Online Multiple Choice eLearning

Continuous Commissioning - Maximizing Building Energy Efficiency and Comfort Overview Building commissioning has emerged as the preferred method of ensuring that building systems are installed and operated to provide the performance envisioned by the designer. While most commissioning processes focus on bringing building operation to the original design intent, Continuous Commissioning is different. Continuous Commissioning focuses on optimizing HVAC system operation  more...

Operational Efficiency - O M Best Practices Effective O&M is one of the most cost-effective methods for ensuring reliability, safety, and energy efficiency. Inadequate maintenance of energy-using systems is a major cause of energy waste in both the federal government and the private sector. Energy losses from steam, water and air leaks, uninsulated lines, maladjusted or inoperable controls, and other losses from poor maintenance are often  more...

Indoor Environmental Quality Overview Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems can be caused (or avoided) at virtually any stage in the design, construction, and operation of any facility. During building design, such issues as roof overhangs (to keep out rain), location of outside air inlet ports, glazing specifications (relative to potential condensation and mold growth), formaldehyde content of cabinetry, and entryway design  more...

Building Security Initiatives Energy Savings and Trade-offs Overview Since September 2001, most public agencies and many private firms have focused (or sometimes re-focused) attention on security issues, especially in high-visibility public gathering places and government workplaces. For DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE/EERE), this new focus on security may create both opportunities and challenges for its primary mission  more...

Lab Design for Energy Savings Overview As a building type, the laboratory demands our attention; what the cathedral was to the 14th century, the train station was to the 19th century, and the office building was to the 20th century, the laboratory is to the 21st century. Unfortunately, a laboratory is also a prodigious consumer of natural resources. The challenge for architects, engineers, and other building professionals  more...

Crawlspace Construction of Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas This one-hour course is based on the FEMA construction guidelines for crawlspace foundations used for residential buildings, which are located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Crawlspace foundations are commonly used to elevate the lowest floors of residential buildings located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This course provides guidance on  more...

Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls This (one-hour) course is based on the FEMA construction guidelines for ? breakaway? walls used below Elevated Coastal Buildings. In Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V, VE, and V1-30), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations require that communities participating in the program adopt floodplain management ordinances or laws requiring that all new and substantially improved  more...

Guidelines for Energy Management Overview - Energy Star Overview EPA offers a proven strategy for superior energy management with tools and resources to help each step of the way. Based on the successful practices of ENERGY STAR partners, these guidelines for energy management can assist your organization in improving its energy and financial performance while distinguishing your organization as an environmental leader. In this course, the student  more...

Vapor Barriers Under Concrete Slabs - How to Select and Locate Overview A vapor barrier is one of the most critical building components used to prevent indoor air quality issues and minimize moisture-related concrete slab and flooring system failures. Proper selection of a vapor barrier based upon the criteria of low permeance, high tensile strength, high puncture resistance, and chemical resistance will ensure that the vapor barrier not only performs as an  more...

Mold in the Workplace Overview Mold is a hot topic, THE hot topic of concern in the building industry today. This is because it is generally one of those unquantifiable variables for most people and even most "experts". This is because each human being that inhabits a building is a unique person with unique physical and mental attributes that may or may not make many molds problematic for them. In this  more...

Insulation Basics Overview In today's building industry, there are several commercial type buildings that are using building techniques similar to residential construction with respect to materials and installation details for slabs, underground foundation walls, exterior above ground walls, ceilings, attics and roofs. Although the building codes for commercial construction are different than those for  more...

Energy Saving Initiatives - Residential and Light Commercial Overview In this course the student will learn some of the basic techniques involved with energy savings in the buildings that are typical of both residential and light commercial multi-family facilities. The source documents is written around residential type building construction; however the student will learn that some of the basic energy saving principles used in residential construction  more...

Sustainable Design - Integrated Building Design Building Envelope Energy Saving Opportunities Overview Integrated building design is a process of design in which multiple disciplines and seemingly unrelated aspects of design are integrated in a manner that permits synergistic benefits to be realized. The goal is to achieve high performance and multiple benefits at a lower cost than the total for all the components combined. This process often includes integrating green design strategies  more...

Water and Wastewater Design in Buildings Overview Sustainable design involves integration of multiple disciplines. The goal of effective water management is to reduce water consumption without compromising the performance of equipment and fixtures. Using water more efficiently is a green strategy for several reasons: it reduces pressure on sometimes-limited water resources, reduces the amount of energy and chemicals used for water and  more...

Heating and Cooling System Upgrades - Energy Star Overview Heating and cooling systems are the largest single consumers of energy in buildings. These systems condition the air within a building so that occupants are comfortable. Heating and cooling systems consist mainly of chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and pumps. There are central heating and cooling systems, and unitary systems that combine heating and cooling. Opportunities exist for  more...

Building Envelope Airtightness Overview Infiltration in commercial buildings can have many negative consequences, including reduced thermal comfort, interference with the proper operation of mechanical ventilation systems, degraded indoor air quality, moisture damage of building envelope components, and increased energy consumption. The objective of the study used for this course was to investigate the impact of envelope  more...

Reconstruction Standards for Historic Buildings Overview This (two-hour) course will be specifically based on the portion of those standards and guidelines, which concern "Reconstruction" of historic buildings. Reconstruction is defined as the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating  more...

Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters Overview The commercial HPWH is one of many energy-efficient technologies which have been carried through the R&D stage and brought to market. A heat pump water heater is an effective and efficient way to provide hot water for commercial buildings. The system uses a water heating heat pump to move heat from a cool reservoir such as air and transfer this heat into water. The system employs  more...

Moisture Intrusion and High Ambient Humidity Causation Analysis This course provides a good overview of the various causes of undesired high humidity and moisture intrusion within building structures, and the methods and technology used to analyze such conditions. Recommending or designing an engineered solution to such problems requires a fundamental understanding of their root cause. Field engineers and design engineers who are involved with forensic  more...

Modulating Condensing Fuel-Fired Water Heaters and Hydronic Boilers A modulating/condensing fuel-fired water heater or hydronic boiler can avoid losses associated, in conventional units, with cycling at less than full load and with unrecovered latent heat of water produced in the combustion process. A system which incorporates features that minimize cycling by modulating fuel and air flow to the combustor and that recover additional heat from condensing moisture  more...

How You Can Become Registered As An Architectural Engineer ...earn PDH credits for this course, the student must pass a multiple choice quiz of fifteen (15) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: About the Architectural Engineer professional registration and the career benefits and enterprise opportunities it offers How you can qualify for, take and pass the  more...

Building Design Specifications and Tools Attention New York Engineers: This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements for the state of New York since the course does not fall under the category of "Areas of Practice" or "Laws / Rules." For more information, check the New York State Board Requirements. Overview This course will introduce you to the single most comprehensive source of ?hands-on?  more...

An Introduction to Passive Solar Buildings Attention New York Engineers: This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements for the state of New York since the course does not fall under the category of "Areas of Practice" or "Laws / Rules." For more information, check the New York State Board Requirements. Overview Passive solar energy is one of the most efficient forms of energy in the world. Not only  more...

Green Roofs Because of their many energy-saving and environmental benefits, green roofs are a promising technology for energy-efficient buildings. In a green roof, a layer of vegetation covers the surface of a roof to provide shade, cool indoor and outdoor temperatures, provide storm water management, and more. In this course the student will learn about the benefits of green roofs, estimated savings and  more...

Designing Radon-Resistant Homes Overview Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, which is found in all homes in varying amounts depending on the locality. Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) where a picocurie is a measure of radioactivity. The national average level within homes is about 1.3 (pCi/L). Not everyone who is exposed to elevated levels of radon gas will develop lung cancer, but  more...

Reduction of Radon Levels in Schools and Other Large Buildings Overview Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas in ambient air. It can also accumulate in varying amounts in enclosed buildings. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Our increased understanding of the risks posed by indoor radon has  more...

Preservation Standards for Historic Buildings Overview The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional standards and providing advice on the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, apply to all proposed development grant-in-aid  more...

Rehabilitation Standards for Historic Buildings Overview The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional standards and providing advice on the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, apply to all proposed development grant-in-aid  more...

Restoration Standards for Historic Buildings Overview Rather than maintaining and preserving a building as it has evolved over time, the expressed goal of the Standards for Restoration and Guidelines for Restoring Historic Buildings is to make the building appear as it did at a particular-and most significant-time in its history. As opposed to other treatments, the scope of work in Restoration can include removal of features from other  more...

Laboratory Building Energy Analysis Overview Because laboratories use a high amount of energy, often more than five times as much per square foot as an office building, it is important to find cost-effective ways to reduce their energy use and costs. In this course the student will learn about energy efficiency strategies including reducing the air flow during unoccupied periods, variable-air-volume systems, lower static  more...

Spectrally Selective Window Glazings Spectrally selective glazing is window glass that permits some portions of the solar spectrum to enter a building while blocking others. This high-performance glazing admits as much daylight as possible while preventing transmission of as much solar heat as possible. In this course the student will learn about the low-emissivity spectrally selective fenestration glazing benefits, energy savings  more...

Energy Policy Act of 2005 - Title I - Energy Efficiency This 4-hour course reviews Title I of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Title I of the Act concerns energy efficiency improvements in the United States. Title I of the Act amends many existing programs related to energy efficiency in Federal buildings, State energy efficiency programs, and programs that address the energy efficiency of commercial products. This is the portion of the Title that  more...

Residential Guide to Earthquake Design and Construction - Part 2 The purpose of this course is to familiarize the engineer with the basic principles of earthquake-resistant design for residential construction. Adequate construction is required in order for a structure to fair well during and after an earthquake. This course will cover the general earthquake-resistance requirements in the International Residential Code, IRC, along with typical construction  more...

Solar Water Heating Systems Overview This four-hour course is a review of how solar water heating systems work and the components that constitute a solar water heating system. The course discusses the types of systems, the characteristics of solar radiation, the types of collectors and the balance of system equipment. In addition there is a section on how to calculate the size of a system and an overview of the design  more...

Ozone for Improving Indoor Air Quality - Myths Realityies Overview With public concern about indoor air quality rising, many people are unknowingly making it worse by using air purifiers or other devices that intentionally inject ozone into the indoor spaces. Manufacturers and vendors of ozone generators often claim that these devices eliminate bacteria, mold, and chemical contaminants from the air, and that they help persons with asthma and allergies.  more...

Residential Guide to Earthquake Design and Construction - Part 1 The purpose of this course is to familiarize the engineer with the basic principles of earthquake-resistant design for residential construction. Adequate construction is required in order for a structure to fair well during and after an earthquake. This course will cover the general earthquake-resistance requirements in the International Residential Code, IRC, and requirements for foundation and  more...

An Introduction to Roofing Systems ...earn PDH credits for this course, the student must pass a multiple choice quiz of twenty-five (25) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Starting points for roof system selection Selection considerations for steep roofing systems Selection considerations for low-slope (membrane) roofing Re-roofing  more...

Energy Savings in Building Electrical Mechanical and Plumbing Systems Overview In today's building industry, the concept of integrated sustainable design has taken root and is branching out into full blossom. Green is in. Green is considered the responsible way to design. Integrated design is a process whereby the various disciplines involved in design-architect, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, interior design professional, etc.-work together to  more...

Design of Commercial Buildings to Mitigate Terrorist Attacks Overview The purpose of this course is to introduce concepts that can help building designers and building owners to mitigate the threat of terrorist attacks on new buildings. This course specifically addresses four high-population, private-sector building types: commercial office, retail, multi-family residential, and light industrial, although many of the concepts presented are also  more...

Agitator Design Principles for Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Applications This course presents a rather intense introduction to the major principles of agitator process design, as applied to liquid and gas-liquid systems as commonly found in the Bioprocessing and Pharmaceutical industries. A brief introduction is given to the basics of agitation theory as applicable, but the emphasis is on practical application of theory, rather than as an academic treatise. Specific  more...

Developing a High Performance Project Team The Project Management Institute labels the four stages of a project as, ? forming, storming, norming, and performing? . The inclusion of a stage called ? storming? is an admission that we could do a better job with the human side of projects: especially on large projects involving hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of dollars. This course is designed for any project manager or  more...

Preparing to Lead Human Resource professionals know that the quality of the relationship between employees and their immediate supervisor is the primary factor that determines the employee? s performance, productivity, and morale. The best way to recruit and retain employees is for an employer to develop the organization? s leadership skills from top to bottom. This course will be an essential tool for those  more...

Project Negotiation Skills - Strategies and Tactics This course will help participants understand the risk involved in a traditional ? win-win? approach to project negotiations and develop a new strategy and supporting tactics that will either assure ? satisfaction? on both sides or at least maintain good will if an agreement cannot be reached. They learn to analyze the nature of their satisfaction for every negotiating situation and develop  more...

Presentation Skills for Engineers Overview This course enhances the engineer's ability to deliver more effective presentations. With better presentation skills, the engineer is more able to accurately transfer technical knowledge to the listening audience. The engineer will learn the ten questions to be answered before developing the presentation, general ideas on presentation organization, points for improving delivery  more...

PC Fundamentals for Design Professionals Overview The goal of this 1-hour online course is to provide a basic understanding of what's inside the Personal Computer that you use every day. Much of this knowledge will even apply to much larger computers. The content is geared for design professionals, but is understandable and usable by anyone. After completing this course, you should have a better understanding of your Personal  more...

Writing Special Provisions This course covers the general format, content and purpose of a Special Provision that could be used in a set of contract documents for an infrastructure project such as a roadway, drainage or utility improvement. The course describes the basic format of a Special Provision by defining its purpose, identifies the various types of Special Provisions, and explains the importance of proper grammar  more...

Managing Teams in the Workplace Overview Research studies suggest that employees who indicated better interpersonal relationships with supervisors and co-workers report higher levels of job satisfaction (Valerius L., Shinew, K. & Waut, J. (1996). Job satisfaction and interpersonal relationships often develop as a result of teamwork within organizations. Hence, contemporary organizations have placed an increasing emphasis  more...

Energy Management Mistakes in Industrial and Commercial Facilities Overview In every industry, from retail outlets to manufacturing plants, energy costs are a large part of each facility's operating expenses. With energy costs continuing to rise, it is imperative that businesses learn to manage their energy consumption. What does this mean? What is energy management and what are some of the common mistakes that I, as an engineer or manager, should be  more...

Contract Writing for Engineers Overview As a professional engineer, you will likely be called upon to write (or at least review) contracts at some point in your career. If you intend to bid on a project, purchase equipment or hire a sub-contractor, a contract will be required. Except for the simplest of transactions, almost all agreements to provide a product or a service for commercial, industrial, or government work will  more...

PC Networking for Design Professionals Overview Networking our computers has become a necessity for professionals in the design and construction fields... even in the smallest of offices. This 2-hour online course introduces you to today's most commonly used networking technologies. It will help you to become familiar with networking lingo so that you can speak the same language as your favorite IT person, familiarize you with  more...

Analyzing Employee Performance Problems This online course will teach you how to analyze employee performance problems quickly and identify methods of dealing with them effectively. It takes you systematically through ten sequential steps to discover whether something that management controls is the root of the problem. This technique allows managers to retain good will with employees by looking at reasons other than the employee first  more...

Understanding Performance and Productivity This course will help you understand the ? why? behind work performance principles and help you develop the ? how? that is best for your situation. There is a significant difference between being busy and being productive and a simple way to make sure your employees are always productive. Additionally, participants will learn to define productivity and identify the difference between work  more...

Motivating People This course is a practical approach to the concept of motivation: what it is, what it means to different people, how to discover what motivates different people, and how to create a motivational culture in a workplace. There are several thought-provoking questions to help the student apply the course to themselves and their workplace in a simple, consistent, and straightforward manner. The  more...

Conflict - Understanding and Managing Conflict is part of everyday work life. We may not even notice only minor irritations because we are so used to them. However, these can easily build into something that can cause great tension within a work team. This course will help you identify typical reasons for conflict, the three escalating stages of it, and devise strategies for preventing it from getting disruptive. There is also a  more...

Preparing and Presenting Technical Information This course takes you step by step through the process of preparing and delivering a clear and lucid technical presentation at scientific and professional meetings. The guidance provided is also applicable to the preparation and delivery of less formal presentations, such as those given in the form of internal company reports to corporate executives or as lectures prepared and delivered by  more...

Personal Computers for Engineers How to Keep Your Computer Safe and Functional The personal computer has become an indispensable tool in the practice of engineering. Many engineers now rely on their computer more than their calculator, more than their phone ? in fact, more than any other instrument. If you rely on a personal computer or laptop to send emails, write reports, and perform calculations, then you have likely experienced at some point the frustration of a slow  more...

Principal-Agency Issues and the Engineer-Manager ... lives. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty-five (25) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Identify where the Principal-Agent problem exists Identify where and when moral hazards exist Define Utility Theory and marginal utility of individuals, corporations and  more...

Supply Chain Management 101 ...ing it. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty (20) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Describe the general flow of a supply chain and list the typical components within it Explain how the supply chains of manufacturers and service providers differ and are alike  more...

An Engineer s Guide to Influencing Public Policy ...earned. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of ten (10) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: The fundamental difference between Engineers and Public Policy-Makers How to influence public policy at the local, state or federal level The hierarchy of people in the world,  more...

Marketing Your Professional Services ...consulting service to reality. The student must pass a multiple choice quiz of fifteen (15) to receive PDH credit for this course. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: List the top ten reasons why business fail Define the concept of marketing as it relates to offering professional services Define a marketing mix that  more...

An Engineering Company s Greatest Assets Are Its Employees - Hiring Retaining the Best Overview Talented resources are not only a service engineering company?s greatest asset, in many ways they are their only asset. Hiring, developing, and retaining the best employees is a great challenge, one that gets more difficult each year. With high speed communications, a shortage of engineering talent, and a global marketplace, top employees are given nearly an endless choice of career  more...

Technical Writing for Engineers Overview Effective communication skills are essential to your professional development. This course provides engineers with the tools necessary to write effective specifications, reports, letters, contracts and other documentation required in an engineer's professional practice. Patent writing, video-script writing and copyrighting are also covered. The student must take a multiple-choice  more...

How to Give an Effective PowerPoint Presentation This three-hour course contains specific advice and guidance on how to use The Microsoft PowerPoint presentation program to give effective presentations. The course provides general guidance on the use of text, color, bullets, visuals, and special effects in presentations. Tips are included on how to use a few of the unique features of PowerPoint. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz  more...

Report Writing for Engineers Nearly every project, development, or study calls for concluding paperwork; some sort of a report. There have been many reminders and cartoons saying that ? the job is not finished until the paperwork is done? . But often there is reluctance on the part of those involved to pursue the task of preparing a report. This course explains why some of the reluctance appears, suggests a technology-based  more...

Interest Rates Have you ever wondered what makes up an interest rate? Curious as to how the Federal Government influences the cost of borrowing money? Have you ever wondered ? what is the appropriate interest rate to use in a financial analysis? ? This course can help you understand what makes up an interest rate and how the cost of money is ultimately determined. This course is a basic primer on interest rates  more...

Introduction to Visual Basic 2008 Express for Engineers Overview This course introduces the reader to Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition by Microsoft in an easy-to-understand fashion. While it is not intended to be a complete tutorial, the student will learn basics and become familiar with the code used to write many of today?s computer applications. The course covers program development and mentions some of the tools used by programmers. Some  more...

Capacity Planning Fundamentals ...safety. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty (20) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Analyze floor plans for optimal work flow Analyze work flows to determine their current efficiency Explain and apply the principles of ?line balancing? Determine work  more...

Introduction to JavaScript for Engineers Overview This introduction to the use of JavaScript is valuable for engineers of all disciplines. You do not need prior knowledge of HTML or JavaScript and do not need to buy or download anything since the core portion of JavaScript is in all browsers. In fact, you do not even need to have an HTML editor. The Notepad program included with Windows can be used to edit JavaScript documents. With  more...

Budget Concepts for Non-Financial Leaders This course is designed to help those in mid-level or line leadership positions in organizations or projects who do not have financial backgrounds to understand more about the behind-the-scenes activities involved in selecting, collecting, and monitoring data involved in typical budget development. It will help leaders who do have strong financial backgrounds develop their subordinates?  more...

Do It Yourself Teambuilding Many project engineers and managers believe that people assigned to projects will automatically be as productive as possible because they are professionals and they are ? supposed to? . The reality, however, is often much different because levels of individual commitment are based upon the team member? s perceptions of shared risks, rewards, threats, and opportunities. This course teaches  more...

How to Develop or Save A Project Team The title of this course, How to Develop (or Save) a Project Team, may sound like it is trying to cover two completely different concepts at the same time. ? How can you discuss developing and saving a project team in the same course?? is a reasonable question. If you consider there is a strong possibility that the reason a team needs saving is because it was not developed correctly in the first  more...

Civil Behavior in the Workplace - A Manager s Perspective There has been a steady increase of lawsuits in our country stemming from behavioral issues in the workplace. This litigation is very expensive from financial and productivity standpoints of employers and financial and career impact standpoints of employees. You can do a lot to protect yourself from negative financial and career impacts by learning what your employer expects you to do. Also,  more...

Interviewing Effectively - How to Select the People You Really Need For many people, making a successful hiring selection is a lot like describing their taste in art: "I'm not sure how to describe it but I'll know it when I see it " Think back to the last time you interviewed an applicant. If you are like many others without interview training, you may have found yourself doing more talking than listening rather than learning about his or her strengths  more...

Financial Analysis for the Professional Engineer The course advances the professionalism of engineers and engineering-managers/owners through the language of finance and accounting. Financial mathematical tools are introduced or re-introduced into the engineer? s project planning and budgeting analysis so that the PE can interact with other professions including senior and executive management and stakeholders of the operations. Participants  more...

Leading Change - A Practical Guidebook This four-hour course will help those assigned to take a principle role in an organization? s change initiative to develop a useful, step-by-step strategy for change. It provides a broad understanding about the nature of change, tips on developing a heart-engaging vision statement designed to mobilize the workforce toward the desired future, how to determine an organization? s readiness for  more...

Delegation and Empowerment What Why When and How There are many management topics that will teach you about coping in a world of rapid change, managing productivity, tips on goal setting, and the need for dividing the existing work among employees via delegation. It doesn? t take a rocket scientist to realize that a shared workload gets accomplished quicker with less wear-and-tear on each participant. There aren? t as many resources, though,  more...

Advanced Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition for Engineers ...ownload To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty (20) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Become familiar with the IDE Become familiar with the files used in a project Learn how to start and save a project Learn how to create the GUI, set properties and write  more...

Measuring Performance and Productivity This course will help you apply the foundation taught in Understanding Performance and Productivity (Course #BS-2005) to real work settings. Students can use these practical tools to construct performance measurements processes that include graduated performance levels, feedback loops, and defensible documentation of results for ? hard? and ? soft? skills as well as any activity requiring a  more...

Financial Proposals - The Why and How This course provides the ? big picture? to anyone with the responsibility of developing and presenting a financial proposal for new equipment, staffing, reorganization, or additional resources. First, we introduce the essential elements that are critical to a successful proposal. Without all of these, you are just wasting time and risk damaging your credibility. Next is the selection of the  more...

How to Read a Financial Statement This five-hour course explains how to read and interpret the financial statements of a business enterprise. This is not an accounting course, but accounting is the language of business and it is important for the understanding of the financial well being of a business. The course reviews the basic financial statements including the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and  more...

Creating and Retaining a Diverse and Productive Workforce Major league baseball broke the color barrier not because of social consciousness but because they could no longer ignore the talented black players who performed so superbly. This course will teach you how to work with senior management in your organization as an internal consultant to focus on performance measurements and issues that will help create and retain a diverse and productive  more...

Creating an Effective Project Team Performance Assessment Process This online course will teach you how to develop an easy-to-manage performance assessment system for project team members that provides fair and objective assessment within a typical project matrix organization. It will help you develop objective and measurable performance expectations for the ? hard? and ? soft? skills that are essential to a project? s success. It gives the employee a way to  more...

Negotiating Skills for the Workplace Participants will learn some very simple, yet powerful, principals about negotiations that are applicable in any situation. Whether you are very confident and assertive or introverted and compliant, these techniques will help you prepare for and conduct negotiations more successfully than you ever have before. You will also learn how to identify and counter some of the typical 'dirty tricks'  more...

Preparing to Succeed - Charting Your Own Self-Development ...into the topics presented here. The student will take a multiple choice quiz of forty (40) questions to earn PDH credit for this course. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that  more...

Leadership Fundamentals I This online course will teach you how to develop practical leadership skills for use with any workforce regardless of educational, professional, or social background. You will learn effective and proven techniques in motivating people, setting effective performance objectives, assessing that performance easily, and coaching for performance. You will receive tools that you can use immediately in  more...

Leadership Fundamentals II This online course will teach you how to develop practical leadership skills for use with any workforce regardless of educational, professional, or social background. You will learn effective and proven techniques in dealing with employee conflict, counseling employees effectively on work performance issues, a guide to developing an effective work team, problem solving with employees, and  more...

Leading the Multi-Generational Workforce Recorded history shows us there has always been concern about generational differences. Excavations of Roman ruins dated hundreds of years B.C. provided translated statements of alarmed city officials talking about their problems with the younger generation and wondering what will become of their society when the ? stabilizing influence? of their elders passes away. Technological advances in  more...

No Cost Ways to Increase Productivity Systematic explanations and guidance help users understand what may be limiting productivity so they can either make changes themselves or gain the support of senior management for help in doing so. The objective of this course is to provide guidance to motivated individuals who want to improve the productive environment at their workplace without incurring significant expense. The student must  more...

Manage Productivity to Maximize Profit This course is for people wanting to understand the design and management of efficient work processes in any environment for any product. Public organizations will benefit as much as private because work efficiency and productivity is essential to both. The concepts presented here are universal whether processing legal documents or building toasters on an assembly line. Plenty of practice  more...

Finance and Accounting for Engineers ...alysis. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of forty-four (44) questions. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers.  more...

Supervising Difficult People Overview A fact of work life for everyone in a supervisory role (this also includes the terms ?management? and ?leadership?) is that at some point, you will have to deal with difficult people. Unfortunately, their behavior is rarely difficult enough that you have reason to terminate them on the spot and be finished with the problem. No, they seem to do just enough to become a constant irritation  more...

Understanding Roundabouts Overview Traffic circles have been used in the U.S. since 1905. The modern roundabout, developed in the United Kingdom, was developed to rectify problems associated with traffic circles. This course will provide information that will guide the engineer in planning, designing and constructing several types of roundabouts. Several traffic scenarios will be provided along with information to get a  more...

Low Cost Shore Protection Overview The purpose of this course is to familiarize engineers with various established methods of low cost shore protection. It is written for the individual who is knowledgeable in general civil engineering design and construction, but is not a specialist in coastal engineering or shoreline protection. In distinguishing between low cost and cheap, one should remember that practically any  more...

Design and Construction of Levees Levees are used to provide flood protection along waterways. Levees protect agricultural land as well as urban areas. Unfortunately, levees gained notoriety following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when several levees failed in Louisiana causing mass flooding to the city of New Orleans. Levees can fail for several reasons, some can be man-made and some by events of nature. This course will review the  more...

Geothermal Energy Basics Overview Geothermal energy uses the flow of thermal energy from beneath the Earth's surface to heat homes and businesses and generate electricity. Geothermal energy is also used in many industrial and commercial applications, such as agriculture, fish farming, food dehydration, gold processing and milk pasteurizing. Geothermal energy has many advantages over other forms of energy. It is  more...

Small Water Systems - Water Sources Overview When selecting the source for a small water system, the design engineer must consider many factors including the quantity and quality of water from the source, as well as development, operation, maintenance and monitoring costs. Connection to an existing water system is usually the best option when it is economically feasible. However, development of groundwater or surface water  more...

Lateral Earth Pressure for Non-Geotechnical Engineers Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience and in particular, the non-geotechnical engineer and is not intended as an exhaustive review of the subject. The objective of the course is to discuss the three types of lateral earth pressure (at rest, active and passive) that apply to a wall or bulkhead and describe how each is calculated. The course also describes other types of  more...

Low-Density Concrete Properties Overview The use of low-density concrete provides several advantages with the primary, and most obvious, benefit being a 15 to 25 savings in weight without sacrificing the overall strength of a structure. However, the use of low-density concrete can result in a considerable impact to the structural design and cost of the structure. In this course, the student will review Engineer Circular (EC)  more...

Low-Density Concrete Construction Considerations Overview In general, concrete construction using low-density concrete is quite similar to using normal-density concrete. Constructability considerations related to mixing, placing, curing, pumping, and testing controls must be addressed in order to maximize the quality of concrete and avoid problems during construction. The use of low-density concrete provides several advantages with the  more...

Maintenance of Concrete Overview Concrete can deteriorate over time due to a number of factors including moisture penetration, chemical attack and physical damage. Selection of a suitable coating system, combined with proper surface preparation, application and curing of the coating, can significantly increase the service life of concrete subjected to harsh operating environments. Aesthetics are also an important  more...

Potable Water - Membrane Filtration Overview A membrane is a material capable of separating substances when a driving force is applied across the membrane. Relative to traditional potable water treatment processes that focus on liquid-solid separation, membranes are more effective at removing dissolved contaminants from source water. Thus, the popularity of membrane filtration has increased as drinking water standards have become  more...

Drainage Design Truly Understand What Year Event Really Means Overview Hydrologic analysis and results are statistically based. The term 'year event' is the common way to express the hydrologic magnitude of precipitation and runoff quantities, but it does not tell the entire story. What does it really mean? Discussing drainage and flood issues with the general public and policymakers sometimes needs more than thinking just in terms of 'year  more...

Placement of Concrete in Hot Weather Overview This course will briefly discuss the challenges of placing concrete in hot, dry, and windy weather. The placement of durable, quality concrete is a task that requires experience and a commitment to quality. Hot weather imposes additional obstacles that must be understood and addressed. Once the negative impact of hot weather on concrete is understood, procedures can be implemented to  more...

Introduction to Accurate Water Demand Projection Overview Accurate water demand projection is essential for a municipality to plan and budget to meet the future needs of the citizens in the community. However, many factors can influence the future water demand for a community, including population growth, changes in demographics, the effectiveness of water conservation initiatives, new low-demand plumbing fixture technologies and increased  more...

Use of Wood in Buildings and Bridges Overview Prior to the 20th century, wood was the major structural material for most houses and commercial buildings. Today, many houses and light commercial buildings are constructed using modern wood structural materials, such as roof and floor trusses, plywood and OSB. Also, an increased interest exists for using wood for transportation structures, including bridges. This course is intended  more...

The Last Straw Water Use by Power Plants in the Arid West Overview Power plants consume a large chunk of the available water supply in the arid Western United States. While the consumption is small relative to agricultural users, power plants can have a significant impact on available source water in localized areas where drought conditions exist. This course examines the uses of water in power plants and the water use conflicts that can arise when  more...

Lumber Stress Grades and Design Properties Overview Lumber sawn from a log, regardless of species and size, is quite variable in mechanical properties. Pieces of lumber sawn from the same log may differ in strength by several hundred percent. For ease of use, lumber with the same mechanical properties are placed in categories, commonly known as stress grades. This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of how  more...

Stairways and Ladders - A Guide to OSHA Rules Overview Working on and around stairways and ladders is hazardous. Stairways and ladders are major sources of injuries and fatalities among construction workers and many of the injuries are serious enough to require time off the job. OSHA rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating and demolition of worksites covered by OSHA's  more...

Placement of Concrete in Cold Weather Overview This course discusses considerations when placing concrete in cold weather. The placement of durable, quality concrete is a task that requires experience and a commitment to quality. Cold ambient temperatures decrease concrete's rate of settling. Additionally, placement of concrete in cold temperatures increase the likelihood of a deficient product, unless steps are taken to  more...

Durability of Geosynthetics for Highway Applications Various aspects of geosynthetic durability are addressed in this (one-hour) course in order to develop procedures that could be used to predict long-term strength losses of geosynthetics used in highway applications. This information is essential to designers for allowing tensile capacity for geosynthetics used primarily in mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls, reinforced soil  more...

Earthquake Design of Equipment and Supports Response Spectrum Method This course presents the response spectrum method of earthquake response analysis/design of mechanical and electrical equipment and supports. Equipment and supports are modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. No prior knowledge of structural vibration analysis or earthquake analysis is required to understand this course. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of ten  more...

Introduction to Construction Safety Overview According to the U.S. Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 7.7 million wage and salary jobs in the United States construction industry in 2006, making Construction one of the largest industries in the nation. That same year it was estimated that one fifth of the total workforce worked 45 or more hours per week. Often working days extend into the  more...

Design and Selection of Small Wastewater Systems Overview In this course the student will review EM 1110-2-501, "Design, Construction and Operation of Small Wastewater Systems" published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This course is particularly relevant to engineers involved in the design, construction and operation of small wastewater systems, as well as engineers interested in gaining a fundamental understanding of the  more...

Design of Buildings in High Wind Coastal Areas This course will review the design process required for residential buildings (one to three-story) to withstand hurricanes and other severe natural hazard events. The required calculations for all of the site specific design loads (forces) which will be applied to the structure is not within the scope of this course, however these site specific forces, which have been previously calculated in a  more...

Highways in the Coastal Environment ...erials. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of sixty (60) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: The height of the storm surge caused by hurricane Katrina The average sea level rise along United States coasts How to define hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical  more...

Highway Hydrology - Part 1 ...ation. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of seventy-five (75) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: The hydrologic cycle Rainfall/runoff processes Collection of hydrologic data Frequency Analysis Concepts Standard frequency Distributions The effects of  more...

Geotechnical Aspects of Pavement - Part 1 Overview Both flexible and rigid pavement requires a rigid subgrade in order to function safely and efficiently. The structural system would fail if either section of the structural element is deficient. This course will present to the engineer the geotechnical aspects of pavement design. Details on geotechnical exploration and characterization of base and subbase materials will be studied.  more...

Geotechnical Aspects of Pavement - Part 2 Overview Both flexible and rigid pavement requires a rigid subgrade in order to function safely and efficiently. The structural system would fail if either section of the structural element is deficient. This course will present to the engineer the geotechnical aspects of pavement design. Details on geotechnical exploration and characterization of base and subbase materials will be studied.  more...

Excavation Hazards Overview Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Workers involved in excavating and trenching operations are exposed to many different potential hazards, including cave-ins, hazardous atmospheres and falling objects. However, most injuries and deaths associated with excavation and trenching operations can be prevented by employing OSHA safety standards.  more...

Design of Small Water Systems - Pumping Storage and Distribution Small water systems have unique design considerations relative to larger municipal water systems. The small number of users makes the system more sensitive to peak rates demanded by one or several users. Given this fact, it is particularly important that the system designer consider all components of the system simultaneously. In this course the student will review Chapter 7, "Pumping,  more...

Design of Small Water Systems - Water Quality Requirements The National Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) specifies maximum permissible levels of contamination and minimum monitoring frequencies for public water systems. Mandatory adherence to the specified maximum contaminant level (MCL) is dependent on whether the water system serves a community (year-round residents) or a transient population (such as parks, campgrounds and restaurants). The MCLs are  more...

Design of Small Water Systems - Water Quantity Requirements Local water shortages are a recurring problem in many parts of the U.S. and throughout the world. As the population continues to grow, the problems will only increase. Thus, it is important to properly plan water use projects to ensure that the system is capable of meeting the users' demands for many years to come. In this course the student will review Chapter 4, "Water Quantity  more...

Retaining Walls for Non-Geotechnical Engineers Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience and in particular, the non-geotechnical engineer and is not intended as an exhaustive review of the subject. The objective of the course is to discuss the method of calculating the active earth pressure using the Rankine and Coulomb methods. The course also outlines the method used to calculate the factors of safety for sliding,  more...

Concrete Distress Deterioration - Symptoms and Causes Overview A basic understanding of the underlying causes of concrete deficiencies is essential to performing meaningful evaluations which lead to the proper selection of the method or technique used to successfully repair concrete. Symptoms or observations of a deficiency must be differentiated from the actual cause of the deficiency, and it is imperative that causes and not symptoms be  more...

Pretreatment of Industrial Wastewater for VOC Hydrocarbon Removal Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience of engineers and in particular engineers dealing with plant water effluent streams directed to sanitary sewer facilities. Pretreatment of industrial wastewater to remove hydrocarbons is often required so that the hydrocarbons will not cause VOC emissions from sanitary sewer plants which exceed regulatory limits. In this course you will  more...

Potable Water - Disinfection Overview Disinfection is used to kill or inactivate disease-causing organisms in a potable water supply. The EPA Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) requires systems using public water supplies from either surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water to disinfect the water. There are a number of different disinfection options available to the design engineer. The  more...

Potable Water - Filtration Overview For as long as humans have walked the earth, they have quested for pure drinking water. Sanskrit writings dating back to 2000 B.C. describe how to purify water by boiling it over a fire or filtering it through sand and gravel. The first municipal water plant was installed in Scotland in 1804. Slow sand filtration was first used for municipal water plants in the U.S. in 1872. There  more...

Soil Properties and Other Strange Things for Non-Geotechnical Engineers Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience and in particular, the non-geotechnical engineer and is not intended as an exhaustive review of the subject. The objective of the course is to discuss some common properties of soil and explain some seemingly strange quirks. When this course has been completed, the reader will have an appreciation for geotechnical engineering and be  more...

Superpave Mixture Design Overview Superpave has become the hot-mix asphalt mixture design method of choice of most state highway agencies across the United States. Early performance tests showed very rapid rutting failures. In order to determine the causes of the rapid rutting failures, a team of academicians, asphalt industry experts, and state highway officials was established to study the early failures and to  more...

The Physics of Mold Overview This course is intended for architects, environmental engineers and anyone else interested in knowing about the process of mold development in buildings. The objective of the course is to outline the evaluation method for designing and building composite walls in different climatic zones and to give a tool for the designers to avoid mold development. Case studies highlight the pitfalls  more...

Rigid Pavements Spall and Crack Repair Using Epoxy Resin Products Overview Rigid pavement is a part of life for society. Its uses for both vehicular and aircraft traffic have provided significant impacts to the growth of our society. No matter how well the installation was accomplished, over time it will deteriorate due to the traffic and weather. Some of the common deteriorations are cracking and spalling. Given the heavy volume of use of pavements, rapid  more...

UV or Dechlorination of Wastewater - Eliminating Residual Chlorine Concerns Overview Chlorination has been widely used as a germicidal agent in the final treatment of wastewater since the passage of the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Act-FWPA. Recent changes in regulations are mandating reduced chlorine levels in wastewater outflows since studies have indicated that chlorine can be toxic to aquatic life and harmful to the shellfish industry. This course will introduce  more...

Physical Properties and Moisture Relations of Wood Overview A basic understanding of the physical properties of wood is desirable since these properties affect a wide variety of products that are manufactured from wood. There are many different physical characteristics or properties among the many different species of wood. In many cases, more than one property of wood is important to the end product. This course is intended to provide the  more...

Disinfection Methods for CSO Treatment Overview Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur when flows exceed the hydraulic capacity of either the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) or the collection system that transports the combined flow of storm water and sanitary sewage to the WWTP. When an overflow occurs, the excess flows tend to be discharged into a receiving body of water. CSOs typically discharge a variable mixture of raw sewage,  more...

Monitoring Groundwater Conditions This course addresses the many applications and techniques for sampling and analyzing groundwater. Regulatory requirements stipulate the minimum water quality of groundwater sources. Monitoring wells are used to obtain samples of subsurface groundwater for analysis. But, how do you construct a monitoring well? And what types of measurements should be taken to ensure regulatory compliance? In  more...

Measurement and Control of pH in Wastewater Effluent In many areas of the country pH limits have been established for the acceptance of treated wastewater effluent into public water systems. This course covers pH characteristics, measurement, control applications and various treatment processes as they apply to industrial wastewater. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of sixteen (16) questions at the end of this course to  more...

Culvert Design ...gn rip rap for erosion control. The student must take a multiple choice quiz consisting of ten questions at the end of the course to earn PDH credits. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all  more...

Steel Beam Design This course covers the design of steel beams based on the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 13th edition. No prior knowledge of previous codes is necessary. This course would be of particular interest to Civil and Structural Engineers. The author attended a steel seminar on this new manual when it first came out and there were about 200 people in attendance. Only about 5 were using this new manual.  more...

Steel Column Design by ASD LRFD Steel Construction Manual This course covers the design of steel columns based on the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 13th edition. No prior knowledge of previous codes is necessary. This course would be of particular interest to Civil and Structural Engineers. This course will show how to design axially loaded W sections by trial-and-error using section E3 of the specification. It will show how to design columns using  more...

Steel Tension Member Design by ASD LRFD Steel Construction Manual This course covers the design of steel tension members based on the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 13th edition. No prior knowledge of previous codes is necessary. This course should be of particular interest to Civil and Structural Engineers. This course will show how to design tension members based on some of the limit states in sections D and J of the specification. In section D, we look at  more...

Safe Steps From Sloping Sidewalks According to Architectural Graphic Standards, Tenth Edition, stairways ? ...are the site of accidents resulting in approximately 4,000 deaths and one million injuries requiring hospital treatment annually in the United States.? No wonder, then, that several mathematical formulas have been developed to help minimize stairway tripping hazards. Most notably, these formulas regulate the ratio of the  more...

Optimum Design of Indeterminate Beams Overview The design and analysis of indeterminate frames and beams are important problems encountered by all structural engineers. With modern computer programs, analysis is not a difficult problem. Design is more complex and less amenable to programming. For efficient design, something between the following two extremes is needed: (1) The first intuitive approximation of the structural design  more...

Bearing Capacity of Shallow Footings for Non-Geotechnical Engineers Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience and in particular, the non-geotechnical engineer. The objective of the course is to discuss the bearing capacity of shallow spread footings and illustrate how this value is derived. In this course, you will learn that the allowable bearing capacity of the soil is not only dependent upon the ability of the soil to carry the load, but  more...

Design of Monorail Systems Overview This course provides guidance for the design of a monorail beam system. The design concept presented is for a manually-driven trolley hoist on a single beam or girder based primarily on the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) Specification No. 74. Deflection limitations, fatigue, and operational safety will also be discussed. Two case studies are presented to show the  more...

Small Water Systems - Water Treatment Overview The purpose of water treatment is to do whatever is necessary to render a raw water suitable for its intended use. Depending on the quality of the water source and the intended use, treatment may range from simple disinfection with chlorine to more expensive, specialized processes such as reverse osmosis or ion exchange treatment. This course examines the more common water treatment  more...

Indoor Air Quality Overview In modern life, people spend more and more of their time indoors - home, office, cars, and airplanes. A lot of us even exercise indoors. Unfortunately, we've rarely thought about indoor air quality (IAQ) and its health effects, until recently. Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness are related to poor indoor air quality and other indoor environmental factors. More and  more...

Structural Design Criteria for Southern Pine Lumber Overview Southern Pine, also known as Southern Yellow Pine, is widely available and is highly desirable for design not only because of its inherent high strength and durability but also for its treatability and beauty. The design values of Southern Pile are among the highest of all softwood species. Southern Pine's durability makes its use suitable for flooring, decks, boardwalks, and other  more...

Earthquakes and Tsunamis Fundamental Concepts Overview This course introduces you to the fundamental concepts about earthquakes. Following a brief narrative of the myths and mystery that surrounded the occurrence of earthquakes throughout history, the course describes the precise effects of the first major earthquake recorded in the mid-eighteenth century. This initial advance led to the development of the new discipline of seismology in  more...

Roadway Shoulder Rumble Strips Practices and Policies Overview The use of shoulder rumble strips (SRS) have been attributed to lower run-off-road crashes due to fatigue and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This course will cover the practices of SRS and how its practice alerts the driver to steer the vehicle off of the shoulder. The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) has expressed concerns about their safety with the use of  more...

Design for the Recycling of Pavements Overview The use of recycled materials in pavement applications is on the rise. Factors contributing to the increased usage include the reduction of wear and tear on equipment required to haul new materials long distances; development and improvement of the technology and equipment used in the recycling process; and elimination of environmental impacts related to disposing of debris. This  more...

State-of-the-Art Water Use Efficiency Overview It's no secret that the Southwestern part of the U.S. is one of the driest regions in the country. Given that water is so precious and scarce in the Southwestern U.S., it is particularly important for municipalities in the Southwest to encourage water use efficiency - both on the supply-side and the demand-side. This course covers water use efficiency measures in the Southwestern  more...

Fall Protection in Construction Overview Falls have become the leading cause of worker fatalities in the US construction industry. Workers involved in working at heights are exposed to potential fall hazards. OSHA recognizes that accidents involving falls are generally complex events frequently involving a variety of factors. However, most injuries and deaths associated with working at heights can be prevented by employing  more...

Prevention of Shoreline Erosion - Coastal Defense Schemes Overview This course was specifically designed to introduce the basic design concepts behind various coastal erosion defense schemes. Coastal structures are used in coastal defense schemes with the objective of preventing shoreline erosion and flooding of the adjacent coastal areas. Other objectives include sheltering of harbor basins and harbor entrances against waves, stabilization of  more...

Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities Overview Compared to sewage waste that can be treated in the local wastewater treatment plant, or placed in landfills, radioactive waste is an entirely different subject. Radioactive waste can be very dangerous when exposed to humans. Because its such a hazardous material, nuclear facilities that use radioactive waste should follow several protocols when being decommissioned. This course covers  more...

Taking Toxics Out of the Air Overview Air toxics are those air pollutants that are know or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems. Each year, millions of tons of air toxics are released into the air. The Clean Air Act has provided the primary framework for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution. In this course the student will learn about what air toxics are,  more...

Solid Waste Management and Waste Reduction Techniques Overview The United States disposes of over 236 million tons of solid waste a year, a figure that has been steadily increasing for over 100 years. The traditional waste management bureaucracy is dominated by engineers. Engineers have been successful at designing more efficient and safer disposal methods, but they have been reluctant to effect strategic planning initiatives that address the  more...

Reducing Lead Hazards During Construction Overview Employers must be aware of workplace hazards facing their workers and must take appropriate action to minimize or eliminate exposure to these hazards. The interim OSHA standard aims to reduce the exposure to lead for construction workers. The most significant way to achieve this was by lowering the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of lead from 200 micrograms per cubic meter of air as  more...

History of Coastal Engineering Overview The history of coastal engineering reaches back over five thousand years to the ancient world bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. Coastal engineering, as it relates to harbors, started with the development of maritime traffic, perhaps before 3500 B.C. Recently, archaeologists, using modern survey techniques, excavations, and old documents, have revealed  more...

Wood-Based Composites and Panel Products Overview Wood properties vary greatly among species, between trees of the same species, and between pieces from the same tree. Because of this variation, solid wood cannot match reconstituted wood in the range of properties that can be controlled in processing. This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the different types of wood-based composites and panel products  more...

Arsenic Treatment for Small Water Systems Overview Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust. Most arsenic in drinking water comes from natural rock formations, especially those of volcanic origin. Arsenic is primarily a groundwater issue. The new federal Arsenic Rule lowered the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) from 50 ppb to 10 ppb and requires existing sources to be in compliance with the new MCL by  more...

Tsunamis Generation and Propagation This course on ? Tsunamis: Generation and Propagation? is presented as a complement to course C-3008 on ? Earthquakes and Tsunamis: Fundamental Concepts? for the benefit of those students who want to learn more about this particularly devastating natural phenomenon. Whereas Course C-3008 addressed primarily the topic of earthquakes, this course addresses primarily the topic of tsunamis. This  more...

Fall Protection in Construction Overview Falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry. Between 150 and 200 workers are killed each year as a result of falls on construction sites. And 100,000 more construction workers are injured every year because of falls. This course covers OSHA 3146, Fall Protection in Construction, which was created by OSHA in response to the high number of injuries and  more...

An Introduction to Soil Grouting Overview Grouting is a widely used method for strengthening and sealing rock, soil and concrete. The possibilities for sealing structures are of great importance from both an economic and environmental point of view. The cost of grouting has in certain projects been as high as the cost of blasting and excavating the tunnel. To improve the technique for grouting with cement-based material, it is  more...

Steel Erection Safety Requirements Overview Steel erection can be dangerous business. The close proximity of workers to heavy equipment, overhead lifts and potentially unstable structures, combined with working at heights pose significant risks to workers that must be managed by the project. In July, 2004*, OSHA issued the latest revision of 29CFR1960.750 Subpart R "Steel Erection". This subpart sets forth  more...

Structural Design Criteria for Permanent Wood Foundations Overview A Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF) is an innovative building system that saves on home construction costs, provides for warm living areas, and adds to the home's marketability. A PWF is an engineered foundation construction system that is a load-bearing, lumber-framed foundation wall sheathed with plywood that can resist and distribute earth, wind, and seismic loads and stresses  more...

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Overview Concerns about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. This course presents guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings. Additionally, using this knowledge of remediation methods can assist  more...

Traffic Impact Studies Overview This four hour course focuses on the engineering requirements for a Traffic Impact Study. These requirements include: predesign activities; various types of traffic volume studies; traffic signal warrant analyses; condition diagrams; and traffic capacity analyses. This course will enable an engineer to follow the proper procedures in conducting various types of traffic studies as well  more...

Preparation of Contract Documents for Highway and Traffic Engineers Overview This four hour course focuses on the Preparation of Contract Documents for Highway and Traffic Engineers. It is extremely important for Highway and Traffic Engineers to be able to adequately inform Contractors regarding what is to be left as is, and what is to be constructed, removed, or replaced. The course focuses on the items to be placed on the Contract Plans and Specifications  more...

Preliminary Traffic Signal Design Overview This course for Highway and Traffic Engineers focuses on determining the number of lanes required for an acceptable Level Of Service for each approach lane to an signalized intersection. A set of Rule of Thumbs are used to determine lane configuration for each approach prior to starting the actual intersection design. The design engineer will be able to determine the actual number of  more...

Pedestrian Signal Configuration Overview This four hour course will discuss Pedestrian Signal configurations used to provide pedestrian indications at intersections for the safe crossing of pedestrians with conflicting traffic movements, that conforms to the latest 2003 Edition to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (USDOT MUTCD). It is necessary to conduct a pedestrian count across all approaches to the  more...

Mechanical Properties of Wood Overview A basic understanding of the mechanical properties of wood is essential when utilizing this raw material for construction purposes. There are many different species of wood, each having their own specific characteristics. This course is intended to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the different properties of wood along with an understanding of how natural defects  more...

Structural Design Criteria for Raised Floor Systems Overview A Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF) is an innovative building system that saves on home construction costs, provides for warm living areas, and adds to the home's marketability. A PWF is an engineered foundation construction system that is a load-bearing, lumber-framed foundation wall sheathed with plywood that can resist and distribute earth, wind, and seismic loads and stresses  more...

Construction of Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas Overview Construction of residential buildings in coastal zones presents challenges to the builder not usually found in more inland locations. For all coastal residential buildings, these challenges may include the following: Various connection details require additional inspections Careful surveying is required to place the building within property line setbacks and above the Design  more...

Sanitary and Industrial Wastewater Collection - Gravity Systems Overview Wastewater is a part of everyday life. Every living creature and every industry on earth creates waste in some form or another. Wastewater acts as a medium to direct waste to various treatment plants by means of sanitary sewer lines. Some sewer lines use a combination of gravity flow and flow induced by pumping systems. This 4 PDH course is Part I of a two-part series. This course will  more...

Sanitary and Industrial Wastewater Collection - Pumping Systems Overview Wastewater is a part of everyday life. Every living creature and every industry on earth creates waste in some form or another. Wastewater acts as a medium to direct waste to various treatment plants by means of sanitary sewer lines. Oftentimes topography and economics does not allow sewer lines to flow by gravity. In those cases a pumping system will be required. This 4 hour course is  more...

Sanitary Landfill Design Overview People produce large amounts of solid waste. When we place a piece of paper or any other undesired object in the trash, it is the beginning of a process that culminates with the object being discarded in a sanitary landfill. Sanitary landfills are the final destination points for our solid wastes. On a daily basis, solid waste is placed, compacted and finally covered in place in our  more...

Structural Design of Concrete Lined Flood Control Channels Overview Concrete lined flood control channels are used to convey rapid and tranquil storm water and prevent flooding. You have probably noticed concrete lined flood control channels while driving along the interstate, state highway, or being used in large land development projects. Often times they are used where storm water pipes would not be a feasible option from an engineering and economic  more...

Scaffolding Use in Construction Overview OSHA's recent rule, Safety Standards for Scaffolds Use in the Construction Industry rule aims to protect workers using scaffolding in construction work. Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. In this course the student will learn some of the basics of scaffolding requirements in the construction  more...

Nitrogen Oxides - Abatement and Control Overview Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a very important family of air polluting chemical compounds. This course explains why NOx are important air pollutants and how NOx are formed and react in the atmosphere. This course also includes the principles on which all NOx control and pollution prevention technologies are based, available NOx technologies for various combustion sources, and performance  more...

Controlling VOCs Using Carbon Adsorbers Overview In air pollution control, adsorption is employed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from gas streams, when a stringent outlet concentration must be met and/or recovery of the VOC is desired. Although there may be several types of adsorbants used, this course is oriented toward the use of activated carbon, a commonly used adsorbent for VOCs. Of the various types of adsorption  more...

Design of Hydroelectric Power Plant Structures Overview This course presents fundamental principles underlying the design and construction of hydroelectric power plant structures. It is realized that departures from these standards may be necessary in some cases in order to meet the special requirements and conditions of the work under consideration, or to comply with additional codes which may be in effect. This course presents a  more...

Ice Forces on Structures Overview Any structure placed in an environment where the presence of ice is a hazard to its integrity and stability needs to be designed to withstand the forces generated by ice moving against it. A designer should also consider how the cold might affect the intended operations of a structure; because freezing of ice may hinder some of the normal warm weather operations. The guidelines  more...

Intersection Signs and Pavement Markings This four hour course will discuss the requirements for the placement of different types of signs and pavement markings to guide and control traffic at the approaches and through an intersection. These intersection control signs and pavement markings supplement the Traffic Signal, and they must conform to the latest edition (2003) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (USDOT MUTCD). To  more...

Air Pollution Control Ventilation Equipment The type of equipment needed to convey waste gas are the same for most kinds of control devices. These are: (1) hoods, (2) ductwork, (3) stacks, and (4) fans. Together, these items comprise a ventilation system. A hood is used to capture the emissions at the source; ductwork, to convey them to the control device; a stack, to disperse them after they leave the device; and a fan, to provide the  more...

Gas Absorption for Air Pollution Control Gas absorbers are used extensively in industry for separation and purification of gas streams, as product recovery devices, and as pollution control devices. Absorption is a process where one or more soluble components of a gas mixture are dissolved in a liquid (i.e., a solvent). There are different types of absorption equipment. This course looks at the various absorbers used to control gas  more...

Urban Hydrology This course provides an overview of hydrologic methods commonly used in urban drainage design. In this course, the student will review Chapter 3 of Hydraulic Engineering Circular 22, Urban Hydrologic Procedures. This chapter addresses the following subjects: Rainfall Determination of Peak Flow Rates Development of Design Hydrographs This course is relevant to municipal engineers, highway  more...

Overview of UV Disinfection for the Drinking Water Industry In this course, the student will be given an overview and background of technical information on the application of ultraviolet light for the disinfection of drinking water by public water systems. This overview includes a description of basic chemical and physical principles, the components of UV equipment, and performance monitoring for UV facilities. The overview material is intended to present  more...

Introduction to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPDES Construction Site General Permit This four hour online course introduces the reader to the NPDES construction general permit (CGP). This course is intended for practicing engineers, contractors, developers, regulators, and all other personnel involved with construction sites. Environmental Effects of Construction Construction inevitably causes some degree of disturbance and compaction of the soil, the loss of vegetation  more...

UV Planning and Design Principles for Drinking Water Treatment This course is a companion course to the course titled, An Overview of UV Disinfection for the Drinking Water Industry (Course No: C-4025). In this course the student will be provided with planning and design principles to install UV disinfection at a public or private drinking water facility. This course includes a description of the components of UV equipment and describes the design principles  more...

Vacuum Sewers 101 From the time the very first public sewer system was constructed until the 1960? s, a conventional gravity system was the only choice US engineers had when considering a public sewer collection system. This changed about 40 years ago when the USEPA challenged the industry to developed alternative collection by providing special funding for such endeavors. One of the alternative collection systems  more...

Vacuum Sewers - Operation and Maintenance and System Management Guidelines From the time the very first public sewer system was constructed until the 1960? s, a conventional gravity system was the only choice US engineers had when considering a public sewer collection system. This changed about 40 years ago when the USEPA challenged the industry to developed alternative collection by providing special funding for such endeavors. One of the alternative collection systems  more...

Stormwater Detention - More Accurante Models Using Modified Rational SCS Method This course discusses two common methods of storm water runoff and detention, the Rational (Modified Rational) and SCS Methods. In depth discussion of input variables along with limitations for each method will allow the student to more accurately model detention for a particular site, while maintaining practical engineering practices. The accuracy of each method is evaluated by using examples of  more...

Excel 2007 for Engineers This course covers the use of Excel in engineering. You will need Office 2007 or Excel 2007 to follow examples in the course. You do not need prior knowledge in the use of Excel. The course covers terms used in Excel and the user interface. You will learn how to make a worksheet and chart sheets (graphs) in Excel. The examples cover rectangular, semi-log and log-log graphs. The course covers  more...

Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet Finite element software and spreadsheet software are two essential tools for structural engineers. This course combines the two into a FE spreadsheet that puts the power of FE method into the versatility of a spreadsheet. The user is provided with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that solves FE two dimensional (2D) frame-type structural engineering problems. This spreadsheet is simplistic in  more...

Bottomless Culvert Scour Study ...tration. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty (20) questions. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In  more...

Concrete Mixture Optimization Using Statistical Methods The mixture of concrete plays an important part in the strength and durability of concrete. This course explores the feasibility of using statistical experimental design and analysis to optimize concrete mixtures. Different methods are covered that include several variables, such as concrete composition and properties, such as slump and strength. After reading this 4 hour course the student will  more...

Open-Channel Hydraulics ...r flow. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty (20) questions. Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Hydraulic elements of open-channels Types of flow in open-channels Fundamental equations used for open-channels How to find critical depth and normal depth How to find  more...

ADA Title II - Simplified Overview Title II of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers programs, activities, and services of public entities. A public entity covered by title II is defined as: Any State or local government Any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government Certain commuter authorities, as well as AMTRAK As defined, the term  more...

Traffic Signal Configuration Overview This five hour course will discuss the traffic signal configuration to determine the proper phasing and signal layout to be installed at an intersection that conforms to the latest 2003 Edition to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (USDOT MUTCD). To properly design a traffic signal at an intersection, the Engineer must understand all the rules and standards that govern the  more...

Asbestos in the Construction Industry Overview In the construction industry, asbestos is found in installed products such as sprayed-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, floor tiles, cement pipe and sheet, roofing felts and shingles, ceiling tiles, fire-resistant drywall, drywall joint compounds, and acoustical products. In this course the student will learn the OSHA requirements regulating asbestos in the construction industry. The  more...

Sewer Sediment Sources Impacts and Control Methods Overview This course provides an integrated approach to manage the solids generated in urban wet weather flows, both on the land surface and in drainage sewer systems. Threats to the quality of receiving waters by discharges from urban-storm-generated WWF, including combined sewer overflow and polluted runoff from urban streets, are well known. During many storm events, large volumes of  more...

Analysis and Design of Dams for Earthquakes Overview The FEMA guidelines presented in this course provide a basic framework for the earthquake design and evaluation of dams. The general philosophy and principles for each part of the framework are described in sufficient detail to achieve a reasonable degree of uniformity in application among the Federal agencies involved in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and  more...

Particulate Control - Baghouses and Filters Overview Fabric filter units are used in industry as an effective pollution control device for removal of particulate material within a captured air stream. This course presents the process descriptions of various styles of baghouses and air filter systems. Design and operating parameters are analyzed. The applicability of filter materials and operating principles are explained for a variety of  more...

Wet Scrubbers for Particulate Matter Control Overview Wet scrubbers are a pollution control devise used in the industry for removal of particulate material within a captured air stream. There are numerous types of wet scrubbers which remove both acid gases and particulate mater (PM). This course describes the commonly applied scrubber designs used to remove PM from stationary sources. Design and operating parameters are presented. Various  more...

Radionuclides in Drinking Water - Regulations Treatment and Residual Disposal Overview The revised Radionuclides Rule came into effect on December 8, 2003. U.S. EPA's revisions to the Rule provide standards that, if met, ensure that all customers served by community water systems (CWSs) receive water that meets the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for radionuclides in drinking water. In accordance with the Rule, all CWSs must complete initial compliance monitoring  more...

Signal Mounting Alternatives This five hour course will discuss the different types of traffic signal supports and signal mounting hardware that are in use by the industry. There are no firmly established rules on how Traffic Signal Heads shall be placed at an intersection, except that they must provide motorists an unobstructed view of the signal indication and the primary Traffic Signal Heads shall be within the Cone of  more...

Vehicle Detectors This five hour course will discuss the different types of vehicle detectors used in the design of a signalized intersection in order to control traffic. At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to determine the type, function, size, and placement of vehicle detectors to obtain the desired operations to move traffic through an intersection efficiently. Participants will also  more...

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans SWPPP for NPDES Construction Sites This five hour online course introduces the reader to the development of construction site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP). A SWPPP is required for coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction Site General Permit. This course is intended for practicing engineers, contractors, developers, regulators, and all other personnel involved with  more...

Soil Stabilization for Pavements A well stabilized soil is essential for the proper function of our roads, bridges, dams, runways, etc. Soil stabilization occurs during first stages of a project. The degree of soil stabilization could easily determine the life of a structure. This course will discuss the soil stabilization methods for pavements. Due to the non-homogenous nature of soil, it is common to find soils of different  more...

Segmental Retaining Wall Design ...nalyzed. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of thirty (30) questions. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In  more...

Signal Cables Conduits and Junction Boxes ...troller. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of twenty-six (26) questions. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers.  more...

Effects of Inlet Geometry on Hydraulic Performance of Box Culverts Culverts are generally used to move water from one side of a road to the other. They are often used as alternatives to bridges. The wingwalls of culverts can have an effect on culvert capacity due to entrance losses. The angle that wingwalls can be built for culverts can range from 8 degrees to 30 degrees or more. After reviewing this 5 hour course, the student will have valuable information that  more...

Determination of Site-Specific Loads for Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas Overview This course will review the procedures and formulas required to determine the appropriate forces which residential buildings could become subjected to during hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other severe natural hazard events. The design procedures required to determine the site specific design loads (forces) which will be applied to the structure, is the basis of this course.  more...

Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Sites Overview In coastal areas, proper siting and design require an accurate assessment of the vulnerability of any proposed structure or building site, including the nature and extent of coastal hazards. Failure to properly identify and design against coastal hazards can lead to severe consequences, causing building damage or destruction. This course discusses the following topics: Hazard  more...

Electrostatic Precipitators for Air Pollution Control Overview An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a pollution control device that uses electrical forces to move the particles out of the flowing gas stream and onto collector plates for particulate emission control. There are different configurations and types of ESPs designed and operated for removal of particulate mater (PM). This course describes the commonly applied ESP designs used to  more...

Design and Construction of Earth Dams Overview This course presents fundamental principles underlying the design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams. The general principles presented herein are also applicable to the design and construction of earth levees. The objective of this course is to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams. The design and  more...

Ponds - Planning Design and Construction This course provides an overview of the planning, design, and construction of ponds. In this course, the student will review the USDA publication "Ponds - Planning, Design, and Construction" This publication addresses the following subjects: water needs for a pond pond planning estimating stormwater runoff embankment ponds excavated ponds operating and maintaining the pond  more...

Emerging Technologies for Biosolids Management Biosolids (sewage sludge) are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from treatment and processing of wastewater residuals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that publicly owned wastewater treatment works (POTW) generate over 8 million tons (dry weight) of sewage sludge annually. New sewage sludge regulations reduces options for disposal and rising energy costs are causing a  more...

Stormwater Detention in Urban Drainage Design This course is intended to present recommended design procedures and guidelines for use in complying with the requirements of Section 1-303.03 Stormwater Storage. The main purpose of a detention basin is to store excess runoff thus reducing peak discharges downstream. Detention basins should be considered when increased runoff due to highway activities would cause additional damage to downstream  more...

Traffic Controllers Phasing Sequence and Signal Timings ...materials. To receive PDH credit, the student must take a multiple choice quiz of thirty-one (31) questions. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers.  more...

Wastewater Characteristics Flow and Transport and Fate of Pollutants in the Receiving Environment Overview Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are used to treat wastewater in applications ranging from rural single-family dwellings to industrial plants located in densely populated areas. Unlike sophisticated community wastewater treatment facilities, performance monitoring of onsite treatment systems has not typically been required by regulations. Thus, the importance of properly  more...

Geotechnical Engineering Basics for Non-Geotechnical Engineers Overview This course is intended for a wide range audience and in particular, the non-geotechnical engineer. However, it is not intended as an exhaustive review of the subject. The course focuses on more common subjects in rudimentary fashion. In this course, you will learn the background for bearing capacity and settlement analysis, lateral earth pressure and retaining walls, as well as  more...

Highway Hydrology - Part 2 Overview This course will examine the hydrologic cycle in order to determine run-off from various land covers encountered in highway design. All facets of the hydrologic cycle will be studied including meteorology, geo-hydrology, sheet flow, channel design, and hydrographs. Several different methods will be presented to determine time of concentration and peak discharge such are regression  more...

ADA Standards for Accessible Design Overview The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a public law enacted July 26, 1990 to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunication. Many business  more...

Design of Conduits Culverts and Pipes Overview The design procedure for conduits, culverts, and pipes vary due to life cycle considerations, material types used, loading types applied, and construction methods utilized. This course provides guidance on applying different types of loading such as (a) internal/external pressure, (b) vertical and horizontal pressures due to groundwater, surcharge water, and concentrated live loads,  more...