MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

Marawi City

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Department of Civil Engineering
CVE154
NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
COURSE GUIDE
First Semester, AY 2020-2021

Course Description

This course provides background on numerical analysis needed to solve civil engineering problems
numerically when their analytical solution is either not available or difficult to obtain. MATLAB
programming environment or its equivalent will be introduced and used in the course.

Number of Units : 3 units (2 Units Lecture; 1 Unit Laboratory)

Number of Hours per Week : 2 hours lecture per week;
3 hours lab per week
Pre-requisites : ENS181 – Engineering Mathematics

Course Objectives/Outcomes

After completing the course, the student must be able to:

1. identify appropriate numerical/ mathematical tool or concepts suitable for the solution of the
civil engineering problems;
2. analyze the CE problem to translate it to a numerical solution;
3. use a computer software in developing a solution to the problem; and
4. solve civil engineering problem numerically when their analytical solution is either not
available or difficult to obtain.

Course Outline and Calendar

Period Module and Learning Outcomes Learning Activities and

Assessments
Week Course Introduction, Class Orientation Interactive discussion
1

UNIT I:
Week Module 1. Review of Mathematical Foundation Powerpoint presentations or
1-2 • Recognize the physical meaning of derivatives video conference
and integrals.
• Define what is a Matrix and what is a Vector.
• Familiarize and perform different
manipulations of matrix Algebra, such as:
summation, subtraction and multiplication of
matrices; and transpose, determinant and rank
of a matrix.

Module 2. Solving System of Linear Equations Lecture notes, powerpoint

• Define the meaning of homogeneous and presentations or video
nonhomogeneous equations. conference, assignment
• Identify when will a System of Linear and/or programming
 Equations (SLEs) have unique solution or exercises, quizzes
multiple solutions, or when will it have trivial
or nontrivial solutions.
• Appreciate various engineering systems or
problems that normally lead to formulation of
SLEs.
• Discuss and describe various methods of
solving SLEs, such as:
✓ Gauss Elimination Method
✓ Gauss Elimination with Row
Pivoting
✓ Jacobi Method
✓ Gauss-Seidel Method
• Make a programming code to Gauss
Elimination Method for easy use to civil
engineering applications involving large LSEs.
• Apply these methods to typical civil
engineering problems.

Module 3. Roots of Nonlinear Equations Lecture notes, powerpoint

• Define the meaning of nonlinear equations. presentations or video
• Discuss and describe the various methods of conference, assignment
solving roots of nonlinear equations. and/or programming
• Discuss and describe various methods in exercises, quizzes
solving roots of nonlinear equations.
• Make a programming code to one of these
methods for easy use to civil engineering
applications involving complicated nonlinear
equations.

Module 4. Curve Fitting and Interpolation Lecture notes, powerpoint

• Recognize the importance of curve fitting and presentations or video
interpolation in various civil engineering conference, assignment
solutions. and/or programming
• Get familiar and apply different methods of exercises, quizzes
curve fitting and interpolation, such as:
✓ Polynomial Interpolation – Lagrange
and Newton’s Polynomials
✓ Cubic and Quadratic Spline
Interpolation
✓ Curve Fitting by Function
Approximation
✓ Least Squares Fit

Module 5. Numerical Differentiation Lecture notes, powerpoint

• Explain the meaning of numerical presentations or video
differentiation. conference, assignment
• Describe and discuss the Finite Difference and/or programming
Methods – Forward, Backward and Central exercises, quizzes
Difference Formulae.
• Apply the Finite Difference Method to a
specific civil engineering problem.
• Determine the derivatives by numerical
 differentiation of Noisy Data.

Module 6. Numerical Integration Lecture notes, powerpoint

• Explain the meaning and a recognize the presentations or video
applications of Numerical Integration to conference, assignment
various civil engineering problems. and/or programming
• Discuss and apply the following Numerical exercises, quizzes
Integration Methods:
✓ Euler, Trapezoidal, Simson and
Gaussian Quadrature Scheme
Module 7. Solution of Ordinary Differential Lecture notes, powerpoint
Equation: Initial Value Problem presentations or video
• Familiarize the following methods and be able conference, assignment
to apply to specific civil engineering problem: and/or programming
✓ Euler’s Explicit Method exercises, quizzes
✓ Modified Euler’s Method, Midpoint
Method
✓ Runge Kutta Methods (2nd, 3rd, 4th
order methods)
✓ Modified Euler’s Predictor-Corrector
Method

Module 8. Solution of Ordinary Differential Lecture notes, powerpoint

Equation: Boundary-Value Problem presentations or video
• Familiarize the following methods and be able conference, assignment
to apply to specific civil engineering problem: and/or programming
✓ Shooting Method exercises, quizzes
✓ Finite Difference Method

Course Materials/Reference
1. Jaan Kiusalaas (2005). Numerical Methods in Engineering with MATLAB. Cambridge CB2
2RU, UK: Cambridge University Press.
2. Steven T. Karris (2005). Numerical Analysis Using MATLAB and Spreadsheets (2nd Edition).
Orchard Publications: www.orchardpublications.com
Suggested reference but not available this time:
3. Amos Gilat and Vish Subramaniam (2008). Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists:
An Introduction with Applications using MATLAB (First Edition). New York: John Wiley.

Course Requirements

The student’s performance will be evaluated and quantified based on the grading system below.
Assignment and/or programming exercises shall be given every after synchronous discussion on
each module, which shall be submitted a week after. Quizzes will also be given every after
synchronous discussion on each module. Unit exams shall be given after series of modules have
been completed, as scheduled in the Course Outline and Calendar.

Grading System:
Programming Exercises 35%
Quizzes 20%
Unit Exams 35%
Attendance 10%
Passing: 60%
Course Policies and Guidelines

The students shall strictly observe the following Course Policies and Guidelines:

1. Learning Modalities. The official learning platform will be Google Suite. All lectures shall be
done online through google Meet, or other platform such as Zoom. However, prior to any online
module discussion, soft copy of the lecture materials will be distributed through your respective
official school email address. Assignments and design plates shall be posted through google
classroom or sent through emails. Quizzes shall be conducted online using google forms. The
students are hereby required to secure their official school email address (gmail).

2. Participation in Online Meetings. Students are required to attend all online meetings, except if
her/his absence has been given prior approval by the Instructor. During the meeting proper the
students shall observe netiquette or online etiquette.

3. Submission of Requirements and Deadlines. Every assignment and/or programming exercises

will be done at home but it shall be submitted on or before the set deadline through email or by
posting it at the designated course google classroom. All quizzes and unit examinations shall be
done through google classroom using google forms with limited-time access.

4. Consultation and Discussions. Chatrooms or discussion forums shall be created for this
purpose. Students are advised to keep their messages brief and concise to avoid having
burdensome long threads of messages. You are also advised to check your emails and course
designated google classroom.

5. Academic Integrity. Every student shall observe and uphold academic integrity at all times. Any
form of violation in relation hereto shall be dealt with according to the policies of the
University.

6. Grade Computation. Your final grade will be computed using the grading system of this course
as mentioned previously. In addition, related policies of the University shall also be applied in
relation to giving of INC grade or DRP (Dropped).

Instructor Profile

Glen A. Lorenzo, D.Eng.

Doctor of Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering)
Registered Civil Engineer (5th Place, November 1996 Civil Engineer Licensure Exam)
Full-time Faculty Member, Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, MSU, Marawi City
Professor-Lecturer, Graduate School of Engineering, COET, MSU-IIT, Iligan City
Courses Taught:
• Geotechnical Engineering I & II
• Design of Concrete Structures II
• Earthquake Engineering
• Computer Programming for CE
• Civil Engineering Projects
• CE Undergraduate Thesis
• Mechanics of Fluids
• Probability and Statistics for CE