Hex Tank Volume Calculator

[Ptarmigan]

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[Dubby]

Someone a few days ago was having problems calculating the volume of their hexagonal tank and could not find a calculator on the web.
That sounded like a good project for learning some javascript programing !

So here is my experimental prototype
http/uk.geocities.com/ptarmigana/fish/hex.htm

Two questions for y'all
(1) anyone got a hex tank who can check the results of my calculator against practical reality ?
(2) anyone remember who it was that wanted this ? I lost their post

Nice one. Good luck with your programing

 

[ncjharris]

Good programme. Assumes of course that the sides of the hex are equal.
But mind you if they weren't then it wouldn't be a hex..........

Just ignore me.

Good work.

 

[gayno]

Good program,

although, I am curious as to how the surface area is worked out using only the length of a side. Am I right in thinking you have used trigonometry to work out a constant that when used in a calculation, will give the width of the tank (ie. side to opposite side)?? By my thinking, this length is required, as 3 dimensions are needed in a calculation to work out a volume.

Wow, I think that is the smartest thing I have ever said!

Adam

 

[Ptarmigan]

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[gayno]

OK, obviously not wanting to steal your thunder here, but I had to work this out for myself! (and you also asked us to check it for you ) Also, as I do not have a scientific calculator to hand, i cannot prove nor disprove your calculation.

In the end, I have simplified the calculation down to the following:

Surface Area = 3 x (L^2) x 0.866

Volume = Surface Area x Height of tank

You can use any measurement, bearing in mind that the volume will be that measurement cubed [ie. cm will give answer of cm cubed] its then the conversion of this volume into litres/gallons.

1000cm cubed is equal to 1 litre
4546cm cubed is equal to 1 UK (imperial) gallon
3785cm cubed is equal to 1 US gallon

277.4 inches cubed is equal to 1 UK (imperial) gallon
231 inches cubed is equal to 1 US gallon

Adam

 

[chrisnewmanuk]

Volume of a hex tank is simply (!):

where l = length of a side and h = height of side

 

[gayno]

Volume of a hex tank is simply (!):


where l = length of a side and h = height of side

....Would You stop stalking me...

Adam

 

[Ptarmigan]

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[gayno]

Thanks Adam and thanks Chris for taking the time to check.

So thanks guys for the check, seems that I'm on the right track !!

No problem, although you need only thank us once...Chris is my boss [hence the stalking comment ], and we spent nearly an hour this afternoon debating/researching/calculating/proving it to each other!! But as we came up with different formulae for the same thing, we both posted our findings!!

However, the calculation you used [which is the same as what we came up with] will ONLY apply when all the sides are the same length and all at the same angle to the adjacent panel, this should be an internal angle of 120 degrees.

Adam

 

[chrisnewmanuk]

 

[Ptarmigan]

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[gayno]

Glad that I was able to help entertain you during your coffee break, hehee,

I wouldn't call it entertainment! My brain seriously hurt after we got to our conclusions!

 

[chrisnewmanuk]

Glad that I was able to help entertain you during your coffee break, hehee,

I wouldn't call it entertainment! My brain seriously hurt after we got to our conclusions!

aww bless

 

[miss_pixie]

just thought i'd add my version of this (unfortunatly, i'm a metric person so have no idea on the conversion into inches or gallons)

(3*L*(1+sqrt 1/3))*h

honestly it looks a lot simplier on paper

also and 1+sqrt 1/3 could be used as 1.577
so further simplifying it to:

V=(4.732*L)*H

edited to correct the problem -brackets!
in metric you either have to enter lengths in mm and divide by 1000,
or in cm it has to be divided by 100, to get Litres