Calccol – calculations for column towers

calccol1CALCCOL is a software designed to calculate the resistance of column towers. CALCCOL can quickly adapt to the changes of the columns’ dimensions, and, also, it can take into account the aleatory character of the wind and earthquakes. In CALCCOL one can input the characteristics of the working environment (using the variable corrosion allowance), and the characteristics of the column material.

The main window of the program covers three areas. In the left side, there is some data regarding the dimensions and the filling of the column.

In the center, there is some different information that will be displayed after the correct calculation of the dimensions of the column, and after the hydraulic, wind, and seismic calculations.

calccol2Regarding the column’s wind resistance, we have:

– the number of sections is automatically computed by the program, however it can be modified by the user;

– there are introduced other sizes, and the speed of the wind, which is compared to the critical speed, is calculated.

When the user presses the „Draw” button, the software makes a graphical representation (at a reduced scale) of the sections of the columns. The driving and fluctuating forces will be represented, based on the direction, sense and speed of the wind.

calccol3In the right side will be represented a graph of the driving and fluctuating forces, one for each section.

The software performs seismic calculations in a similar way.

When the program is running, you can choose from the menu the following options:

Material – Select material – standard materials can be chosen, and new materials may be added or erased.

For each material of the program database are presented the breaking resistance, the flowing limit anf\d other characteristics of the material.

Setting the work environment – The degree of corrosion resistance is chosen from the program database (between 1 and 9).

Setting the tabilirea the emplacement of the column – in relation with the soil’s level.

Sizing the cylindrical corpus – the user will enter the full height of the column, the inner pressure, the inner diameter, the quality coefficient of the weld string, as well as the number of the years of exploitation.

The allowed tension is taken over from the characteristics of the material.

The program calculates the resistance thickness, the additions and the final thickness (which is standardised).

 

calccol5Depending on the cover’s height and on the previous data, there are calculated:

  • the radius of curvature at the centre of the cover;
  • the thickness of resistance and the total thickness;
  • the addition up to the standardised value.

After calculating all the dimensions of the column, the program performs the checking of the the columns’ resistance at different types of commands.

First of all, it is made the checking during the hydraulic performance, and then during the wind and seismic one.

calccol6The checking at the hydraulic pressure test – the program allows us to calculate the pressure of hydraulic test. If the value is appropriate, the column passes the test, but if not, the program may choose a suitable value for the total thickness of the cylinder, the calculations being remade.