Vectors Aligned

The vectors_aligned function checks if two vectors are pointing in the same direction within a specified tolerance. This is useful for comparing fiber directions, load directions, or any other vector quantities where alignment matters.

template <typename T>
inline __host__ __device__ bool vectors_aligned(T* vec1, T* vec2, T tolerance)

Parameters

vec1

• First vector (3 components)

vec2

• Second vector (3 components)

tolerance

• Maximum allowed angle in degrees for vectors to be considered aligned

Returns

• true: The angle between the vectors is within the specified tolerance
• false: The angle exceeds the tolerance or either vector is near-zero

Example Usage

double fiber1[3] = {1.0, 0.0, 0.0};
double fiber2[3] = {0.99, 0.0, 0.0};

if (mat::vectors_aligned(fiber1, fiber2, 5.0)) {
    // Vectors are within 5 degrees of alignment
}

Notes

• Vectors with magnitude less than 1e-10 are considered invalid and will return false