Chapter 1 Mathematical Modeling, Numerical Methods, and Problem Solving Chapter Objectives • Learning how mathematical models can be formulated on the basis of scientific principles to simulate the behavior of a simple physical system. • Understanding how numerical methods afford a means to generalize solutions in a manner that can be implemented on a digital computer. • Understanding the different types of conservation laws that lie beneath the models used in the various engineering disciplines and appreciating the difference between steady-state and dynamic solutions of these models. • Learning about the different types of numerical methods we will cover in this book. A Simple 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.
• Models can be represented by a functional
relationship between dependent variables, independent variables, parameters, and forcing functions. Model Function Model Function Example a=dv/dt=F/m F=F D+Fv -> dv/dt=g-c d/m x v^2 F=ma F=mg-c d x v^2
• Dependent variable - velocity v
• Independent variables - time t • Parameters - mass m, drag coefficient cd • Forcing function - gravitational acceleration g Model Results • Using a computer (or a calculator), the model can be used to generate a graphical representation of the system. For example, the graph below represents the velocity of a 68.1 kilogram jumper, assuming a drag coefficient of 0.25 kilograms per mile Numerical Modeling • Some system models will be given as implicit functions or as differential equations - these can be solved either using analytical methods or numerical methods. • Example - the bungee jumper velocity equation from before is the analytical solution to the differential equation gc dv cd 2 vt gm tanh d t g v cd m dt m where the change in velocity is determined by the gravitational forces acting on the jumper versus the drag force. Numerical Methods • To solve the problem using a numerical method, note that the time rate of change of velocity can be approximated as: ⑧ dv v vti1 vti dt t ti1 ti Euler's Method • Substituting the finite difference into the differential equation gives dv 9.8 cd 2 =g v
tt dt m v(ti+1) v(ti) cd ti+1 ti = g v 2 m • Solve for cd v(ti+1) = v(ti) + g v(ti)2 (ti+1 ti) m new = old + slope step Numerical Results • Applying Euler's method in 2 s intervals yields:
• How do we improve the solution?
– Smaller steps Bases for Numerical Models • Conservation laws provide the foundation for many model functions. • Different fields of engineering and science apply these laws to different paradigms within the field. • Among these laws are: Conservation of mass Conservation of momentum Conservation of charge Conservation of energy Summary of Numerical Methods • The book is divided into five categories of numerical methods: σ ^
σ 9
⑦ Summary of Numerical Methods • The book is divided into five categories of numerical methods: Summary of Numerical Methods • The book is divided into five categories of numerical methods:
