I've made a GWT app that calculates an optimum solution for one dimensional cutting of lengths of bars. It is a pretty simple implementation, in fact the algorithm used is the most naive possible. The algorithm itself is a fun one to study, and there are some interesting ones out there that solve the problem. Later I hope to include 2D plate cuts as those are harder to solve on paper, especially if there is a saw thickness.
This came in handy recently where I needed to purchase set lengths of steel sections, and I've changed the dimensions in places to avoid purchasing 20 feet of bar and using about 4 feet of it and wasting the rest. With "small" orders such as that for my current project, the price can jump about quite a bit for this reason so even just one analysis of what lengths to purchase would influence the price to a significant extent.
Find it here.
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Hello World!
This is my first blog post. I am a doctoral student in Civil Engineering, and I like figuring out the way things work. My project is a study on the way steel frames behave in earthquakes. It is great in terms of getting exposed to a range of problem solving techniques, including but not limited to: Finite Element Modelling (continuum and stick models), 3D Computer Models (in place of 2D drawings), automation of design calculations.
Besides Civil Engineering, I do enjoy programming quite a bit. It is a bit of a hammer looking for a nail sometimes though; at times two pages of calculations with a pencil are plenty sufficient. Other times, there is so much repetition and rigid rules that it simply makes more sense to program some subroutines.
The point of this blog is more for me to formally complete and publish any personal projects I like to play around with. They may or may not always have something to do with Civil, but I do hope any calculators or write ups of past experiences are of use to someone.
I'll keep this updated from time to time when I create something of interest, generally as I complete my PhD tasks, some things that I wish I had known before starting become apparent and these stubs of knowledge might be of interest.
This is my first blog post. I am a doctoral student in Civil Engineering, and I like figuring out the way things work. My project is a study on the way steel frames behave in earthquakes. It is great in terms of getting exposed to a range of problem solving techniques, including but not limited to: Finite Element Modelling (continuum and stick models), 3D Computer Models (in place of 2D drawings), automation of design calculations.
Besides Civil Engineering, I do enjoy programming quite a bit. It is a bit of a hammer looking for a nail sometimes though; at times two pages of calculations with a pencil are plenty sufficient. Other times, there is so much repetition and rigid rules that it simply makes more sense to program some subroutines.
The point of this blog is more for me to formally complete and publish any personal projects I like to play around with. They may or may not always have something to do with Civil, but I do hope any calculators or write ups of past experiences are of use to someone.
I'll keep this updated from time to time when I create something of interest, generally as I complete my PhD tasks, some things that I wish I had known before starting become apparent and these stubs of knowledge might be of interest.
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