FE Other Disciplines case studies
FE Other Disciplines · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer (P.E.). It is designed for recent graduates and students close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. The exam is computer-based and administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers. A $225 exam fee is payable directly to NCEES. Topics on this exam: Other Disciplines (content domain not enumerated in the source). The FE Other Disciplines case studies are 5 cases and about 3,774 words.
1Rebar Substitution in a Retaining Wall
A 6.0 m high cantilever retaining wall is under construction. The design calls for 25 mm diameter Grade 420 deformed bars at 300 mm spacing in the vertical stem. The contractor has 25 mm Grade 280 bars on site and proposes using them at 250 mm spacing, claiming that more bars compensate for the lower strength. The site engineer is asked to sign a field change before the next concrete pour at 06:00.
701 words, about 4 min2Pump Replacement Economics with Energy Escalation
A cooling-water pump at a food plant runs 6,000 hours per year. The existing 75 kW motor has a measured wire-to-shaft efficiency of 70% and is beyond repair life. Option A is a premium-efficiency unit costing 28,000 installed, with 80% efficiency and a 12-year expected life. Option B is to repair the existing unit for 6,000, keep 70% efficiency, and plan replacement in 5 years.
743 words, about 4 min3Leaking Aluminum-to-Stainless Flange in Seawater
A seawater line on a pier uses 6061-T6 aluminum flanges bolted to 316 stainless steel valves with 316 stainless M16 bolts and a compressed fiber gasket. After eight months, a flange leaks at the bolt circle. The bolts were tightened to 90 N·m with a torque wrench. The maintenance crew applied nickel anti-seize to the threads but used the same 90 N·m value.
746 words, about 4 min4Neutralizing a Caustic Batch Without Reliable Instrumentation
A 2,000 L tank contains 5.0 wt% sodium hydroxide solution with a density of 1.05 kg/L. Before disposal to the sanitary sewer, the pH must be between 6 and 9. An operator plans to add 98 wt% sulfuric acid, density 1.84 kg/L, from a drum until the pH probe reads 7. The tank has a working agitator, but the temperature probe is broken and the pH probe was last calibrated three months ago.
757 words, about 4 min5VFD Motor Overload in a Hot MCC Room
A 45 kW, 460 V, three-phase induction motor drives a centrifugal fan through a VFD. Nameplate data: 65 A, 1.15 service factor, 40°C ambient, Class F insulation. The motor is in a prefabricated MCC room measured at 45°C. The feeder is 95 mm² copper THHN, about 90 m long, in a conduit with four other current-carrying conductors.
827 words, about 4 min