Michael R. Lindeburg, PE, is one of the best-known authors of engineering textbooks and references. His books and courses have influenced millions of engineers around the world. Since 1975, he has authored more than 35 engineering reference and exam preparation books. He has spent thousands of hours teaching engineering to students and practicing engineers. He holds bachelor of science and master of science degrees in industrial engineering from Stanford University.

Most chapters in Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam 15th Edition are independent. Start with any one and look through it. Use the index extensively. Decide if you are going to work problems in that topic. If so, solve as many problemsin that topic as time allows. Do not stop studying until the exam. Start right now! Quickly! Goodluck.

If you are preparing for the PE exam in civil engineering, the following suggestions may help.

• Find out the current edition of this book. You might be reading this book long after it was published. Newer editions mean that the codes, standards, and regulations on which the exam is based are not represented in the older edition,that the exam body of knowledge has changed, and/or the exam format and policies have changed. Older editions are no longer appropriate for the current exam, and it is not reasonable for you to expect an older edition to serve your needs when it is out of date.
• Become intimately familiar with this book. This means knowing the order of the chapters, the approximate locations of important figures and tables, what appendices are available, and so on.