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Lecture 1a

The document discusses numerical methods for solving engineering problems. It provides examples of using numerical methods to model and solve a problem involving the velocity of a parachutist over time. Both analytical and numerical solutions are derived and compared, showing the numerical solution provides approximate answers with reasonable accuracy.

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40 views8 pages

Lecture 1a

The document discusses numerical methods for solving engineering problems. It provides examples of using numerical methods to model and solve a problem involving the velocity of a parachutist over time. Both analytical and numerical solutions are derived and compared, showing the numerical solution provides approximate answers with reasonable accuracy.

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Aslı Gözpınar
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ES 361 - Computing

Methods in Engineering
Lecture 1 Part 1
Why study numerical methods?
• Numerical methods are extremely powerful problem-solving tools. The analytical tools
for solution of mathematical problems, such as the use of calculus as explained in the
mathematical courses, will not be helpful in solving most engineering problems.
• The numerical methods can provide approximate solutions with acceptable levels of
accuracy and precision. Most of these methods are simple enough to be implemented in
daily engineering practice.

• The commercially available computer programs that involve numerical methods are very
useful for solving problems. However, the skills for understanding the numerical methods
are necessary for correct and efficient use of these programs .

• In the absence of a computer program for solution of a mathematical problem; an


understanding of numerical methods and basic computer programming will yield the
ability to develop personal computer programs for an approximate solution.

• Numerical methods provide a vehicle to reinforce understanding of mathematics.


What is a mathematical model?
A mathematical model can be broadly defined as a formulation or equation that expresses the
essential features of a physical system or process in mathematical terms.

Dependent variable= f (independent variables, parameters, forcing functions)

Dependent variable: is a characteristic that usually reflects the behaviour or state of the system.

Independent variables: are usually dimensions such as time and space along which the system’s
behaviour is being determined.

Parameters: are reflective of the system’s properties or composition.

Forcing functions: are external influences acting upon the system.


Problem: A parachutist of mass 68kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon.
Compute velocity prior to opening the cute.
An analytical and a numeric solution will be obtained and compared.
Newton’s 2nd law of motion will be our starting point.
The mathematical model of the 2nd law:

F: net force acting on the body (N), m: mass of the object (kg), a: acceleration (m/s2)
The terms can be rearranged to obtain:

After expressing acceleration as rate of change of velocity with time:


Problem: A parachutist of mass 68kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon.
Compute velocity prior to opening the cute.
Force can be expressed in 2 parts, where FD is the downward force (weight) and FU is the upward
force (air resistance):

v(t) is dependent variable


t is independent variable
c and m are parameters
g is forcing function

This is a differential equation solution of which involves calculus:


Problem: A parachutist of mass 68kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon.
Compute velocity prior to opening the cute.
Analytical Solution
Take mass m=68kg and drag coefficient c=12.5 kg/s.
Use develop mathematical model and MATLAB to compute velocity corresponding to different time
instants.

This is an analytical solution, t(s) v (m/s)


exact, because it exactly 0 0
satisfies the original differential 2 16.42
equation. There are many 4 27.79
mathematical models that can 6 35.66
not be solved exactly. The only 8 41.11
alternative may be to develop a 10 44.88
numerical solution that 12 47.49
approximates the exact ∞ 53.37
solution.
Problem: A parachutist of mass 68kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon.
Compute velocity prior to opening the cute.
Numerical Solution
Numerical methods are those in which the mathematical problem is reformulated so it can be
solved by arithmetic operations.
The finite divided difference approximation of the derivative at time ti:

This equation can be rearranged to give:

New Value= Old Value + Approximate Slope x Step Size


Problem: A parachutist of mass 68kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon.
Compute velocity prior to opening the cute.
Numerical Solution
At the start of the computation (ti=0), take the velocity of the parachutist to be zero.
Use rewritten mathematical model and MATLAB to compute velocity corresponding to different
time instants.
t(s) v (m/s)
Analytical solution and numerical 0 0
solution are close to each other. Take 2 19.62
smaller time steps to improve 4 32.03
accuracy! 6 39.87
8 44.83
10 47.97
12 49.95
∞ 54.97

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