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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2008/09


ME20014 Modelling techniques 1

Credits: 6
Level: Intermediate
Semester: 1
Assessment: CW 40%, EX 60%
Requisites:
Aims: To introduce the students to programming in MATLAB. To acquire a large variety of numerical and mathematical techniques to be used for those engineering problems modelled in terms of ODEs.
To provide a strong mathematical and computational foundation for solving equations arising in the modelling of engineering systems.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit the student will have:
* Demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of how the various standard ordinary differential equations (ODEs) arise in engineering.
* Demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of the use of numerical techniques in the solution of such ODEs.
Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently.
Content:
Introduction to MATLAB. Numerical solution of ordinary differential evolution equations using Euler's method and the Runge-Kutta methods, including reduction to first order form and numerical stability analysis. Numerical solution of two-point ordinary differential boundary value problems using a direct method (the tridiagonal matrix algorithm and an indirect method (the shooting method). Local and Global Truncation Errors: choosing a suitable numerical method and the improvement of accuracy. Translating engineering problem statements in English into ODEs, and hence into MATLAB software.