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2 posts tagged with "Civil Engineering"

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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.

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.