code: def get_column_flat(self, field, components=None, computed_type='for_observations'):
          
          return self.pack_column_flat(self.get_column(field, components, computed_type),
                                       components,
                                       offset=field=='triangles')
docs: TODO: add documentation
  
          return a single merged value (hstacked) from all meshes
  
          :parameter str field: name of the mesh columnname
          :parameter components: