I’m still studying for the Structural Systems part of the Architect Registration Exam. Only a weekend after my study week did I do NCARB’s exam questions from their free exam guide. All but 2 of the questions that required calculating I got wrong. That was not good.
In addition I looked at the exam description and sample questions and realized I may have been a bit misguided in a previous post. NCARB says you need to be able to “Apply general structural principles to the design and construction of buildings.” That does not exactly mean what I said in my SS Study Week is Over post:
Basically know how to choose (calculate) a beam or column size. Same thing for masonry walls. Understand structural decision-making for concrete. Because it is a composite it’s more complicated, but still understand. (That could mean calculate beam size or rebar area. I’m not too sure. I’m still studying.)
I have to clarify that post. Knowing what’s above will help, but you may be able to pass with a well rounded compartmentalized understanding of structures (statics and materials’ properties) without having to actually calculate a beam size. A kind of abstract structural component understanding may be adequate to pass the exam. If you can determine how the components of a formula or structure are affected when a variable is altered, this may be adequate to overcome the exam. That’s my impression from re-reading NCARB’s free study guide and the A.R.E. Strategies Podcast. Don’t take my word for it. Study up and prepare.
PPI
Sketchbook Project