Perimeter of Ellipse

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(03-05-2016 04:19 PM)Joe Horn Wrote:  Although simple formulae for the perimeter of an ellipse exist, they are only approximations. Exact formulae are complicated. The following program uses a converging iteration technique instead.

When I was employed by an Engineering firm specializing in Bridge Design, we used elliptical substructure rather than rectangular. The design was easy enough BUT the insitu replication of that design was elusive, so we substituted cirular arcs (tangent) for the desired elipse. The desired substitute was reflective about both inplane axis, so only 1/4 of the form need be designed. Seldom were more the 5 contiguous arcs needed while 3 arcs satisfied most requirements. The circle(s) approximations functioned well within the desired strutural requirements while easing the construction layout.

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