Using computer spreadsheets in engineering and education

A Lotus 1-2-3 template worksheet that does calculations and gives the results in their common graphical forms is described for use in two areas of machine design: calculations using the Mohr circle and fatigue failure design. The purpose of these spreadsheet templates is to relieve the user of many of the tedious tasks required to solve design problems. In both templates the ease of performing calculations makes it possible to have the students try several possible solutions to a problem. Particularly in the case of fatigue design this approach is much more realistic than having the students laboriously work through one or two examples of a complicated design.<
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