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Masonry Calculators

· 3 min read
Mark Hagel
Executive Director of Alberta Masonry Council
John Yu
University Researcher

Masonry is the building of structures from individual units, which are often laid in and bound together by mortar.

masonry

Authors​

Dr. Mark D. Hagel is the Executive Director of Alberta Masonry Council and has kindly made his masonry calculators available on MecSimCalc. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and Applied Mathematics, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering all from the University of Calgary. Mark’s fields of expertise include thermal and hygrothermal modeling of building systems, corrosion modeling, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, structural analysis and design, and the durability of building components. In 2018 Mark served on the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) working group that developed the Guideline on Design for Durability of the Building Envelope.

John Yu is a university researcher who converted Dr. Hagel's excel files into MecSimCalc apps.

Thermal calculation apps​

Thermal calculation appDescription
BVCU Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field (Uo) and linear transmittance (psi) values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Concrete Block Unit (BVCU) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
BVWS Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field Uo and linear transmittance values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Concrete Block Unit (BVCU) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
BVSS Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field Uo and linear transmittance values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Steel Stud (BVSS) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
Thermal Bridging Assembly CalculationAn App based on the BC hydro/Fortis/Powersmart “Enhanced Thermal Performance Spreadsheet”. The app calculates the impact on the clear field of a wall elevation from the thermal bridging effects of linear transmittances (foundation, floor, roof, corner, window/doors) and point transmittances (signage, etc.)

Life cycle cost analysis apps​

Life cycle cost analysis appDescription
Cladding Life Cost ComparisonAn App that calculates the cost of up to three different cladding systems for a given building service life, inflation rate and discount rate using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).
Building Envelope Life Cost Comparison CalculatorAn App that calculates the cost of up to three different cladding AND roofing systems for a given building service life, inflation rate and discount rate using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).

Carbon sequestration apps​

Carbon sequestration appDescription
CMU Block Wall Carbon CalculatorAn App to calculate the amount of carbon sequestered when constructing with concrete block masonry.
Brick Veneer Carbon CalculatorAn App to calculate the amount of carbon sequestered when constructing with clay brick veneer.

Circuit Analysis Calculators

· 2 min read
Daren Trinh
MecSimCalc COO

This blog post is dedicated to circuit analysis calculators created for MecSimCalc.

AppDescription
Thevenin Equivalent Circuit CalculatorThis app shows the Thevenin equivalent circuit for a simple circuit with a parallel load. The Thevenin voltage, Thevenin resistance and current flowing through the load resistor is returned.
Voltage Divider CalculatorThis is an app for a voltage divider circuit. The user first inputs the input voltage (V), and the values of two resistors (Ω, kΩ, MΩ). Using the inputs and the voltage divider equation, the output voltage (V) measured across resistor 2 is returned.
Current Divider CalculatorThis is an app for a current divider circuit. The user inputs an input voltage (V) and the values of up to 5 resistors (Ω) in parallel. After finding the total current, the calculator uses the current divider equation to generate a table showing the various current (A) flowing through each resistor.
Op-Amp Gain and Output Voltage CalculatorOperational amplifiers are an active circuit component commonly used in various circuits. This app uses an op-amp in two common configurations, an inverting and non-inverting amplifier. The user selects which configuration they are using, the value of the input resistor (Ω, kΩ, MΩ), the feedback resistor (Ω, kΩ, MΩ) and the input voltage (V). Depending on the circuit chosen, a gain and the corresponding output voltage is calculated and displayed as well as an image of the circuit schematic.
Parallel Resistance CalculatorThis app calculates the equivalent resistance of a circuit containing resistors in parallel. The user inputs up to 8 resistors (Ω) and using the parallel resistance equation, an equivalent resistance for the circuit is returned.
Resistor Color Code Calculator (4 Band)This app decodes the value of a 4 band axial lead resistor. The user selects 4 colors (left to right), and the corresponding resistance value and tolerance is given.

Pharmacy Tools

· One min read
Weichen Qiu
Weichen Qiu
MecSimCalc Co-founder
Samer Adeeb
Samer Adeeb
MecSimCalc Co-founder

At MecSimCalc, our hope is to bring industries still using spreadsheets and PDFs online. With MecSimCalc, it is now possible to share tools easier and run calculations faster than ever before.

This blog post is dedicated to Pharmacy tools that we have converted from PDF files into interactive online tools.

ToolSource
Diabetes RiskHealth Canada
Body Surface Area (BSA)Pharmacists.ca
Body Surface Area in Infants, Children or AdultsPharmacists.ca
Ideal Body Weight (IBW)Pharmacists.ca
Adjusted Body Weight (ABW)Pharmacists.ca
Creatinine Clearance (ClCr)Pharmacists.ca
Framingham Risk Score (FRS)Canadian Cardiovascular Society
UKPDS Cardiac Risk CalculatorMDApp

CSA S16-19 CivE Calculators

· 3 min read
Rana El Sadig
University researcher

I’ve spent the last month creating apps for the purpose of designing flexural members, compression members, tension members, and beam-columns in accordance with CSA S16-19.

First, I had to learn Python. I took a 12-hour beginners course which was sufficient for learning the basics to Python, however not specific enough to be able to code the apps and get them to function as desired. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online and through watching YouTube tutorials, I was able to code the apps. Overall, learning python required lots of trial and error but was overall a smooth process due to the available resources.

I also had a very good experience using MecSimCalc as I found it incredibly easy to use and efficient, and it did not take long to adjust to.

Five applications have been created for design calculations in accordance with CSA S16-19. All applications require an input of the Cross Section, Yield Strength, and Unbraced Length of the member. The applications and their capabilities are presented below.

CalculatorDescription
Design of Flexural Members with W-SectionThis application computes the Section Class, Plastic or Yield Flexural Moment, Factored Flexural Moment Resistance, and Factored Shear Resistance of W-Sections under uniformly distributed load. Along with the mentioned inputs, there is also a lateral support option. If the beam is laterally unsupported, the Equivalent Moment Factor and Critical Elastic Flexural Moment are also computed for the purpose of calculating the Factored Moment Resistance.
Design of Compression MembersThis application checks the Width-to-Thickness Ratio, Slenderness, and computes the Factored Compression Resistance for W-Sections and HSS. Along with the general inputs for the CSA apps, there is also the option of support conditions, which is used to determine the Effective Length Factor in the Factored Compression Resistance calculations. If the compression member does not pass the Width-to-Thickness Ratio Check, the app stops there as the predicted resistance cannot actually be reached.
Design of Tension MembersThis application calculates the Factored Tensile Resistance based on gross section yielding and performs a Serviceability Limit State (SLS) vibration check for W-Sections and HSS.
W-Section Beam-Columns under Major Axis BendingThis application performs the four limit state checks for Beam-Columns with W-Sections under major axis bending. Along with the general inputs, the app requires the user to input the Factored Compression Load, Smaller End Factored Moment, Larger End Factored Moment, Frame Type, and Moment Distribution. The four limit states that are checked are: Cross-Sectional Strength, Overall Member Strength, Lateral-Torsional Buckling Strength, and Moment Check.
W-Section Beam-Columns under Biaxial BendingThis application performs the four limit state checks for Beam-Columns with W-Sections under biaxial bending. The inputs and outputs are similar to the app for Beam-Columns under major axis bending.

Starter Calculators

· 6 min read
Darius Fang
University researcher
Saif Husnain
University researcher
Qian Zheng
PhD student in Civil Engineering
Weichen Qiu
Weichen Qiu
MecSimCalc Co-founder
Samer Adeeb
Samer Adeeb
MecSimCalc Co-founder

The following are free-to-use calculators developed by researchers at the University of Alberta for a variety of disciplines.

Civil Engineering​

AppCategoryDescription
CSA S16-1Structural EngineeringAn application to determine class, moments and maximum shear of W section Steel beams.
CSA S16-2Structural EngineeringGives all beams with specified input
CSA S16 Tension MemberStructural EngineeringCSA S16 Tension Member
CSA S16 Compression MemberStructural EngineeringCSA S16 Compression Member
CSA S16 FlexureStructural EngineeringCSA S16 Flexure
Strain Demand in Pipes Subjected to Ground MovementPipeline EngineeringThis page analyzes the response of the pipe to ground movements induced by geotechnical activities, e.g., ground heave and subsidence, slope instability, landslides, liquefaction-induced action, and tectonic faults.
Stress Design of Straight Pipe According to CSA Z662.19Pipeline EngineeringCSA Z662.19 provides equations limiting the circumferential and longitudinal stresses in steel pipelines. Given the pipe properties and field conditions, this page performs the required checks according to sections 4.3.5.1, 4.7, and 4.8.
Stress Strain Curve of Steel MaterialsPipeline EngineeringThis page calculates converts the Engineering stress-strain curve to true stress-strain curve using the well known conversion equations. The page outputs the stress-plastic strain data required by some finite element analysis software and provides the best-fit Ramberg-Osgood approximation to the given data.

Electrical Engineering​

AppCategoryDescription
Processor ComparisonHardware EngineeringCompares two processors by utilizing benchmark times for different programs.
Discrete Signals Difference EquationsSignal ProcessingAn application to determine values of a difference equation. Assumptions are sets the x(n)=δ(n) (the impulse function) and y(n)=0 for n<0. Make sure n is greater than the size of Y coefficients.
ConvolutionSignal ProcessingAn application to determine x[n]*h[n] = y[n]. The input contains the n index of each coefficient, such as the first element is n = 0 for the x function.
Circular ConvolutionSignal ProcessingAn application to determine the circular convolution of 2 functions.
Floating point binary numbersBinaryFloating point numbers can be represented using IEEE 754 in binary. This system uses one sign bit, then a set number of exponent (k) bits and finally, fraction (n) bits. Depending on the number of these bits, the representations of numbers change as well. This calculator is made with the intention of getting the largest floating point number possible as well as the largest integer. There are restrictions on the number of bits that can be checked, due to an overflow possibility in python.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Reading a FileHardware EngineeringBest and random cases of the time an HDD will take to read over a file. Assumes both block size and sector size are the same

Chemistry​

AppCategoryDescription
Thermo Question Type 1ThermodynamicsAn application to determine quality given certain knowns and unknowns. Known variable values must correspond to Thermo tables.
Thermo Question Type 2ThermodynamicsAn application to determine particular unknown given certain knowns. Known variable values must correspond to Thermo tables.
Thermo Question Type 1bThermodynamicsAn application to determine a specific value given certain knowns and unknowns. Known variable values must correspond to Thermo tables.
DiagramsThermodynamicsAn application to graph Pv and Tv graphs.

Physics​

AppCategoryDescription
Thin Lens EquationOpticsKnowing the distance an object is from a lens, we can determine the focal length and the magnification.
Thin Compound Lens EquationOpticsWe can find combined focal length of two lens. If d is input as being greater than f_1, then it will be assumed that d is 0.
Lensmaker EquationOpticsThe lens maker equation can be used to find both the Power and focal length of a thick lens and a thin lens if the thickness tends to 0.
Snell's LawOpticsThis application will derive the angle of refraction using Snell's Law.
Coulomb's LawElectrostaticCoulomb's Law with three point charges

Business and Finance​

AppCategoryDescription
Antique LampsMax Profit EstimationAn application to maximize profits, with the given types of lamps, bass, and platinum. Maximize, has 2 inputs with their coefficients. Assembly has 3 inputs, each being its respective coefficients, and Max demand has 1 input. The coefficients are aB+ bP = cC where B is brass, P is platinum, and C is the constant, with the input [a,b,c]. The inputs are interpreted into functions where it is drawn on the graph. There will be a feasible region where all boundaries will be satisfied. The program then picks all the intersections within the feasible region(note that some points will not be accounted for). The output just gives the profits given at that point on the graph.
Cattle ProfitMax Profit EstimationAn application to maximize profits (only gives boundaries), the first table consists of the first element being the regular, and the 2nd being the premium. The second table consists of the first element being alfalfa and the second being barley. This can also be translated such as the required material for a toy car to be inputted, but in this case it is just using cattle profit as the output. The program basically just gives the boundaries and conditions of what to expect before proceeding onto the next step.