Calculation exercises are usually used in engineering courses to help students understand the problem-solving procedures. Also, engineering students are familiar with this kind of learning methodology. However, there are few computer aided systems to support students learning through calculation exercises. This research models the solving-procedures of Reinforced Concrete Design exercises using Petri-nets which are powerful tool for workflow control, simulation, and diagnosis. A diagnosis strategy is proposed based on the comparison between two networks of Petri-nets which are established to model both teacher’s and learner’s solving-procedures. A prototype of Petri-nets based computer aided system is presented to evaluate and demonstrate the diagnosis strategy and exercise tutoring process. The scope of exercises provided by the prototype system focuses on analysis and design of rectangular beams with tension reinforcement. An application example has been provided to demonstrate that proposed strategy can efficiently diagnose learner’s trouble via monitoring learner’s solving-procedures for a goal-oriented exercise.