Best SE Exam Study Materials

Summary of Study Materials for the 16 hour Structural Engineering Exam (SE Exam)

Thanks to Horia Varian

I am working on this list of the Best Study Materials for the 16 hour Structural Engineering Exam (SE Exam) for your use.  The SE exam is a two-day exam, and is an open book format.  You can bring anything you want to the exam, but I suggest you try to find some materials that allow you to quickly find what you need to solve the problem.  So you will need a good core reference manual to guide your studies and to take into the exam room.  In addition, you will need to work lots and lots of problems to refresh yourself will all aspects of the exam.  Just make sure that you stay on some sort of schedule and work problems according to the Exam Specifications.  

First skim the relevant chapters, and then work the problems for the same kinds of problems.  During your review, you will want to take the sample exam to determine how you are doing, and determine what you need to focus on the most.  I need to get a link for the sample exam…

Part 1.  Reference Manual

1a.  Structural Engineering Reference Manual [Paperback]
Alan Williams PhD SE FICE C Eng (Author); 6th Edition. (STRM6); ISBN-10: 1591263719

See larger image Structural Engineering Reference Manual (Paperback) By (author) Alan Williams PhD SE FICE C Eng List Price: $312.00 USD New From: $177.00 In Stock Used from: $169.00 In Stock

Alan Williams is the go to guy when it comes to getting prepared for the SE 16 hour exam.  This updated manual is a great manual to be used as the core of your review.  The manual covers the topics including structural analysis and design of both vertical and lateral loads.  The book has useful diagrams and provides commentary for how to do it.   Of course, the SE exam requires a knowledge of the relevant building codes, and this book helps you sort all of the nuances of each code. The book has 225 example problems and solutions.  Yes the book covers bridges and buildings, so you are covered either way…

Here are the codes it covers.  

• AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design, 5th Ed., 2010
• ACI 318 (2008)
• ACI 530/530.1 (2008)
• AISC 13th edition (2005)
• ASCE 7 (2005)
• IBC (2009)
• NDS (2005)
• PCI (2004)

Exam Topics Covered

•     Reinforced Concrete
•     Foundations & Retaining Structures
•     Prestressed Concrete
•     Structural Steel
•     Timber
•     Reinforced Masonry
•     Lateral Forces (Wind & Seismic)
•     Bridges

Part 2 – Practice Problems

To pass the Structural Exam you will need to work problems, work problems, and work problems.  Here are a few references that will provide the problems; you have to work them yourself.  

2a – Structural Engineering Solved Problems by C. Dale Buckner (Nov 30, 2011) (SEPPM5); ISBN-10: 159126376X

This book includes 100 practice problems that will help you prepare for the 16 hour structural exam.  Yes it covers both bridges and buildings.  

See larger image Structural Engineering Solved Problems (Paperback) By (author) C. Dale Buckner PhD PE List Price: $200.00 USD New From: $122.00 In Stock Used from: $128.74 In Stock

Part 3 – Sample Exam

PE Structural Sample Questions and Solutions [Paperback] NCEES (Author) ISBN-10: 1932613587

See larger image PE Structural Sample Questions and Solutions (Paperback) By (author) NCEES List Price: $75.00 USD New From: $67.50 In Stock Used from: $63.49 In Stock

Part 4 – Review Course for the SE Exam

Here is a Review Course for the 16 Hour SE Exam that I recommend.  I know the instructor for the Course, and I know he will do a great job to help you prepare for this exam.

About Andy Richardson

Andy Richardson, PE has been a Professional Engineer for over 14 years, and currently practice engineering at my business in South Carolina. I created this site in 2009 to help others realize the dream of obtaining their PE License as well. Please let me know if there is any specific information you need to 'Ace' The PE Exam. For more, check the about page.