Computer Methods For Engineering (Series in Computational and Physical Processes in Mechanics and Thermal Sciences)

This text is primarily aimed at helping sophomore and junior level engineering students develop expertise in numerical methods, computer simulation, and numerical analysis. Senior undergraduates and graduate students in engineering may find it useful, as well as professionals interested in a reference or a short course text. The three areas of concentration include the following:

Numerical analysis―the mathematical background for solving algebraic and differential equations, interpolation, root solving, integration, differentiation and curve fitting is presented in detail. This provides the background for developing numerical schemes and procedures for solving mathematical problems of interest to engineering.

Computer modeling―the basis for developing accurate, valid and efficient computer algorithms is presented. The importance of ensuring the accuracy of the solution and various strategies to achieve this are stressed. Computer codes using high-level languages are presented and several important algorithms are presented by way of illustration. Solutions using the computational environment provided by Matlab are included due to the growing importance of this approach.

Engineering problems―this aspect distinguishes this book from others that are directed at numerical analysis or numerical modeling, without a specific focus on engineering problems. A variety of basic and applied problems were included in the first edition to indicate issues that are of particular relevance to engineering, illustrate the types of problems encountered, make the presentation more interesting and useful, and put the entire area in context of engineering.