Unleashing The Potential of MS Excel
Far beyond its reputation as a spreadsheet program, Excel emerges as a versatile tool. The aim here is to showcase the profound impact Excel can have in streamlining complex engineering tasks, demonstrating its versatility as a formidable asset in the hands of designers, analysts, and project managers. This page lists down some of the innovative excel programs that I created during my professional and academic journey.
Excel is conventionally known for its role in tabulated data analysis and pivot charts. However, it can be transformed into an interactive interface, akin to HTML+CSS+Javascript experiences. In this article, we explore three examples of Excel sheets that go beyond conventional tabular calculations and simplistic data visualization tools. These sheets are designed for engineering calculations and are easily reproducible, showcasing the multifaceted capabilities of Excel.
1. Pump and Pipe Selection: Optimizing Flow Networks
This Excel sheet serves as a powerful tool for engineers involved in selecting the optimal pump and pipe size for a given flow network. The yellow cells in the sheet prompt users for essential inputs, which can be conveniently provided through either parametric input or dropdown selection, enhancing the user experience.
You can download the Pump and Pipe Selection MS Excel file from here.Crucially, the sheet accommodates currency and electricity prices, allowing users to tailor these values according to specific project requirements and to make it easily relatable in monetory terms.
2. Simpson Method for Earthwork Calculation: Efficient Volume Computation
In this sheet, we harness the power of the Simpson numeric method to streamline volume calculations in earthwork, specifically for excavation or filling projects.
Click here to see a similar calculation performed using Python
"The key feature here is the scalability"
The tool is designed to accommodate larger areas by allowing users to insert additional rows and columns. This scalability feature ensures that the sheet remains adaptable to projects of varying sizes and complexities.
You can download the Simpson Earth Work MS Excel file from here.3. Job Distribution and Bill of Quantity (BOQ): Strategic Work Allocation
This Excel sheet serves as a comprehensive tool for efficiently allocating jobs to two parties, introducing a systematic approach to job distribution and bill of quantity (BOQ) calculations. The job is intelligently segmented into six parts, labeled A to F, with each part offering four variants, T1 to T4, creating a three-tier job hierarchy.
You can download the Job Distribution and BOQ MS Excel file from here.Notably, this sheet is designed to provide estimates for a staggering 2400 combinations of work allocations. The permutations arise from considering two parties, six job sections, four job types, 25 BOQ items, and two rates. This flexibility can be adjusted based on specific project requirements, offering a dynamic tool for project managers.