Numerical Methods for Engineers

(ENGR 4453)

Instructor: Dr. Noel Hernandez-Silva

Why use Numerical Methods?
• To solve problems that cannot be solved exactly:

𝑥
1 𝑢2
−
න𝑒 2 𝑑𝑢
2𝜋
−∞

Some problems are too difficult to solve them by hand.

 How do we solve an engineering problem?
Problem Description

Mathematical Model

Solution of the Mathematical

Model

Use the Solution

We use Physics to build the Mathematical Model. The solution is obtained using Numerical Methods.
Example of Solving an Engineering Problem
This is the
hinge

Lifting or bascule bridges use a hinge in order to move and allow the ships to pass.
Bascule Bridge THG
Trunnion
(Spanish=Muñon)

Hub
(Spanish=Centro)

Girder
(Spanish=Viga)

THG unions are formed by three parts. These parts are assembled mechanically.
Trunnion-Hub-Girder Assembly Procedure

Step 1:Trunnion immersed in dry-ice/alcohol

Step 2: Trunnion warm-up in hub
Step 3: Trunnion-Hub immersed in dry-ice/alcohol
Step 4: Trunnion-Hub warm-up into girder

THG unions are formed by three parts. These parts are assembled mechanically.
Problem: It got stuck

• After Cooling, the Trunnion Got Stuck in Hub

• You need to find what went wrong

Mechanical Engineers are supposed to be good at this kind of stuff

 Why did it get stuck?

This diameter
need to be 0.015”
smaller than the
diameter of the
hub.

Magnitude of contraction needed in the trunnion was 0.015” or more. Did it contract enough?
 Calculations:
Δ𝐷 = 𝐷 × 𝛼 × Δ𝑇
𝐷 = 12.363"
−6 𝑜
𝛼 = 6.47 × 10 𝑖𝑛/𝑖𝑛/ 𝐹
𝑜
Δ𝑇 = 𝑇𝑐 − 𝑇𝑎 = −108 − 80 = −188 𝐹
−6
Δ𝐷 = (12.363)(6.47 × 10 )(−188)
= −0.01504"
It seems to be almost the contraction required, but there is an error. Do you think 𝛼 is constant with
temperature?
 𝛼 as a function of temperature

If you want to get the correct answer you need to use 𝛼 (the coefficient of thermal expansion) as a
function of temperature
Correct Model

𝑇𝑐

Δ𝐷 = 𝐷 න 𝛼 (𝑇)𝑑𝑇
𝑇𝑎

The Correct Model Would Account for Varying Thermal Expansion Coefficient
Estimating Contraction Accurately
Change in diameter (D) by cooling it in dry
ice/alcohol is given by:
𝑇𝑐
𝑇𝑎 = 80℉
Δ𝐷 = 𝐷 න 𝛼 (𝑇)𝑑𝑇 𝑇𝐶 = −108℉
𝑇𝑎 𝐷 = 12.363"

𝛼 = −1.2278 × 10−5 𝑇 2 + 6.1946 × 10−3 𝑇 + 6.0150

Δ𝐷 = −0.0137"

First step is to create an equation for 𝛼 as a function of temperature

 What is the solution to the problem?
• One solution is to immerse the trunnion in liquid nitrogen which has a boiling point
of -321oF as opposed to the dry-ice/alcohol temperature of -108oF.
• If you use liquid nitrogen you get:

Δ𝐷 = −0.0244"

So, the problem was that an incorrect cooling liquid was used.
Steps to solve a problem
1. Problem Description: Trunnion got stuck in the hub.
2. Mathematical model (based on Physics):
𝑇𝑐

Δ𝐷 = 𝐷 න 𝛼 (𝑇)𝑑𝑇
𝑇𝑎

3. Solution of the Mathematical Model:

a) Used trapezoidal rule, or
b) Used regression and integration.
4. Use the solution: Cool the trunnion in liquid nitrogen.
Complex Mathematical models need Numerical Methods.
What are we going to cover in the course?
1. Introduction: 4. Numerical differentiation and
a) Errors integration:
b) Floating point numbers a) Approximation of function
c) Preliminary concepts of MATLAB. derivatives
b) Numerical integration
2. Nonlinear equations:
a) The Bisection method 5. Linear Systems of Equations
b) The Newton method a) The LU factorization method
c) The Secant method b) Iterative methods
c) Conjugate Gradient
3. Approximation of functions:
a) Interpolation 6. Ordinary differential equations
b) Piecewise linear interpolation. a) Euler methods
c) The least-squares method b) The Crank-Nicolson method
 Nonlinear Equations

Diameter=0.11m
Specific Gravity=0.6

𝑥 3 − 0.165𝑥 2 + 3.993 × 10−4 =0

In order to get the Mathematical model you need to know Fluid Mechanics.
Nonlinear Equations

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 0.165𝑥 2 + 3.993 × 10−4 =0

How much of the floating ball is under the water?
 Interpolation
What is the velocity of the rocket at t=7 seconds?

Time (s) 5 8 12
Vel (m/s) 106 177 600

If you do not have data between the lectures, what would you do?
 Regression
Thermal expansion coefficient data for cast steel

Given the data you need to know the function.

 Differentiation
What is the acceleration at t=7 seconds?

16 × 104
𝑣(𝑡) = 2200 ln − 9.8𝑡
16 × 104 − 5000𝑡

𝑑𝑣
𝑎= =?
𝑑𝑡

The function that gives the velocity may be difficult to differentiate

 Integration
Finding the diametric contraction in a steel shaft when dipped in liquid nitrogen:

𝑇𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑

Δ𝐷 = 𝐷 න 𝛼 𝑑𝑇
𝑇𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚

How would you do the integration if you only have data and there is no function.
 Linear Systems of Equations
Find the velocity profile, given:
Time (s) 5 8 12
Vel (m/s) 106 177 600

𝑣(𝑡) = 𝑎𝑡 2 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑐, 5 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 12

Three simultaneous linear equations:

25𝑎 + 5𝑏 + 𝑐 = 106

64𝑎 + 8𝑏 + 𝑐 = 177

144𝑎 + 12𝑏 + 𝑐 = 600

In order to get the equation you need to solve a system of linear equations.
Ordinary Differential Equations

𝑑𝜃
𝑚𝑐 = −ℎ𝐴(𝜃 − 𝜃𝑎 ),
𝑑𝑡
𝜃(0) = 𝜃𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚

This equation is the Newton law

of Cooling

Differential equations are always present in Engineering