Documentation/Modules/Unit Converter

Unit Converter

Convert between engineering unit systems

Standards catalog

Validation: indicative · Method band: formula

Open calculator

Indicative method: Indicative closed-form or numerical model

Assumptions

  • Linear elastic material behavior unless noted otherwise.
  • User is responsible for load combinations and load factors per the selected design code.
  • Design standard (US/EU/ISO) sets unit defaults and screening check labels — not a full code worksheet.

Limitations

  • Professional screening / indicative workspace — does not replace a licensed PE or official code compliance review.
  • Where specialized evaluators are not implemented, checks map solver outputs to catalog templates for orientation only.

Engineering checks

CheckINDUSEUISO
Unit conversionimplemented———

Unit Converter (unit-converter)

Purpose

Convert numeric values between engineering unit systems across PhyCalcPro dimensions — length, force, pressure, stress, energy, power, and related quantities. Ensures consistent SI base-unit handoff to all module solvers.

Physics & theory

Physical quantities are expressed as value × unit within a dimension (e.g., length in m, mm, in, ft). Conversion normalizes to SI base via toBase, then scales to target unit via fromBase. Dimensionality is enforced — force cannot convert to length.

Multi-system support (US customary, SI, mixed engineering units) aligns with useDesignCodeUnits and ModuleUnitSelect profiles across product modules. Temperature conversions may use offset scales (°C, °F, K) per dimension registry.

Governing equations

For affine temperature: , .

Numerical method

Registry-based conversion (unit-converter/engine + units/conversions.ts): toBase(value, dimension, fromUnit) then fromBase(base, dimension, toUnit). Physics dimensions validated against allowed unit keys per dimension type.

Supported dimensions include length, mass, force, pressure, stress, energy, power, torque, angle, temperature, and velocity — each mapped in src/lib/physics/units.ts. Invalid unit keys for a dimension return an error at conversion time rather than silently scaling by an incorrect factor.

Inputs

ParameterDescription
valueNumeric magnitude
dimensionPhysics dimension key
fromUnit, toUnitSource and target unit strings

Outputs

  • convertedValue — numeric result in the target unit
  • fromUnit, toUnit — echo of selected unit keys for audit trails
  • dimension — physics dimension identifier used for the conversion

Design codes & checks

  • Indicative: Unit conversion (utility tool)

Assumptions & limitations

  • Conversions within single dimension only.
  • Precision follows IEEE double — display rounding handled in UI.
  • Non-SI industry units included per module profiles; not every obscure unit.
  • Currency and dimensionless ratios not supported unless defined.
  • Compound units (e.g., lbf·ft as derived entries) must use the predefined dimension registry.

Verification

References

  1. NIST SP 811. Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI).
  2. ISO 80000 quantities and units series.
  3. IEEE/ASTM SI 10. American National Standard for Metric Practice.
  4. BIPM. The International System of Units (SI), 9th ed.
  5. Beer, F. P., et al. Mechanics of Materials, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill — foundational stress and deformation theory.
Maintainer note: Shared unit conversion layer.