Feature: Armstrong

Feature

Preparing for the Part 3 examination

K. G . Armstrong, BSc, CEng, MIStructE, MICE

Introduction It is worth collecting past papers and practising
This feature is a summary of ideas about choosing the question in 15 min.
preparation for the Part 3 examination. The Having chosenthe question,read it through
examination is noted for its difficulty and a couple of times. Firstly, scan it to get a feel
high failure-rate. Having failed in 1989, I for the client’s requirements and thestructure.
thought it through and passed in1990. This Then read it through in detail, highlighting the
is written in the hope thatwillit prove useful particular requirements that have to be
to those preparing for it. accommodated.
As you are reading, write down in the answer
Preparation book your first thoughts. Let the examiner see
As with any examination, proper preparation how you are formulating the schemes, perhaps
is required. There area number of institutions discarding initial ideas that prove not to be
offering courses through the autumn and winter working.
which are of value.Backgroundreading, Remember that the two schemes must be
practice and discussion and the collection of different,butboth mustfulfil the client’s
reference material are all necessary. Practice requirements. Imagine that you are preparing
should be in two forms: sitting a mock exam different schemes for theclient to have priced.
over the full 7 !h h and practising the individual In the timetable above note that 45 min have
sections over a half-hour or so. been allocated for this. Practise evolving two
schemes in that time. From then on you will
Timetable be workingfast to put your ideas down on
I worked on the basis that most questions can paper, earning marks. Remember to keep
bebrokendowninto units of 10 marksas pushing on, keeping to schedule; spending extra
follows: time on onesection maygain an extra mark or
two, but you may lose picking up five in the
(1) Scheme 1 - 10 marks next section.
(2) Scheme 2 - 10 marks In the above timetable I have allowed an
(3) Recommendation - 10 marks hour towrite the two schemes, half an hour on
(4) Letter - 10 marks
each. I believe that the question requires equal
( 5 ) & (6) Calculations - 20 marks weight to be given to both solutions, not simply
(7) & (8) Drawing - 20 marks one solution and a rough alternative. In an
(9) Details - 10 marks appraisal these items can be included:
(10) General question - 10 marks
-structural arrangement
-load transfer
This provides auseful basis for allocating time -stability
in theexaminationandforthe period of -position of movement joints
preparation beforehand. A suitable timetable -fire resistance
is as follows: -serviceability
9.00 Set up -buildability
9.15 Choose the question -economy
9.30 Start. Read question. Think out two -relationship to other structures
schemes The diagram given in the question can be
10.15 Write two schemes overlaid to provide a basis for theillustration,
1 1.15 Recommend a scheme which should include how the structureresists
12.00 Write the letter lateralloading in bothdirections
and
12.30 Start the calculations torsionally. As you will see, in order to describe
1.00 Lunch a scheme in half an hour,one needs a thorough
1.30 Complete the calculations understanding of structures, and this exercise
2.15 Draw the scheme should be practised.
3.30 Draw the details The recommendation is a review of how the
4.15 Final question/exercise two structures comparein fulfilling the client’s
4.45 Check through requirements. Does one satisfy these better than
5.00 Finish the other? Consider why one scheme is chosen
over another, make a list, and take it into the
Examination question: Part I exam for reference. Some reasons are:
Choosing the wrong questionto answer greatly -cost
lowers one’s chances of success. It is worth -buildability
using some basic guidelines such as: -adaptability
-Can I formulate two solutions to the client’s -aesthetics
requirements? The letter is generally about a specific problem
-1s the structure similar to one that I have connected with the structure. A good general
designed before? background knowledge is required here. The
-Can I answer all the parts of the question? letter should be in the same form as astandard
(Note the letter and final question.) office letter - brief and nrofessional.
Examination question: Part 2
The calculations should be scheme calculations
to establish the sizes of the members in the
structure. Build up a file of methods of sizing
elements quickly, using rules-of-thumb and
approximate formulae. Look at previous
projects to see the sizes of members used. It is
a good idea to write an introduction to the
calculations, showing the examiner how you are
going to size thestructure.Pay particular
attention to those elements which will be a
problem, such
as
long-span beamsor
cantilevers. Help the examiner through your
script with explanatory notes and clear
calculations and by underlining the main points
and conclusions. Show him that you know what
the structure will look like.
Remember to state theCodes and materials
used and be careful to allow for all the loadings
and factors.
The drawing must be clear and well laid-out .
Practise drawing on graph paper and laying out
plans,elevation,sections, and details. Also
practise drawing the scheme in an hour and a
quarter. Remember a border and title block
help to make thedrawing look good, and first
impressions count. Stencils for rectangular
bases and circles for piles are also useful.
The details, added to the drawing, show how
the structure fits together. Structures are more
than a pile of elements because of their joints,
and so prior
a study of connections is
worthwhile. Taking into theexam some typical
details will help the memory.Remember,
however, that, if three details are required, each
will generate only a few marks - so make sure
all the details are attempted rather thangoing
into one in too great a depth.
The end question, like the letter, requires a
broad general knowledge with background
reading. It must be answered properly and not
treated as an afterthought. A file of general
references and papers on general topics will
prove a help.
Conclusion
The exam deserves its reputation for being
difficult. However, with the right experience
and preparation, success is achievable. I trust
that this feature, based on the author’s personal
experience, proves to be of use to those
preparing to sit the exam.

74 The
Engineer/Volume
Structural / 18 February 1992
70 /N0.4