Suncam Continuing Education Author: Kelly McAtee, PE, LEED A.P.

Course Title Rating Hours Price

162-Introduction to Compound Channel Flow Analysis for Floodplains

(3.8) 8 Reviews

4 $90.00

Course Objectives: This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.

Course Description:

Cross-sections of natural and restored waterways are generally composite compound channels as opposed to single geometric shapes with one constant roughness. This course covers eight composite compound channel analysis methods. Differences between the methods and typical applications of each method are discussed. The course also provides example calculations for each method. A few common hydraulic software programs are briefly introduced and the concepts and analysis methods they utilize are discussed.

346-Tiny Houses Part 1 - Planning and Design Considerations, Legality, and the Engineer's Role

(4.9) 55 Reviews

4 $90.00

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Course Objectives: After completing this course participants should be able to:

1. Understand the differences between tiny houses on wheels, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes.
2. Recognize the professional services opportunities in the tiny house industry available to engineers.
3. Comprehend the challenges in determining where and how tiny houses on foundations and tiny houses on wheels may be legally placed.
4. Identify the different building/manufacturing standards available for a tiny house on wheels and the pros and cons of each standard.
5. Understand the importance of the addition of Appendix Q to the 2018 International Residential Code.
6. Know the reasoning behind maximum width and maximum height thresholds for mass produced tiny houses on wheels and how and when to exceed these thresholds.

Course Description:

This course serves as an introduction to designing tiny houses (houses 400 square feet or less in size). The majority of this multi-part course series focuses on tiny houses mounted on trailers which are often referred to as tiny houses on wheels (THOW). This introduction covers general planning and design considerations regarding trailers, appliances, utility connections, floor plans, and lofts. It also goes over the legal issues concerning construction standards and physical placement of both THOW and tiny houses on foundations. The basis of this course came from my own research, planning, designing, and construction of a THOW I built myself.

347-Tiny Houses Part 2 - Structural Design

(5) 26 Reviews

4 $90.00

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Course Objectives: After completing this course participants should be able to:

1. Understand the pros and cons of using wood and metal structural framing members.
2. Size floor joists and roof joists using tables from the International Residential Code.
3. Calculate the size of wood loft joists and window headers using allowable stress design methodologies.
4. Recognize when advanced framing techniques are useful or not useful in given situations.
5. Recall additional structural measures often used for highly mobile tiny houses on wheels.

Course Description:

This course is part two of a multi-part course series on designing tiny houses (houses 400 square feet or less in size). The majority of this multi-part course focuses on tiny houses mounted on trailers, which are often referred to as tiny houses on wheels (THOW). This second course focuses on structural design. Also presented are specific techniques to structurally handle the mobile nature of THOW. Both prescriptive and engineered methodologies are used. Five extensive examples with calculations and 35 figures and photos are included. The basis of this course came from my own research, planning, designing, and construction of a THOW I built myself.

368-Tiny Houses Part 3 - Building Enclosure Design

(4.9) 15 Reviews

4 $90.00

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Course Objectives: After completing this course participants should be able to:

1. Understand the importance of climate zones as they relate to tiny house insulation and vapor retarder requirements.
2. Comprehend the differences between vented and unvented roof assemblies.
3. Recognize the code approved, and most commonly used, materials for THOW roofs and exterior siding.
4. Identify the most common interior finish materials used in THOW and why some materials used commonly for THOW are different than those used for tiny houses on foundations.

Course Description:

This course is part three of a multi-part course series on designing tiny houses (houses 400 square feet or less in size). The majority of this multi-part course focuses on tiny houses mounted on trailers, which are often referred to as tiny houses on wheels (THOW). This third course focuses on building enclosure design: insulation, air sealing, roof assemblies, ventilation, exterior siding, doors, windows, and interior finishes. Over 60 figures and photos are included. The basis of this course came from my own research, planning, designing, and construction of a THOW I built myself.

404-Tiny Houses Part 4 - Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems

(4.9) 11 Reviews

4 $90.00

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Course Objectives: After completing this course participants should be able to:

1.    Understand the basic components that make up each MEP system.
2.    Size various MEP system components in accordance with building code requirements.
3.    Identify key differences between designing and installing MEP systems in THOW and traditionally built dwellings.
4.    Comprehend the importance and impact of selecting various energy sources for mechanical equipment and appliances.

Course Description:

This course is part of a multi-part course series on designing tiny houses (houses 400 square feet or less in size). The majority of this multi-part course focuses on tiny houses mounted on trailers, which are often referred to as tiny houses on wheels (THOW). This fourth course focuses on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Over 50 figures and photos are included. The basis of this course came from my own research, planning, designing, and construction of a THOW I built myself.

408-The Hardy Cross Method and its Successors in Water Distribution Modeling

(4.9) 18 Reviews

4 $90.00

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Course Objectives: This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
1.    Hydraulic concepts necessary for understanding various pipe network analysis methods
2.    The history behind the development of the Hardy Cross method
3.    The basic principles the Hardy Cross method is based on and the step-by-step procedures used for pipe network analysis
4.    The differences between the Hardy Cross and Modified/Improved Hardy Cross methods
5.    Some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the Hardy Cross method
6.    The differences between loop methods, node methods, flow methods, and gradient/node-loop methods for analyzing pipe networks
7.    The basic concept of the Newton-Raphson method
8.    The basic concept and application of the Linear Theory method
9.    The basic concept and application of the Gradient method
10.    A timeline of water distribution modeling advances from 1960 to 2020
11.    The head loss methods and hydraulic balancing methods used by common hydraulic modeling software programs
12.    Introduces leading modeling software developers, programs, and their basic capabilities

Course Description:

Water distribution system models have become very important and practical tools for civil engineers. Models are often used to optimize the design of new distribution systems or analyze major extensions or modifications to existing distribution systems. Computer models help engineers answer many common questions. For example, what is the maximum fire flow at a given point in the system? How long can that fire flow be provided for? What size pipe installation would be necessary between two points in a system to increase the pressure at one of the points to the minimum pressure required? If a subdivision or commercial development is built, will adequate pressures and flows exist? If not, what length and size of water mains must be upgraded by the developer to allow for the proposed construction?

In the 1930s the Hardy Cross method provided a breakthrough in pipe network analysis. Later, the advent of the modern computer allowed for analysis of even larger distribution systems using the method. Despite the development of more efficient computer algorithms, the Hardy Cross method remains the pipe network analysis method taught to most undergraduate civil engineering majors.

This course covers the history, basic principles, assumptions, step-by-step procedures, advantages, and disadvantages for solving pipe network problems using the Hardy Cross method. The three predominate analysis methods used by water distribution modeling software over the past 40 years are introduced and explained (the Newton-Raphson, Linear Theory, and Gradient methods). At the end of the course material a summary of some popular public-domain and commercial hydraulic models is presented. A total of ten example problems and solutions are included throughout the course to reinforce learning. The primary audiences for this course are consulting and municipal engineers in the water resource and environmental fields.

479-Tiny Houses Part 5 - Highly Mobile and Off-Grid Case Studies

(5) 8 Reviews

5 $112.50

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Course Objectives: After completing this course participants should be able to:

1.    Understand what potential solutions exist for a tiny house’s water source(s), wastewater treatment or disposal system(s), and energy source(s).
2.    Identify what solutions are feasible for a variety of situations or given scenarios.
3.    Size an off-grid solar photovoltaic system array and battery bank.
4.    Apply “toolbox” information and calculation methods to case studies and/or real life.

Course Description:

This course is part of a multi-part course series on designing tiny houses (houses 400 square feet or less in size). This fifth course presents case studies related to highly mobile tiny houses on wheels (THOW) and off-grid tiny houses, whether THOW or tiny houses on foundations (THOF). Prior to the case studies, a “toolbox” of flowcharts, methods, and products is given to help show possible solutions for tiny house water, wastewater, and energy needs. Six examples and five case studies are included. Much of the basis of this course came from my own research, planning, designing, and construction of a THOW I built myself and the subsequent search for a property to place it on. This course is intended as a stand-alone course, meaning you can take it without having taken previous courses in the series. Certain topics and background are covered in greater detail previously in the series, so when appropriate, I make reference to other courses.

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