Stereograms, when looked at the right way, reveal a hidden 3D image, or perhaps a hidden message.
The example above was created at:
As well as a very simple tool to create your own stereograms, there are many excellent examples, and background information on ways to see the hidden image.
Another one of mine:
The RC Design Functions spreadsheet has now been updated to Version 9.01, and is available for free download from:
The UMomPF function returns ultimate bending and axial load capacity to the Eurocode 2 and BS 5400 design codes. It has now been updated to also return shear capacity, and modified bending capacity, allowing for the additional tensile force in the longitudinal steel due to the shear force. Note that in the current version there is no provision for design for torsion.
The main data input array is the same as for the UMom function:
Shear reinforcement and related data input is different to UMom:
The last two input values are only required for Eurocode 2:
If the Cot(strut angle) input is not entered (or is outside the range 1.0 to 2.5) the function adjusts the angle so that the maximum shear controlled by concrete compression is equal to the shear capacity of the shear reinforcement:
In this example the shear capacity (712 kN) is well over the applied shear, but the adjusted moment capacity (492 kNm) is less than the applied moment.
Entering a Cot Theta value of 1.2 reduces the shear capacity and also reduces the additional longitudinal force:
The reduced shear capacity of 508 kN is greater than the applied shear (500 kN), but the adjusted moment capacity (547 kNm) is still just under the bending moment at the section.
Entering a moment of 650 kNm as the maximum moment along the beam reduces the additional longitudinal force to 207 kN, and the adjusted bending capacity increases to 589 kNm:
The shear capacity calculation in BS 5400 is simpler, and the Cot Theta and maximum moment values input have no effect on the results:
In this case the shear capacity is greater than the final value found using Eurocode 2, but the bending capacity is significantly lower, and after adjustment for shear it is below the required value.
… and other palindromes
I linked to Dan & Dan’s Daily Mail Song 10 years ago, but I only just discovered another of their works that is even more appropriate for this forum:
To find out why it is appropriate, view it on YouTube, and click on “more”.
The Dan & naD video prompted me to revisit some other palindromes, including:
Douglas Hofstadter’s Crab Canon
MC Escher’s Crab Canon:
JS Bach’s Crab Canon:
and finally Weird Al Yankovic’s “Bob”
The RC Design Functions 9.0 spreadsheet is now available for free download from:
The main change is update of shear capacity calculations for the latest versions of the Australian codes; AS 3600 and AS 5100.
Shear data input now includes:
Shear results can be returned from the UMom function with the output index (offs1) 11 or 12, with 11 returning a summary of shear capacities and 12 a detailed listing of data from the shear caalculation:
If the “Use Simplified” option is set to “False” (default) the bending capacities are also re-calculated with the available longitudinal reinforcement area reduced by the area required for the input shear and torsion:
The UMom function calls a new function, ASShear, for the shear capacity calculation. This function may also be called directly as a user defined function, which returns the full output listing as a single column:
Note that the provisions of the current versions of AS 3600 and AS 5100.5 are sometimes inconsistent, and a further revision of AS 5100.5 is expected later this year. Further details of the new requirements for shear and torsion calculations will be published in future posts.
The function returns my interpretation of the current requirements of each code. As always, the results must be independently checked before using for any real appication.
Dreamers’ Circus is a Danish folk/indie band who have been around since 2009, but I have only just discovered them.
Here is an example of their work, featuring the clog fiddle:
“About the clog-fiddle: You take an old clog shoe, cut away the upper part, and put some violin-stuff on top of it, like strings and most notably a violin neck. Popularized in the first decade of the last century by the famous Swedish string trio, Källnatrion, this instrument used to be the poor man’s alternative to the expensive and hard-to-get violin. Now Ale and a handful of other extreme enthusiasts are working hard to bring this noble instrument out to the world to share the masterworks of the clog-fiddle-luthiers från Skåne, Sweden. Ale was titled world champion of the clog fiddle at the 2017 championship in Skåne.”
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