Dr. Z's Corner

Dr. Z’s Corner (202001)

Greetings from Oslo

Dr. Z Visits Oslo Metropolitan University (OSLOMET) One of the Fastest-Growing Universities in Europe

This month’s article is written by Dr. Vagelis Plevris, Associate Professor and Head of the Research Group “Structural Engineering” at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) in Oslo, Norway. Oslo is one of the fastest-growing capital cities in Europe and so is OsloMet, Norway’s most urban and third-largest university, with more than 20,000 students and over 2,000 employees with research activities in areas that are important for welfare and value-creation, such as health, education, social sciences, technology, and design, committed to making a positive-impact in the Oslo region, in Norway and around the world.

Monday, November 4, 2019
Oslo, Norway

Dr. Ahmet Zeytinci (Dr. Z), my colleague and friend, arrived at my home in Oslo, Norway, as he prepared for his visit with the Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology of Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet). I would like to share with you all a brief glimpse into our adventures and experiences over the course of his week-long visit.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Oslo Metropolitan University

Dr. Z had the opportunity to teach students of the master’s degree Program in Structural Engineering and Building Technology. He was a guest lecturer in my class “Finite Element Method in Structural Analysis”. The students were very enthusiastic to be taught by Dr. Z, learn about his special techniques and “Gorilla” formulas and listen to his amazing success stories and his advice on how to advance in the profession!

Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway

On Wednesday we visited Holmenkollen, a neighborhood of Oslo, with its famous ski jumping hill, the Holmenkollbakken. Holmenkollbakken is a large ski jumping hill with a capacity for 70,000 spectators. Holmenkollen has hosted the Holmenkollen Ski Festival since 1892. The hill has great engineering interest. It has been rebuilt 19 times. During the Second World War, the venue was used as a military installation, but upgraded in the late 1940s. Further expansions were made ahead of the 1966 and 1982 World Championships, as well as in 1991. Between 2008 and 2010, the entire structure was demolished and rebuilt. The tower construction material is steel while grandstands are made of steel and concrete. It is the only steel ski jump in the world today. A total of 1,000 tons of steel was used in the whole construction. The new design by JDS Architects won the Norwegian Steel Construction Prize and the ECCS (European Convention for Constructional Steelwork) Structural Steel Design Award in 2011.

Thursday, November 7, 2019
Oslo Metropolitan University

On Thursday, Dr. Z had meetings with the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology of OsloMet, Dr. Hallgrim Hjelmbrekke, and myself, the Head of the Research Group “Structural Engineering”, where we had fruitful discussions on topics related to civil engineering education and excellence in professional engineering. Dr. Z gave a very interesting and inspiring presentation to staff members of OsloMet where he spoke about the Professional Engineering (P.E.) exam of NCEES in the US, Dr Z’s Corner, his university and others. Among other topics, we discussed the opportunity for OsloMet to organize local NCEES F.E./P.E. exams in Norway in the future.

Thursday, November 7, 2019
Oslo Metropolitan University P35 Building

On the same day we visited the climbing wall in Building P35 of OsloMet. It is a permanently installed climbing wall that students and staff can try for free. Work-life balance is very highly valued in Norway and climbing is a very good relaxation from everyday life. The climbing wall is available to all students and staff associated with all faculties. With a height of 19.3 meters (63 ft), it is among Norway’s tallest indoors climbing facilities and it is divided into three sections consisting of climbing routes with difficulty levels from 4 to 7 according to the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) grading system. The grades are from 1 to 10, with grade 1 being the simplest and grade 10 being the most difficult.

Friday, November 8, 2019
The Equinor building: An art of engineering. Fornebu, Oslo

Equinor (previously Statoil) is Norway’s largest oil and gas company. The architecture of their new office building in Fornebu, right outside Oslo, completed in 2012, is inspired by offshore steel constructions. The building is made out of five lamellae of equal size, each stacked on top of one other, with a total area of 117,000 sq. meters (1.26 million sq. feet). The concept minimizes the environmental footprint of the building and gives a generous amount of space to the park.

Each lamella is 3 stories high, 140 meters long and 23 meters (75 ft) wide. The modules are oriented differently to optimize internal daylight conditions and views towards the fjord landscape. Inside, the modules create a communal atrium, with an “urban plaza” connecting many of the social functions on the ground floor. The design is rooted in the democratic principle of bestowing all users of the building with excellent working conditions that include stunning views and good light conditions.

The steel superstructure enables the different modules to cantilever up to 30 meters (98 ft). The façade consists of about 1600 prefabricated elements with integrated windows, insulation and solar shading, a highly energy efficient solution with no visible fixings in the entire facade. Although an untraditional office building, the Equinor offices represent typical Scandinavian values by emphasizing democratic values and social equality.

Dr. Z’s Corner (201911)

F.E. Stands for Fundamentals of Engineering:
FE-Exam Day Experience

In this month’s article we would like to answer many of our readers’ questions regarding the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E) exam and what you are expected to do that day.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is generally your first step in the process to becoming a professional licensed engineer (P.E.). It is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. FE exam is a computer-based test (CBT) administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

When approaching the FE Exam for the first time, it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed. The best way to build your confidence is to prepare for the test and familiarize yourself with the FE Ref. Handbook 9.5, the only official reference material for the computer-based FE exams. Review the latest version of the handbook (currently v.9.5) prior to exam day. Most importantly, familiarize yourself with the charts, formulas, tables, and other reference information provided. An electronic version will be available onscreen during the actual exam. Printed copies will not be allowed in the exam room.

Once your registration is approved, you will receive an email notification that you have been authorized to take the exam and are eligible to schedule your exam appointment. NCEES computer-based tests (CBT) are offered in testing windows throughout the year during the following months: January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November.

With Civil Engineering Students at George Mason University (CEIE-404)

Exam day experience

Once you register and know your exam date, NCEES recommends the following: First, you should plan to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Upon arrival, a representative will provide you with a copy of NCEES-CBT exam rules for your review.

After doing so, you will be asked to provide your digital signature to confirm that you have read the rules and agreed to abide by them. Also, you will be asked to provide a current government issued form of ID such as a driver’s license. Once the representative has confirmed your identification and the exam that you are taking, you will be asked to provide a palm vein scan and have your photo taken. Your signature, palm vein scan, and photo will be stored with your exam result. 

Prior to be admitted into the testing room, a representative will insure that you have only the items that NCEES allows in the testing room. These items include your ID, an NCEES approved calculator, and eye glasses. Most test centers have secure storage lockers on site for you to store prohibited items such as cell phones, other electronic devices, and personal belongings such as a watch, wallet, and bag.

Once you complete the check in process, then you report to an exam proctor who will ask you to confirm your ID by providing your palm vein scan again. Then the proctor will give you a reusable booklet and marker for scratch work. The proctor will then review the exam rules, escort you to the exam room and assigned work station, and launches the exam. Before starting your exam, all examinees will be required to read and agree to the NCEES’ non-disclosure agreement and complete a brief tutorial to learn how to ADVANCE to the next item, RETURN to a previous item, and FLAG items for review.

The FE exam includes 110-questions. The exam appointment time is 6 hours long. Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes); Tutorial (8 minutes); Actual exam (5 hours and 20 minutes), and scheduled break (25 minutes).

After completing approximately 55 questions, examinees will be prompted on screen with the option to take a 25-minute break. Examinees who wish to take the scheduled break should raise their hands and wait for the prompter tor assistance. Unscheduled breaks may be requested at any time during the exam by following the same procedure. However, examinees should be aware that clock will not stop during an unscheduled break. Examinees are allowed to access their lockers during the scheduled and unscheduled breaks.

After completing the exam and a brief survey, you should raise your hands and the proctor will verify that you had properly exited from exam, escort you from testing room, and will collect your booklet and marker. You will receive an email from NCEES within 7 to 10 days notifying you that your results are available for viewing in your MYNCEES account.

Lastly, stay relaxed and confident. Always keep a good attitude and remind yourself that you are going to do your best!

Until next time,
Ahmet Zeytinci (Dr.Z.)
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