DEVELOPMENT OF A

REVIEWER MANUAL IN MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING
With Theories and 5,001 Solved Problems and Answered
Questions (Elements)
For Computerized Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination

 ABSTRACT. This project was proposed for the development of a reviewer

manual in Mechanical Engineering (ME) with theories and 5,001 solved problems and
answered questions (elements) for the computerized mechanical engineering
licensure examination. The manual contains all the subject areas required in the
curriculum prescribed and specified by the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) through the Board of Mechanical Engineering (BME), covering Mathematics,
Basic Engineering, Engineering Economy, Industrial Plant Design, Power Plant
Design, Machine Design, Machine Shop Practice, ME Law, Contracts, and
Professional Ethics. Problems and questions were developed and formulated based
on the type of past examinations given by the Board of Mechanical Engineering
Examiners. Solved problems and answered questions in the previous Licensure
examinations are also included and presented in the reviewer manual.

The manual is designed as a review material to be used by ME graduates who are

preparing for the licensure examination and by ME graduating students who are
taking in-house review program. Furthermore, this could be used by practicing
mechanical engineers as a reference material.

Key words: reviewer manual, mechanical engineering licensure examination,

Board of mechanical engineering, in-house review

INTRODUCTION

Republic Act 8495, also known as the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act
of 1998, is an Act regulating the practice of Mechanical Engineering (ME) in the
Philippines. Section 2 of Article 1 of the Act stipulates that “the State recognizes
the importance of mechanical engineers in nation-building and development. Their
talents, through sustainable human development, shall be promoted. Thus, the
State shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded
mechanical engineers whose standard of professional practice and service shall be
excellent, qualitative, world-class, and globally competitive through regulatory
measures, programs, and activities.”
activities. ”

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 The Act states further in Section 12 and 13 of Article III that “all applicants
for registration for the practice of Mechanical Engineering shall be required to
undergo and pass a written technical examination as provided for in this Act. The
certificates of registration for the practice of Mechanical Engineering shall be of
three (3) categories and in order of rank: (a) professional mechanical engineer; b)
mechanical engineer; and (c) certified plant mechanic.”

One of the qualifications of applicants for mechanical engineer is stated in

Section 15c, Article III of the Act: “Any person applying for examination and for a
Certificate of Registration as mechanical engineer shall, prior to admission to the
examinations, establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she holds the
degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from a university, school,
college, academy, or institute duly constituted and recognized as such by the
government.”

Furthermore, Section 17b of Article III of the Act states: “The applicant shall
pass a written examination on different subjects or group of subjects prescribed by
the Board, and within the syllabi prepared by the Board with emphasis on power
plant and industrial plant engineering, mathematics, engineering economics,
economic analysis, laws and ethics, and machine design.” Moreover, the subjects in
which the applicant for mechanical engineers shall be examined are as follows: 1)
machine design, materials, and shop practice; 2) industrial and power plant
engineering; and 3) mathematics engineering economics and basic engineering
sciences.

With the previously mentioned requirements to practice ME in the

Philippines, ME graduates and applicants must be fully equipped and prepared
before taking the licensure examination. It is the obligation of the school to
prepare their graduating students and graduates before taking the board exams.
Thus, the proponent decided to develop a reviewer manual for computerized
licensure examination in Mechanical Engineering, designed and formatted according
to the type of examinations given by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
through the Board of Mechanical Engineering (BME). The manual contains theories
and 5,001 solved problems and answered questions. Problems and questions were
formulated in all subject areas based on the most frequently asked questions and
given problems in previous examinations. This manual caters to ME graduating
students who are taking “In-House Review Program” and for ME graduates who are
preparing for the licensure examination. Most importantly, the manual can be a
useful reference material for practicing engineers.

Main Objective of the Project

This work was conducted to develop a reviewer manual for computerized

licensure examination in ME, designed and formatted in accordance with the type
of examinations given by the PRC through the BME. The manual contains theories

66
and 5,001 solved problems and answered questions and covers all the subject areas
in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum prescribed by the BME.

Specific Objectives of the Project

This project aimed to:

1. develop a reviewer manual in Mechanical Engineering containing 5,001 solved

problems and answered questions and covering all the subject areas, from
mathematics to power plant, as prescribed by the BME and Commission on
Higher Education (CHED);

2. present theories for the corresponding solved problems and answered questions;

3. formulate problems and questions in all subject areas formatted to the type of
examinations given by the BME;

4. present problems and questions on the subject areas that are similar to those
commonly asked and given in the previous licensure examinations;

5. present the problems and questions previously given in the past board
examinations;

6. provide a reviewer manual in mechanical engineering for graduating students

who are taking in-house review program and for ME graduates preparing for
licensure examination; and

7. provide a reference material for practicing engineers.

Significance of the Project

The development of the review manual will enable the Engineering

Department of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba to have a review material in
ME that can be used in the in-house review program for ME graduating students. It
could also be used as a reviewer by ME graduates preparing for licensure
examination and as a reference material by practicing engineers. This could
likewise be the basis of other instructors or professors in developing a handbook or
manual for their respective subjects. Lastly, the review manual could be used by
other schools in preparing their graduating students and graduates for the ME
licensure examination.

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 METHODOLOGY

The manual is the compilation of theories and 5,001 solved problems and
answered questions (elements) formulated by the author. It covers all subject areas
from mathematics to power plant design. All pr oblems and answered questions are
formatted according to the the type of past examinations given by the BME.
Answered problems and questions given in the previous licensure examinations are
also presented in this reviewer manual.

To complete this reviewer manual, the following steps were executed:

1. Gathering and organizing data/materials;
2. Formulating and solving the problems and questions for each subject
area;
3. Computer encoding of the data and notes available;
4. Printing and binding the guidebook;
5. Presenting the first draft of the guidebook to the Research and
Development Department (R&DD) and Technical Committee;
6. Revising and printing;
7. Presenting the draft to the academic board;
8. Finalizing, printing, and binding;
9. Submitting the final copy of the reviewer manual to the RDD; and
10. Presswork.

OUTLINE OF THE GUIDEBOOK

The contents of the guidebook are spelled out in the following outline:
 Title
 Author, Date, and Edition
 Disclaimer Box
 Preface
 Acknowledgments
 A Note from the Author
 Table of Contents

PART I. MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING ECONOMY, AND BASIC ENGINEERING

Module I. Mathematics
A. Algebra and Plane Trigonometry
1. Fundamental Algebraic Law
2. Polynomials
3. Roots of quadratic equation
4. Rules for exponents and radicals
5. Logarithms and logarithm identities
6. Simultaneous linear equations
7. Degrees, radians, and plane angles

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 8. Triangles, right triangles, and circular transcendental functions
9. Trigonometric identities
B. Analytic Geometry
1. Mensuration of regular shapes
2. Straight lines
3. Plans and conic sections
4. Distances and angles between geometric figure
C. Differential and Integral Calculus
1. Derivative of a function
2. Elementary derivative operations
3. Derivative operations on functions and combinations of a functions
4. Critical points
5. Integration
6. Elementary operations
7. Definite integrations
8. Areas and volumes of integration
D. Differential Equations
1. Types of differential equation
2. Applications of differential equations
E. Probability and Analysis of Statistical Data
1. Set theory
2. Combination of elements
3. Permutations
4. Probability
5. Joint probability
6. Complimentary probabilities

Module II. Engineering Economics, ME Laws, and Code of Ethics

A. Basic Principles of Engineering Economics
1. Interest, Annuities, and Depreciation
2. Principles of engineering accounting
3. Alternative investments
4. Replacement analysis
5. Break even analysis
B. Mechanical Engineering Law
C. Mechanical Engineering Code
D. Code of Ethics for Mechanical Engineers
E. Obligations and Contract

Module III. Basic Engineering Sciences and Engineering Materials

A. Chemistry
1. Theory of atoms and molecules
2. Calculation of chemistry changes and energy
3. Chemical bonding
4. Nuclear chemistry

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 B. Physics
1. Waves
2. Sound
3. Heat
4. Light
C. Electricity and Magnetism
1. Modern Physics
2. Atomic
3. Nuclear
4. Theory of relativity
5. Quantum theory
6. Laser (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)
D. Strength of Materials
1. Stress and strain
2. Torsion and bending
3. Tensile and compressive stresses
4. Combined stresses
E. Fundamentals of Direct-current and Alternating-current Circuits
1. Elementary distribution system
2. Electrical wiring
3. Rotating electrical machines
4. Light, illumination, and optics
F. Electronics
1. Introduction to electronics
2. Semiconductor materials
3. Device performance characteristics
4. Electrical measurements

PART II. POWER PLANT AND INDUSTRIAL PLANTS ENGINEERING

Module I. Power Plant Engineering and Design

A. Thermodynamics
1. Basic concepts and principles
2. Properties of pure substance
3. Ideal and real gases
4. Vapor cycles
5. Processes of fluids
6. Gas power cycles and internal combustion engine cycles
B. Heat Transfer
C. Fluid Mechanics
D. Fuels and Combustion
E. Variable Loads Problems
F. Types of Power Plants
1. Diesel power plant
2. Gas turbine power plant

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 3. Combined cycle power plant
4. Steam power plant
5. Hydro electric power plant
6. Geothermal power plant
7. Nuclear power plant
8. Non-conventional sources of energy
G. Piping Systems and Insulations
H. Machine Foundation
I. Instrumentation and Control

Module II. Industrial Plant Engineering and Design

A. Fluid Machinery and Industrial Plant Elements
1. Dryers
2. Fans and blowers
3. Pumps
4. Cooling towers and other water cooling equipment
5. Gas compressors
6. Chimney or smokestack and draft system
7. Heat transfer equipment
8. Conveyors and other material handling systems
9. Industrial instrumentation and control
10. Machinery foundation
11. A.C. and D.C. Machinery: their performance and c haracteristics
12. Industrial processes and manufacturing systems and procedures and
corresponding flow sheets
B. Refrigeration Engineering and Applications
C. Air Conditioning Engineering and Applications
1. Psychrometric properties of air
2. Various air conditioning processes
3. Factors affecting human comfort
4. Air distribution and simple duct design
5. Cooling load calculations
6. Design, selection, and specification of air condition
7. Instrumentation and controls for air conditioning
D. Other Industrial Plant Engineering Elements

PART III. MACHINE DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND MACHINE SHOP PRACTICE

Module I. Engineering Mechanics, Machine Elements,

and Strength of Materials
A. Engineering Mechanics
1. Fundamentals
2. Force analysis
3. Forces in equilibrium
4. Couple and moments

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 B. Kinematics or Machine Elements
1. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration analysis of mechanism
2. Force analysis of mechanism
3. Cam mechanism and gear trains
C. Strength of Materials
1. Stress and strain
2. Torsion and bending
3. Tensile and compressive stresses
4. Combined stresses
5. Column analysis

Module II. Engineering Materials and Shop Practice

A. Engineering Materials Science
1. Types of materials
2. Properties of materials
3. Material specifications
B. Shop Practice
1. Workshop Theory and Practice
a. Measuring instruments
b. Bench works
c. Welding processes
d. Testing and inspection of work
e. Foundry and metals testing
2. Machine Shop Theory and Practice
f. Lathe machines
g. Shaper machines
h. Planer machines
i. Milling machine
j. Drilling machines
k. Boring machines
l. Grinding machines
m. Other machine tools
D. Machine Design
1. Shafting design
2. Keys and coupling design
3. Sliding elements bearings
4. Rolling element bearings
5. Screw fasteners and bolts
6. Power screws
7. Flexible power transmission elements
a. Belts: flat belts, V-belts, and timing belts
b. Power chains
c. Wire ropes
8. Brakes and clutches
9. Other machine elements

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  References
 About the Author

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANUAL

It took the author 13 months to develop and complete the manuscript of the
reviewer manual. The work started on January 1, 2008 and ended January 31, 2009
when the final output was submitted to the R&DD of Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Calamba.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This reviewer manual is the product of the author’s 18 years of experience

in teaching Mechanical Engineering subjects and 9-year experience as review
lecturer in various review schools in Manila. It is likewise based on his experience as
founder and review director of JCSF Engineering Review Center in Calamba City.

It is the author’s hope that this work will be a good guide for ME graduating
students taking in-house review program, as well as a good review material for ME
graduates who are preparing for licensure examination and a reference book for
practicing mechanical engineers.

Comments and suggestions to help improve this reviewer manual would be

very much appreciated. The author will be very grateful if any correction to this
review manual would be brought to his attention.

REFERENCES

The following books and handbooks were the references used in the
development of this reviewer manual.

The Associated Engineering Board Reviewers. Mechanical Engineering Reviewer,

Series 2. Technical Publications, Quezon City, 1980

Alcorcon, Ronnie S. Power and Industrial Plant Engineering . VIB Publishers,Cebu

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73
ASHRAE, Inc. 1996 ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Systems and Equipment , SI Edition.
ASHRAE, Atlanta, G.A., 1996.

ASHRAE, Inc. 1997 ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals, Inch-Pound Edition. ASHRAE,

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ASHRAE, Inc.. 1999 ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Systems and Equipment , SI Edition.
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Engineering Review Manual . Merriam & Webster Book Store, Inc., Manila,
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Burghardt, David M. and Harbach, James A. Engineering Thermodynamics, 4th

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Burghardt, M. David & Harbach, James A. Engineering Thermodynamics, 4th

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Burghardt, M. David, Engineering Thermodynamics with Applications, 2 nd Edition.

Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., New York, USA, 1982.

Capote, Roger S. and Mandawe, Joel A. 1001 Solved Problems in Power and
Industrial Plant Engineering, Volume I . Jrt Publisher and Excel Review Center,
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Church A. H. Centrifugal Pumps and Blowers , Second Edition. McGraw-Hill book

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Sons, Inc., New York, 1960.

De la Rama, Nicanor C., Pumps and Hydraulic Turbines Reviewer . Merriam &
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74
El-Wakil, M. M., Power Plant Technology. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, USA, 1984.
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Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, USA, 1978.

Fax, Robert W. & Mcdonald, Alan T. Introduction to Fluid Mechanics , 4 th Edition.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1995.

Francisco, Jose R. Guidebook in Air Conditioning, Analysis and Design. C & E

Publishing, Inc., Quezon City, 2006.

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City, 2007.

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Granet, Irving. Fluid Mechanics, 4th Edition. Prentice Hall, Inc., A Simon & Schuster
Company Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1996.

Gutay, Miguel M., Engineering thermodynamics  (A Reviewer/Text SI Units).

Merriam & Webster, Inc., Manila, Philippines, 1985.

Karassik, Igor J.; Messina, Joseph P.; Cooper, Paul; & Heald, Charles C. Pump
Handbook, 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York City, 2001.

Keenan, Joseph H.; Keyes, Frederick G.; Hill, Philip G.; and Moore, Joan G. Steam
Tables. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA, 1978

Kristal, Frank A. and Annett, F. A. Pumps: Types, Selection, Installation

Operation, and  Maintenance, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill book company, Inc.,
1977.

Linderburg, Michael R., 1001 Solved Engineering Fundamental Problems. Merriam

& Webster Bookstore, Inc., Manila, Philippines, 1988.

Mabie, Hamilton and Charles Reinholtz.  Mechanisms and Dynamics of Machinery ,

Fourth Edition. John Wylie and Sons, 1987.

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Manila Review Institute, Inc.,  Mechanical Engineering Tables and Charts. MRII,
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Potter, Philip J. Power Plant Theory and Design , Second Edition. The Ronald Press
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Stewart, Harry L. & Philbin, Tom. Pumps, Revised Edition. Macmillan Publishing
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