I am in the process of converting the SLS design related functions in the RC Design Functions spreadsheet to Python code. The current version can be downloaded from: py_RC Elastic.zip For details of the pyxll app required to conect the Python code to Excel see Python and pyxll The functions currently available are: py_EStress, py_EStressCap, py_PLCurve, py_TStiff: MomCurveTSN: py_CircE ..read more

The RC Design Functions spreadsheet has now been updated to Version 9.06, and is available for free download from: RC Design Functions9.zip The new version fixes a problem with the MomcurveTS function, which was returning an error for any input strain greater than 0.0005. An example of the updated function is shown in the screenshot below: For more details of how the function works, and how to use it, see: https://newtonexcelbach.com/2015/10/13/solving-non-linear-equations-with-two-or-more-unknowns-4 ..read more

It seems there is a problem with the certificate for my downloads folder, which generates security warnings if anyone tries to download anything. I am working on fixing that, but in the meantime the link below should allow download of any of the files posted here: Download files Please let me know if any problems downloading, or if anything is missing ..read more

… with Excel, Python and pyxll. The problem involves the lifting of a precast concrete panel (or any other long thin object) with lifting points at four sections along the length of the panel, and with the load connected to the crane hook through 3 slings with 3 pulleys: The spreadsheet 4PointLift.xlsb has been added to the py_SciPy download, along with two new Python functions added to the pyScipy3.py file. The updated files can be downloaded from: py_SciPy.zip The spreadsheet uses the pyxll add-in to call Python code from Excel. See pyxll for more details and download. Assumptions ..read more

This post features code using the pyxll add-in to call Python code from Excel. See pyxll for more details and downlod. A recent issue of New Scientist had a series of puzzles finishing with: how many integers between 1 and 1 million have the property that 1/3 of their factors are divisible by 3. This can actually be solved without factorising 1 million numbers, which is the point of the puzzle, but it is an interesting exercise to write the code to do it the brute force way in a reasonable time. First a function to list all the factors of any input integer: def py_factors1(n): factlist ..read more

The py_UMom and py_ULS Design Functions have now been updated and can be downloaded from: py_UMom.zip py_ULS Design Functions More details of the two spreadsheets can be found at Python Code Updates – py_UMom and ULS Design Functions – Python version. The most significant updates are: The calculation of the effective depth for longitudinal force due to shear has been updated to be consistent with the Australian code requirements. An example of the py_UMomR function has been added to the py_UMom spreadsheet. The py_UMomR function has the same simplified input as py_UMom, specifying ..read more

A (comparatively) recent YouTube of Anne Briggs from her brief return to public performances in 1990-91: Anne Briggs – The Jim Lloyd Sessions, 1990-91 Anne Briggs made two appearances on Jim Lloyd’s ‘Folk on Two’ during her brief 1990-91 return to live performance. On 7/11/90, the show broadcast ‘Martinmas Time’ from Salisbury Arts Centre, recorded during a short tour with Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick. On 20/2/91 she was live in the studio, interviewed by Jim and performing four songs. The photos here include: three taken by Eamonn O’Docherty in Ireland 1967; one taken by me in Lincoln ..read more

The death of Melanie Safka was reported yesterday. She was best known for her work in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, but she continued performing throughout her life. Here is a small selection from her live performances over the years. MELANIE 26 minutes of bliss – 1971: When I was a young man living in England there was a series of “In Concert” TV programmes broadcast with singer / songwriters of the day including Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell and of course Melanie Safka. This particular short “concert” was recorded in London on 14/7/1971 and broadcast 8/1/1972. I remember being mesmer ..read more

Microsoft recently announced two new functions that provide similar functionality to pivot tables, but will update automatically for any change in the referenced data. These functions are currently rolling out to users enrolled in the beta channel for Windows Excel and Mac Excel. I’m excited to announce Excel’s new GROUPBY and PIVOTBY functions. These functions allow you to perform data aggregations using a single formula. And while these functions are extremely powerful, they are also simple to get started with. In fact, you can do a data aggregation with just 3 arguments ..read more

In the final post in this series I will look at linking Excel to the Scipy special, distance, space and constants functions and also the Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) functions. The py_Special-Dist and py_FFT spreadsheet, with associated Python code in PythonSpaceFuncs3.py and pyScipy3.py, are included in the download file. There have been significant changes since the previous post, so download the latest version at: py_SciPy.zip Details of the required pyxll package (including download, free trial, and full documentation) can be found at: pyxll For those installing a new copy of pyxll, a ..read more