Marking the ASCE7-05 for Quick Recognition & Use

California Seismic Exam Preparation

While you prepare for your California State Specific Seismic Exam (or any other PE exam component), you will face a learning curve in chapter applicability recognition. One of the most important differentiations is to pattern yourself to quickly move to chapter 12- for Building Structures, and to chapter 13- for Nonstructural Components.

The problem is: the ASCE is a very bland mix of uniform type and random equations (at a glance, at least.) When you are maximizing your time (rushing), this can frustrate, confuse, and waste your precious minutes. To break the power of black and white type on paper:

Break up the page by highlighting the Section Titles. 

 I used blue for chapter 12 and pink for chapter 13. As you practice, you will begin to associate the blue with building equations and the pink with nonstructural equations. Additionally, the unique positions of the pink horizontal bars gives each two-page open book layout a unique look. You will begin to recognize these pages as the pages containing certain information and equations. This will help you visually recognize the location of certain pages.

Of course, the most important pages for referencing should be tabbed. For about $3, you can get some packs of see-through tabs in Office Depot or Office Max. The sticky part is clear. The tab which overhangs the edge of the page is in four colors: green, red, yellow, and blue. You will want these in all your reference books. It really speeds up referencing tables.

Where to find great books for the PE Exam:

You will need several reference books for the PE exam. Most people also purchase the CERM, two or more practice exam books, and other study materials. The best of these are compiled here:

Best PE Exam Review Materials

PE Exam Books You Will Need:

For the NCEES PE Structural Exam:

1. Civil Engineering Reference Manual 14th Edition (CERM) Michael R. Lindeburg, ISBN: 978-1591263807

2. International Building Code 2012 International Code Council ISBN: 978-1609830403

3. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE7-10 ISBN: 978-0784412916

4. Steel Construction Manual AISC 360-10, American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) ISBN: 978-1564240606

5. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, American Concrete Institute, ACI 318-08 ISBN: 978-0-87031-264-9

6. National Design Specification for Wood Construction ASD/LRFD, 2005 edition, and National Design Specification Supplement, Design Values for Wood Construction, 2005 edition, ASIN: B001K9TDFS

7. PCI Design Handbook Precast and Prestressed Concrete, 6th Edition, 2004  ISBN: 978-0937040713

8. Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, ACI 530-08, Masonry Standards Joint Committee, ISBN: 1-929081-29-4

9. AASHTO LRFD Design Specifications for Bridges, 5th Edition, 2010, ASIN: B004C15EOA

10. Seismic Design Review Workbook: For the California Civil Professional Engineering Examination (See another post: Best Book for the California Seismic PE Exam.)

11. 2006 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, 2nd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-58001-933-0 (for California Seismic Specialty exam)

12. The book of your choice for the California special Civil Engineering Surveying Exam. Link goes to an article listing all the best options available.

And, again, never be without:

1. Civil Engineering Reference Manual (the CERM), ISBN: 978-1591263418

DISCOUNT:
These books can be purchased at ppi2pass.com. Additionally, take 5% off using promo code PASS1114. . Write down the discount code. Check the ppi bookstore today.

If you want to compare the best PE Sample Exams, click the link!