Item HT 2202 12 Hole Paper Tape - CSIRAC Computer, Rigid Frame Analysis Wind Loads, T515.2, 1960

Summary

Paper tape, part of a collection of paper tape programs and sub-routines used for input to CSIRAC.

This type of program calculates, for any multi-storied, rigid framed structure, the joint rotations, storey translations, and end moments in each member, for a number of columns and a number of stories. There are five such programs.

The collection includes the original University of Melbourne Computation Laboratory Paper Tape Library of 12 hole tapes of subroutines and programs, and program and data tapes from staff and outside users.
Most of the paper tapes were 12-track punched paper tapes. 5 hole paper tapes were used primarily for data input and output rather than program input. However, 5 hole program tapes could be produced by using Interprogram, an English language programming system rather than using machine language.

Each tape has a 'T' number. The Computation Laboratory Paper Tape Library consisted of tapes with a tape number less than 700. There were not 700 tapes but the number 700 was arbitrarily chosen to separate the Computation Laboratory Library tapes from user tapes.

Details of this tape:
Tape no 515.2: Computer Program: Rigid Frame Analysis - Wind Loads
From CSIRAC Paper Tape Library Box no: B136
For more documentation on the contents of this tape see folder 23, inventory id HT13511.32

Significance

The item provides valuable information about the programming and use of CSRIAC. CSIRAC is a major icon of Australian computer and is the only existing first generation computer.