The Quonset Hut Surface Area calculator computes the exterior surface area (A) of a Quonset hut based on the height, length and width. This includes the roof and both ends. See YouTube instruction video for this formula HERE.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (L) Length of Quonset Hut
- (H) Height of Quonset Hut
- (W) Width of Quonset Hut
Quonset Hut Surface Area (SA): The calculator returns the surface area in square meters. However this can be automatically converted into other area units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The calculator assumes that the face of the Quonset hut is half of an ellipse (or circle if W = 2*H). From that, the tally of the total surface area gets pretty easy using the formulas for the Area of an Ellipse, and the Circumference of an Ellipse.
The formula for the area of an ellipse is:
A = π•a•b
The circumference of an ellipse has been approximated in several simple formulae including this one by the famous mathematician Rumanujan. The the formula for the circumference of an ellipse used in this calculator is:
`C = pi * [3* (a+b) - sqrt((3*a+b) (a+3*b))]`
where:
- C = circumference of ellipse
- a = length of semi-major axis (W/2 in our example)
- b = length of semi-minor axis (H in our example)
Combining the two formulas, the Surface Area of a Quonset Hut is:
SA = A + C/2*L
where:
- SA = Surface Area of the Quonset Huthttps://www.vcalc.com/wiki/quonset-hut-surface-area
- A = Area of the ellipse (half on either side of the Quonset Hut)
- C = Circumference of the ellipse
- L = Length of the Quonset Hut
The surface area of a Quonset Hut is useful for calculating construction material needs and for computing the conductive heat loss of the Quonset hut.