The time and frequency domain performance of a macro-model using the parameters developed show that the discrete-time performance is well predicted, but that there are noise effects from the PU/PD pulses in the PFD.
Fractional-N synthesis technique is introduced and contrasted between the averaging and Δ-Σ modulator approaches to the oversampling used in the Fractional-N approach.
The engineer who completes this course should be able to design a working Phase Lock Loop, making it stable for their application.
084-Filters and Equalizers
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course reviews the notation for roots of polynomial expressions describing Linear-Time Invariant (LTI) systems in the frequency domain, and relates the operator notation to the time-domain response using complex exponential notation. A single pole circuit is introduced and responses analyzed in the frequency domain and time domain. An ideal delay is introduced for comparison and sets a reference for step response behaviors.
Polynomial root locations are described in the complex s-plane and complex conjugate pairs plotted and described using (w0, z) notation as well as (t0, Q) notation. Phasor notation is introduced for evaluation of steady-state sinusoidal excitation of transfer functions. Second-order, complex conjugate pole pairs are introduced and the asymptotic behaviors developed and contrasted to the single-pole behaviors in magnitude, phase, and group delay attributes. Straight-line approximations are produced and the errors of approximation discussed.
Classical Butterworth, Chebyshev, and Bessel filters are introduced and the construction formulae developed. The Cauer filter is also illustrated, but mathematical development using elliptic functions is not included. Frequency domain and time domain responses are developed using a 4th design form as representative of even-order forms and a 5th order design as representative of odd-order forms. Only the 5th order Bessel filter example is synthesized from the equations. A 5th order equalizer is examined for the 5th order Chebyshev and Cauer filter and shown to provide equivalent results for both Chebyshev and Cauer filters. An additional pole pair is added to the 5th order equalizer and the justification and improvements noted. Transformations are discussed to convert low-pass prototype designs to high-pass and band-pass filters.
The course is designed for a practicing engineer seeking a capability for designing and specifying filters and equalizers for frequency domain and time domain applications.
087-Embedded Systems; Analog, Digital, and Microcomputers
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course traces background history leading to current "Embedded Systems" from the introduction of system classification concepts through modern digital computer concepts, and first-practice digital computer embedded systems leading up to the current methodologies, tools, and practice involved in the design of Embedded Systems.
The digital computer hardware is traced from the vacuum-tube era through the advances of solid-state technology to today's integrated circuits. The software is shown in parallel with introduction of abstract languages, operating systems and "hard" real-time software, program code and library practices, through C-Code editing, compilation, and system building. Hardware Design Language (HDL) concepts are introduced in the context of adding digital functionality to the included microcomputer capabilities.
A Top-Down design methodology is used in the context of Embedded Systems development with both open-source and proprietary tools from an Engineering System Level (ESL) through an implementation at the demonstration-board level with two different examples. The design-flow through the use of tools is discussed prior to the example use of those tools so that the "big picture" is seen first. A simple Delta-Sigma (DS) analog-to-digital converter is used as an analog/digital or mixed-signal example with some modeling and simulation relating to the analog functions and some relating to the digital functions. The use of the top-down approach makes the system simulation of behavior clear prior to the "binding" of the functions to analog or digital components.
Two different implementation hardware boards: the BeagleBoard featuring a Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP™ IC with an ARM processor and TI proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP) onboard, and Cypress Semiconductor PSoC5™ with an ARM processor and proprietary configurable analog and digital blocks on a "First Touch" board are introduced as a hardware target candidates.
Software development tools are introduced and representative usage shown for both open-source and proprietary tools using a C/C++ path in both an open-source Linux environment and a MicroSoft Windows™ environment. Code generation automation is discussed and manual code entry discussed in the context of the tools.
The example system is explored in detail from within the context of the Cypress Semiconductor PSoC5™ "First Touch" environment with some alternatives introduced. The steps necessary and the code example for the PSoC5™ "First Touch" environment are referenced, as well as the necessary hardware and software requirements to enable the example in the BeagleBoard are shown and links provided to obtain the accelerometer, display, cables, and software required. The MathWorks PolySpace™ semantic run-time code checker software is shown with illustrations of the checking capabilities.
A 50% discount coupon on products from Cypress Semiconductor Corporation is included with this course.
153-Decision Making in Engineering Planning and Design
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course illustrates the categories of decision making under conditions of Certainty, Uncertainty, and Risk and introduces some tools related to decision processes in engineering planning and design. Conditions of Certainty may be assumed as a reference or bench-mark for defining the best possible outcomes, but may also be used as a simplification often used to provide a first level of feasibility checking or for conditions with negligible risk. A first example of decision making under conditions of certainty is taken from the use of Linear Programming (LP) tools to optimize constrained resource allocation to optimize a monetary return. Both a graphical approach and the "Simplex Method" are introduced to illustrate how to identify an optimum. A second example is taken from the use of the Critical Path Method (CPM) as used in determining the planning of a project. Extensions of CPM to include elements of risk and the PERT Method in the decision making under conditions of Risk are deferred until that risk is discussed, but the CPM elements are used as a framework. A short discussion of decision making under conditions of Uncertainty is included with introduction of payoff tables and both optimistic and pessimistic approaches. Because the predominant form of decision making is under conditions of Risk, concepts of probability are discussed including conditional probability, Bayes' Theorem, expected values, the value of research and information, and the extensions of CPM to develop estimates in the PERT scheduling technique. Links are provided in several locations to available free, open-source software tools associated with certain topics. The tools and techniques are useful both during initial planning and as more information becomes available suggesting plan revision.
058-HVAC Design - Fundamentals
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course in the fundamentals of HVAC system selection, sizing, and design will benefit design professionals including engineers, architects, and designers, as well as those involved in facility management and maintenance. The material includes helpful charts and tables to assist with everyday HVAC design tasks. Upon completion of this course, you will have a better understanding of the basic principles involved in HVAC system selection, sizing, and design.
The course begins with a comprehensive review of the various types of HVAC systems, including the advantages and disadvantages of each one. From there, HVAC system selection is covered. This looks at factors such as project type and size, system maintenance considerations, energy efficiency, aesthetics, performance and client expectations. The section on HVAC system sizing covers calculation programs and input requirements, make-up air, ventilation outside air, space pressurization, supply air conditions, and equipment sizing guidelines.
HVAC system design is the main thrust of the course. Subjects include sizing and layout of ductwork and piping, code research, energy code calculations, equipment location, coordination with other design professionals, specification of equipment and materials, HVAC controls, and — the final product of the HVAC design — preparation of the drawings and specifications. Along the way, Mr. Ballew interjects thoughtful insights from his years of experience as a design engineer. Everything from meeting architects' expectations and project deadlines, to time-saving tips on performing load calculations. HVAC Design — Fundamentals of System Selection, Sizing, and Design is a valuable resource that no design professional should be without.
100-HVAC Design - Industrial Ventilation
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is intended for mechanical engineers who want to learn more about Industrial Ventilation. This course qualifies for one (1) hour Professional Engineering CEU credit. Industrial ventilation design issues covered include refrigeration machine room ventilation, battery room ventilation, and warehouse ventilation & heating. Included free with this course are industrial ventilation Excel spreadsheets which are yours to keep and use. Upon completion of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of the design aspects related to industrial ventilation.
The course is divided up into three parts; ventilation for machine rooms, battery rooms, and warehouse space. The machine room segment covers the various code requirements which govern machine room ventilation. This section looks at the calculations for offsetting the refrigeration equipment heat, determining the code-required emergency ventilation rate, as well as winter heating requirements. Cost-effective machine room design templates for both warm and cool climates are reviewed in detail including mechanical diagrams.
The battery room section explains the code requirements which pertain to battery room ventilation. The calculation for hydrogen concentration is reviewed in detail, as well as the recommended placement of supply and return ductwork. The third and final part of the course covers warehouse ventilation and heating. This section begins by discussing the various options for warehouse ventilation and includes helpful mechanical diagrams. Recommended ventilation rates are discussed and flow rate calculations are covered. The course concludes with the different types of warehouse heating systems including capacity calculation methods.
Calculation spreadsheets are included for every segment of this course. The spreadsheets are yours to keep upon completion of this course. The material covered in HVAC Design — Industrial Ventilation is a valuable resource that no design professional should be without.
302-HVAC Design – Cooling Towers
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course in HVAC Design – Cooling Towers will benefit design professionals including engineers, architects, and designers, as well as those involved in facility management and maintenance. Upon completion of this course, you will have a better understanding of the principles involved in cooling tower sizing and selection as well as the design of related systems.
We begin by embarking on a journey where you are in charge of inventing the modern cooling tower. Along the way we review basic cooling tower operating principles. From there we take a look at all of the various types of cooling towers. Then we dive into the specifics of mechanical applications, piping arrangements, system design and redundancy. The text is filled with useful examples and colorful illustrations.
In the hands-on design section we cover cooling tower sizing, siting and location, code requirements, and construction materials. Next we study the unique nature of open systems, then delve into the details of pump sizing, cooling tower water consumption, filtration, and water treatment. HVAC Design – Cooling Towers is a valuable resource that no design professional should be without.
290-What Every Engineer Should Know About Reliability I
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Reliability Engineering is concerned with the design, implementation, and prediction of the life profiles of a system or component using a disciplined analysis approach that has strong roots in statistics, mathematics and engineering. Given a system, subsystem or component, one of the major challenges of the discipline is to understand the inherent failure mechanisms that govern the system and the development of the appropriate analytical scheme to determine the system's life profiles. The problem becomes even more acute given the phenomenon of aging and related transient phenomenon as well as the practical realities of little or no data. Today, these challenges still persist especially as companies try to shorten the time to market in order to gain market share.
This first in a two-course sequence has examined some of the basic issues related to reliability such as:
- Understand the various viewpoints of reliability, especially the engineering design viewpoint.
- The use of nonparametric approach to estimate the reliability and hazard function functions
- Understand the performance measures used to characterize reliability.
- Appropriate reliability based intervention strategies that lead to optimally maintained system.
- Availability, Maintainability and related Performability measures.
Under these broad themes, the topics to be covered include:
- Reliability Models
- Static Reliability
- Reliability Improvement
- Reparable Systems-Availability Models
- System Redesign
- Maintenance
The second sequence will focus on the all important area of dependency analysis, interference theory, data analysis and testing.
293-What Every Engineer Should Know About Reliability II
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Reliability Engineering is concerned with the design, implementation, and prediction of the life profiles of a system or component—using a disciplined analysis approach that has strong roots in statistics, mathematics and engineering. Given a system, subsystem or component, one of the major challenges of the discipline is to understand the inherent failure mechanisms that govern the system and the development of the appropriate analytical scheme to determine the system's life profiles. The problem becomes even more acute given the phenomenon of aging and related transient phenomenon, as well as the practical realities of little or no data. Today, these challenges still persist especially as companies try to shorten the time to market in order to gain market share.
This second in a two-course sequence has examined some more practical issues related testing and parameter estimation as well as some topology or configurations that are practical and realistic but have not received enough attention.
Some of the issues addressed include:
- Understand the various viewpoints of reliability, especially the engineering design viewpoint.
- The use of nonparametric approach to estimate the reliability and hazard function functions
- Understand the performance measures used to characterize reliability.
- Appropriate reliability based intervention strategies that lead to optimally maintained system.
- Availability, Maintainability and related Performability measures.
Under these broad themes, the topics to be covered include:
- Reliability Models
- Static Reliability
- Reliability Improvement
- Reparable Systems-Availability Models
- System Redesign
- Maintenance
The second sequence will focus on the all important area of dependency analysis, interference theory, data analysis and testing.
201-Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for Non-Electrical Engineers
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for Non-Electrical Engineers is a course designed to promote an understanding of the fundamentals of electricity. The course covers the differences between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) power sources by explaining the behavior of the voltage and current for both types of sources. The fundamental circuit building blocks including resistors, capacitors and inductors are covered including their behavior in series and parallel circuits as well as transient analysis. The course covers Ohm's law and Kirchoff's Laws and their application to performing circuit analysis. This course also includes a brief introduction to imaginary numbers and phasors as related to current, voltage, and impedance.
It is designed as a course for engineers that either have not had a substantial amount of electrical training or it has been some time since receiving that training. The course offers easy to read graphs, real world examples, and sample problems to promote understanding.
023-Marina Site Analysis
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
A very important component of the maritime design process becomes one of properly assessing a perspective site, and advising your client as to the pros and cons associated with site suitability; and in fact must be the first step in planning any maritime facility. This continuing education program is intended to provide the design engineer with the basic essentials for performing several levels of site assessment as appropriate for the structures discussed within this text. These range from simple recreational piers to light commercial facilities. These basics are:
- Fetch & Wave Climate Forecasting
- Determining Baseline Information
- Determination of Site Water Level Ranges
- Determination of Wind Stress
- Determination of Wave Climate
- Assessment of Site Soil Conditions
- Simple & Preliminary Investigation Procedures
- More Advanced Investigation Methods
Each of these subjects will take the reader through the step by step process of performing that phase of the pre-design site analysis and will discuss the suitability of each for the respective level of service of the respective docking facilities. The procedures laid out herein are suitable for very simple recreational docks to more sophisticated procedures required for light commercial docking facilities. This course is a prerequisite for the other maritime courses prepared by this author, which include the other design phases of boating similar facility designs.
068-Dredging and the Environment - Part 1 (Dredging 101)
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
As we pass the end of the first decade of the new millennium we are seeing an increased emphasis on the restoration of the environment. One of the areas of such focus are our waterways and marine habitats, many of which are in dire need of help. The more I become involved in these maritime restoration projects — the more I see a general lack of basic understanding of the processes of Dredging. This loosely termed and routinely misunderstood word plays a critical role in both waterway cleanup as well as habitat reconstruction. As such, this continuing education course is designed to help those who become connected to such projects develop a practical understanding of what dredging is, how it works, and how it can best be used on waterway and habitat restoration projects.
This is a multi-part course that examines dredging as it relates to various types of environmental projects. This is Part One, essentially Dredging 101, which will give the reader a basic understanding of the fundamentals of dredging. Points that will be covered are:
- The basic methods of dredging (Mechanical and Hydraulic).
- The types of commonly available dredging equipment.
- The basic operation of dredging and differences in the methods.
- Character of and working with common dredged materials.
- Selection of the dredge method for common types of projects.
- The important advantages and disadvantages of each method.
- The basics of underwater grade control (bathymetric or hydrographic survey).
This course is recommended as an introduction to "Dredging and the Environment Part 2", which will focus on Dredging as it relates to Environmental Restoration Projects. Dredging applications that will be examined in Part 2 will be Beach and Dune Nourishment, Habitat Restoration, Contaminated Sediment Removal, and Capping.
078-Dredging and the Environment - Part 2 (Dredging of Contaminated Sediments)
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This is Part Two multi-part course on Dredging that examines dredging as it relates to various types of environmental projects. This Course covers Dredging of Contaminated Sediments, which examines basic design concepts as well as the Management/Constructability ("how-to") aspect of dredging as it relates to various types of environmental waterway restoration projects. If the reader is not already familiar with the fundamentals of dredging, we suggest a review of our course titled "Dredging and the Environment Part One", also available on this site, before launching into this course, as there are a number of important terms and subjects covered in Part 1 that will be applied in this course, and without an basic understanding of the material covered in Part One the reader may not get the full benefit of this course. Subjects that will be covered in this Part 2 course are:"
- Historical Overview
- Nature and Identification of Contaminated Sediments
- Sampling and Site Investigation
- Survey
- Sediment Sampling
- Quality Control
- Design Procedures and Precautions in Waterway Remediation
- Design Overview
- Bottom Graded Finish — what to expect
- Dredging Accuracy
- Side Slopes
This course is recommended as an introduction for the individual that is interested in the overall aspects of how the Dredging process can be used as an environmental restoration tool. The course material is suggested for the designer, permitting specialist or regulator; it is intended to help broaden the understanding of this technology. It is also intended to be very practical in nature, and focused on how the dredging process can work best in the restoration of waterways. It will also cover many of the dos and don'ts of dredging and project management — as well as what can and cannot be expected and accomplished using today's available technology.
092-Dredging and the Environment - Part 3 (Beach Nourishment and Wetland Restoration)
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This is a multi-part course examines dredging as it relates to various types of environmental projects. If you are not already familiar with the fundamentals of dredging please review Dredging and the Environment Part One, (available on the SunCam web site at: /continuing-education/100186.html), we suggest that you consider taking that course before launching into this course. There are a number of important subjects covered in Part 1 that will be implemented in this course, and without an basic understanding of the material covered in Part 1 you may not get the full benefit of this course. Major points that will be covered in this course are:
- Beach nourishment projects.
- Wetland habitat restoration projects (which would also apply to mitigation sites, nesting islands and the like).
This course is recommended as an introduction to the individual who is interested in the overall aspects of how Dredging can be used as an environmental restoration tool. The course material will be very practical in nature, it will cover many of the dos and don'ts — as well as what can and cannot be accomplished using today's available technology.
349-Engineering Economics Made Easier with MS Excel
5 $35.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
When we submit engineering proposals, we often have to overcome a number of physical limitations in order to come up with the "best" way of solving a problem.But we should also ask ourselves, "Is this the most economical way of solving the problem?"
We must be able to speak both our "technical language" and the "language of managers" (paraphrasing slightly from quality guru Joseph Juran). Managers are concerned with the bottom line and want to ensure that resources are being used in the best way possible.As engineers, we too have a similar responsibility as we protect the welfare of the public.
The field of engineering economics, formerly known as engineering economy, estimates the costs and potential savings of proposals, and then determines if the proposals make "money-sense". Because the value of money today is not the same as money in the future, we must account for the time value of money, and calculate the proposal's "net present value" based on a rate of return desired by the organization.
Back in those engineering economy days, we often would have to go to tables of numbers and look up the correct "factors" to use to calculate present values and future values. We would have to "interpolate" from the tables if we were to use an interest rate of 7.5% (because the tables skipped from 7% to 8%).It was difficult to "back into" a rate of return for a proposal, or to estimate how long it may take to recoup an investment based on a desired rate of return. (Dare I mention slide rules?)
When you take this course, you will see that MS Excel has quite a few functions that will speed through calculations involving present value, future value, annuities, rates of return, and others. Woven throughout the course are engineering, business, and personal illustrations to help you better relate to the time value of money and the rate of return.
Engineering economics is not easy.But after completing this course, you should be able to see how Excel can make it "easier".
The FREE Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet that accompanies this course will be available for download after purchase. You will need Excel version 1997 or later to open the file.
211-Mechanics of Attitude Control for Spacecraft
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines; since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course. You may take all parts or any individual course(s) that you are interested in.
- Any engineer; to expand discipline knowledge when applied to other applications
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- How does a spacecraft maintain or change its orientation (i.e. pointing direction, attitude)?
272-Electrical Power Generation for Spacecraft
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines; since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course. You may take all parts or any individual course(s) that you are interested in.
- Any engineer; to expand discipline knowledge when applied to other applications
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- How does a spacecraft generate electricity to power its loads?
298-Temperature Control for Spacecraft
3 $23.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines - Since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course, professional engineers in any discipline can benefit from this course.
- All mechanical engineers - To expand discipline knowledge by learning how temperature control is applied to spacecraft.
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- How does a spacecraft maintain its temperatures in space?
301-Spacecraft Propulsion
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines - Since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course, professional engineers in any discipline can benefit from this course.
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- How does a spacecraft in orbit or deep space maintain or change its position in space?
306-Spacecraft Telemetry & Command
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines
Since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course, professional engineers in any discipline can benefit from this course.
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- How do we communicate with a spacecraft in order to monitor its health (telemetry) and make changes (command) when necessary?
309-Spacecraft Payloads
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines
Since this is a fundamentals (breadth) level course, professional engineers in any discipline can benefit from this course.
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- What is the purpose of a spacecraft as identified by its payload subsystem?
320-What Every Engineer Should Know About Systems Engineering
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is recommended for:
- All engineering disciplines
The main objective of this course seeks to answer the following question:
- What every engineer should know about systems engineering?
213-Practical Forensic Engineering-Property-Part 1
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course provides a basic familiarity with the essentials of forensic engineering for property losses, as applied to basic principles and to the investigation, assessment, and reporting of property damage claims for insurance industry and attorney clients. Practical guidance is provided such that the practicing forensic engineer may be better able to assess and understand the environment in which he is operating, and to be aware of the expectations and of the challenges placed on him in this role. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of a scientific and thorough process for investigation, reporting and forming opinions that minimize opportunities for later challenge, either by another party or during litigation. The elements of the litigation process, including testimony, are reviewed as they may apply to the engineering expert witness.
318-Practical Forensic Engineering -- Property -- Part 2
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Practical Forensic Engineering -- Property -- Part 2
APPLIANCE WATER LOSSES
DISHWASHERS AND WASHING MACHINES
This course is a follow-on to Practical Forensic Engineering – Property – Part 1. In this course we delve into one of the more common issues regarding Property Losses – water losses from appliances. The course covers some general issues and then focuses on two major household kitchen appliances – washing machines and dishwashers. These machines cause the greatest number of appliance water losses. The course discusses the losses and causes most often encountered, illustrates the failure conditions with photos of actual losses, and provides practical advice and guidance in determining the origin, cause and timeframe of the event.
123-Reliability in Wastewater Systems
3 $23.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The purpose of this training seminar is to familiarize the professional engineer with typical RELIABILITY design criteria and their application to the waste water industry. This course provides high level orientation for the engineer with ample references for deeper study.
The learning objective is to provide the design professional instruction on RELIABILITY means and methods within wastewater treatment works. This seminar has a healthy dose of civil, process, mechanical and electrical discipline information. Although the theme of this seminar is concerned with RELIABILITY in wastewater treatment systems, it directly relates to other large industrial and municipal works for general RELIABILITY design criteria.
No outside resource materials or prerequisite courses are required. Although some wastewater treatment works knowledge is helpful, general definitions and examples are included to aid any engineer with industrial process experience.
As with any continuing education course, this document is a living document. Any and all feedback, recommendations and correctional input is greatly appreciated. Updated photographs, examples and commentary are beneficial to all.
129-Reliability in Facility Design
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The purpose of this training seminar is to familiarize the student with typical RELIABILITY design criteria and their application to the facilities and buildings system industry. This seminar provides high level orientation for the architect or engineer with ample references for deeper study.
The learning objective is to provide the design professional instruction on RELIABILITY design philosophies within facilities. This seminar has a healthy dose of core multi discipline information to orient the designer toward thinking holistically about RELIABILITY.
No outside resource materials or prerequisite courses are required. This is not a formulistic seminar and calculations are not necessary. The technical topic is presented in a narrative manner and hopefully, in a thought provoking style. Although some facilities and building systems knowledge is helpful, general definitions and examples are included.
As with any continuing education course, this document is a living document. Any and all feedback, recommendations and correctional input is greatly appreciated. Updated photographs, examples and commentary are beneficial to all.
103-Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design for Buildings - Part one
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This is Part One of a three-part course that covers the fundamentals of post-tensioned concrete for building structures using unbonded tendons. This course is intended to be an introductory course for structural engineers new to post-tensioned concrete design, and is a good refresher for experienced structural engineers. Part One should be taken before Parts Two and Three.
Part One gives a brief historical background and post-tensioned members are differentiated from pre-tensioned members. You will learn about the load balancing concept, hyperstatic moments, pre-stress losses, the basic requirements of ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), and nominal flexure and shear capacities of post-tensioned members.
Part Two illustrates examples of two of the structural systems commonly used in buildings and parking structures, namely a one-way continuous slab and a two-span beam. Part Two is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
Part Three continues with the study of two-way, post-tensioned slab systems, including a complete design example using the Equivalent Frame concept. Part Three also covers related topics such as punching shear for two-way slabs and moment transfer at the column. Part Three is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
By successfully completing all parts of this three-part course, you should be comfortable performing a preliminary design by hand and be able to quickly check a computer generated design or an existing design by hand.
160-Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design for Buildings-Part Two
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This is Part Two of a three-part course that covers the fundamentals of post-tensioned concrete for building structures using unbonded tendons. This course is intended to be an introductory course for structural engineers new to post-tensioned concrete design, and is a good refresher for experienced structural engineers. Part Two should be taken after Part One and prior to Part Three.
Part One gave us a brief historical background and how post-tensioned members are differentiated from pre-tensioned members. You learned about the load balancing concept, hyperstatic moments, pre-stress losses, the basic requirements of ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), and nominal flexure and shear capacities of post-tensioned members.
Now, in Part Two, we will follow design examples of two of the structural systems commonly used in buildings and parking structures, namely a one-way continuous slab and a two-span beam. Part Two is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
Part Three continues with the study of two-way, post-tensioned slab systems, including a complete design example using the Equivalent Frame concept. Part Three also covers related topics such as punching shear for two-way slabs and moment transfer at the column. Part Three is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
By successfully completing all parts of this three-part course, you should be comfortable performing a preliminary design by hand and be able to quickly check a computer generated design or an existing design by hand.
161-Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design for Buildings-Part Three
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This is Part Three of a three-part course that covers the fundamentals of post-tensioned concrete for building structures using unbonded tendons. This course is intended to be an introductory course for structural engineers new to post-tensioned concrete design, and is a good refresher for experienced structural engineers. Part Three should be taken after Parts One and Two.
Part One gave us a brief historical background and how post-tensioned members are differentiated from pre-tensioned members. You learned about the load balancing concept, hyperstatic moments, pre-stress losses, the basic requirements of ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), and nominal flexure and shear capacities of post-tensioned members.
Part Two illustrated examples of two of the structural systems commonly used in buildings and parking structures, namely a one-way continuous slab and a two-span beam. Part Two is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
Part Three now continues with the study of two-way, post-tensioned slab systems, including a complete design example using the Equivalent Frame concept. Part Three also covers related topics such as punching shear for two-way slabs and moment transfer at the column. Part Three is an example-intensive course, with key concepts introduced along the way.
By successfully completing all parts of this three-part course, you should be comfortable performing a preliminary design by hand and be able to quickly check a computer generated design or an existing design by hand.
186-Intellectual Property and Patents for the Professional Engineer
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course is organized with an introduction to the general practice of the engineering arts with emphasis on the facets that are specific to the profession of the Registered Professional Engineer. A similar emphasis on and distinctions of the general forms of intellectual property is introduced with particular emphasis on the United States Patent Office and issued patents; such as are likely to be associated with the practice of the Professional Engineer. Some practical considerations are developed as apply to the practice of Professional Engineering.
This course has been produced by two practicing Professional Engineers. One author, Dr. Raymond L. Barrett, Jr., PhD, PE has many years of engineering experience and is an author of books, articles, and courses, as well as an inventor with 36 issued US patents as a named inventor. Similarly, Luis Figarella, PE also has over 20 years of experience as a practicing engineer and Patent Agent and is an author of books, articles, and courses, as well as an inventor with 14 issued US patents as a named inventor, and over 35 issued/allowed US Patents for his clients.
Due to the nature of the course, the materials presented in this course were extensively obtained from referenced public sources with links to those sources conveniently provided. On completion of the course the terms should be clear, many of the issues as well as an introduction to the processes and procedures needed to identify intellectual property issues and protect the rights of the owner of the identified intellectual property should be clearer. The course is presented as an overview and is not a substitute for competent legal advice in any particular cases.
094-A Gentle Introduction to Ultra-wide Band (UWB) Radio Technology
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This well illustrated course provides a gentle introduction to Ultra-wide band (UWB) radio technology that contrasts UWB specific characteristics with conventional narrow band radio characteristics. The treatment focuses on concepts rooted in the historical development of wireless technology. We trace early wide-band wireless on its march to conventional narrow radio, and then to increasing signal bandwidths to take advantage of performance improvements inherent to wide bandwidths. We observe wireless technology mature, and culminate in today's UWB technology. We will see how UWB signals can coexist with other systems. A simple UWB transmitter will be shown, and system performance will be explained. Finally we will investigate the potential applications space for UWB technology.
097-Cell Phone and RF Exposure Awareness
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The objective of this course is to raise awareness and understanding of human exposure to, and safety considerations of Radio Frequency (RF) and electromagnetic (EM) fields from transmitters and antennas such as cellphones and mobile phones, which are among the most prevalent transmitting devices with which people come into contact. We will explore the origins of RF exposure standards, and see how they have evolved. Technical terms will be explained and concepts will be clarified with analogies to familiar experiences. The course is relevant to everyone who operates or uses a portable transmitting device, and is especially relevant to those who work with radio transmitters and antennas.
163-Heat Load Calculations for Refrigerated Spaces
3 $23.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
This course breaks down the heat gain calculations required for any refrigerated space into four categories; transmission, infiltration, product and miscellaneous. An Excel spreadsheet will be provided that calculates the thermal loads in each of these areas and automatically transfers that design data to a concise one page summary.
The course delves into the materials, properties, logic and equations required for heat load calculations in each of the above four areas. It also offers guidance with respect to industry norms and typical, basic cold storage construction techniques.
Upon completion of this course, a good understanding of the refrigeration requirements of most refrigerated spaces will be attained.
216-An Introduction to True Modular Boiler Systems
4 $29.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the True Modular Boiler (TMB) design. The scope is confined to hydronic boilers for space, domestic hot water, water source heat pump, and heating systems. These boilers provide a temperature of 100°F for water source heat pumps, 140°F for potable domestic hot water, and 180°F for space heating.
These systems are generally used for apartments, housing projects, condominiums, office building, commercial buildings, churches, schools and hospitals.
Most hydronic systems in use today are of the conventional large two boiler design, or less frequently, the conventional modular boiler design. More than 80% of commercial boiler sales are for replacement projects in existing buildings. Most contractors replace the equipment with what's already there. The purpose of this course is to educate you about an alternative system that is far superior and more energy-efficient than these conventional systems. Armed with this knowledge, you will have the confidence to recommend replacing the conventional systems with a flexible and more economical one.
That system is the True Modular Boiler (TMB) system design. It is similar to the conventional modular design, but with critical design differences that make it far superior. The TMB utilizes a simple design that uses multiple small modular boilers that are activated sequentially, with all other boilers isolated until needed. The efficiency of its design is most apparent during warmer months, when less than maximum load is needed. Comparisons of the TMB with conventional boiler systems will demonstrate that they are simple to design, require low maintenance, provide energy savings, and are cost effective. Their design will provide energy savings of 35-50% over conventional hot water heating systems. The American Gas Association (AGA) gives a 80% combustion efficiency rating to boilers that can provide 75% thermal efficiency under steady-state firing with an average water temperature of 140°F. However, studies show that conventional boilers waste 40% of annual fuel consumption during the boiler's cycling and idling hours. This results in a service efficiency of 30 — 40%, rather than the expected 70 — 80%.
This course covers the basics of how a TMB system works and the specific differences between it and other systems in use today. The benefits of using a TMB system, as well as the cost savings are discussed.
246-Compressed Air Systems for Forest Products Facilities
3 $23.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Many manufacturing facilities use large quantities of compressed air. In designing such facilities, the Consulting Engineer will often be required assemble a bid package for the compressed air system. To do this, he must determine the Scope of Work, then size the equipment and write specifications. The purpose of this course is to provide instruction on completing these steps. The course is written for design of materials-handling facilities that do not require large amounts of instrument air, but rather use compressed air for power, cleaning and other unit operations. Specifically, it is written from perspective of the authors' experience in designing forest products manufacturing facilities.
On completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Calculate the basic compressed air requirements of the process.
- Calculate the design compressed air requirement for the plant.
- Determine the equipment supply requirements.
- Name some advantages of rotary screw compressors over reciprocating compressors.
- Describe the functions of an aftercooler.
- Name two types of dryers commonly used in forest products manufacture.
- Describe three types of regeneration systems for desiccant dryers.
- Name three purposes for compressed air receivers.
- Estimate the required size of compressed air receiver.
- Discuss the need for an oil/water separator with the client.
- Calculate the expected oil concentration in the condensate leaving the aftercooler.
249-Bulk Silos for Biomass Facilities
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Bulk silos are an essential part of most biomass and some forest products facilities. They are used for intermediate storage of partially processed raw material and storage of final product. The purpose of this course is to familiarize the engineer with the use of these silos, so that he can adequately specify them and provide for them in a plant layout.
On completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Determine the volume and weight storage requirements.
- Understand choices of different wall materials and constructions.
- Specify accessories that will be needed, including fire protection requirements and explosion protection.
- Understand the concept of "aspect ratio" of a silo.
- Understand the need for "mass flow" from a silo.
- Understand the difference between screw reclaim and passive reclaim.
- Estimate the working volume, height and diameter of a silo for a proposed application.
267-Biomass Process Flow Calculations
1 $11.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.
Course Description:
Process flow calculations are an essential part of any biomass project. They provide an aid in firming-up the basic process, sizing equipment and estimating the project. The calculations however are complicated by the fact the certain variables such as daily operating hours, bulk density and moisture content vary as the material progresses through stages of the process. This course presents a methodical approach that can render the calculations relatively simple and minimize opportunities for errors in complex projects.
On completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Understand the difference between block flow diagrams and process flow diagrams.
- Understand the basic methodology for performing process flow calculations.
- Understand the need for storage volume calculations as part of the process flow calculation procedure.
- Understand how to predict fuel requirement to a dryer.
- Understand how to calculate annual uptime rates.
- Understand the difference between dry basis and wet basis moisture contents and how to convert between them.
- Understand the advantage of working with "oven-dry" bulk density.
- Understand the considerations involved in selecting design factors.
361-Motor Starters Protection and Control The Basics
2 $17.95
Course Objectives: This continuing education course is intended to provide training and education about the following topics, along with an introduction to applicable codes and standards.
1. The basics of AC induction motors
2. The purpose and function of a motor starter
3. Components of motor starter power circuits
4. Basics of motor control
Course Description:
This course is intended to be introductory training about motor starters and control for AC induction motors. It covers the basic functionality and ratings for motor contactors, overload relays and short-circuit protection. Power and control circuits are explained along with references to applicable codes and standards.
