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Lecturers
Timing and Structure
Lent term. 16 lectures (including examples classes). Assessment: 100% exam
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- provide an introduction to the various classes of PDE and the physical nature of their solution
- demonstrate how variational calculus can be used to derive both ordinary and partial differential equations, and also how the technique can be used to obtain approximate solutions to these equations
Objectives
As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:
- understand the various types of PDE and the physical nature of their solutions.
- understand various solution methods for PDEs and be able to apply these to a range of problems.
- understand the formulation of various physical problems in terms of variational statements
- estimate solutions using trial functions and direct minimisation;
- calculate an Euler-Lagrange differential equation from a variational statement, and to find the corresponding natural boundary conditions;
- perform vector manipulations using suffix notation.
Content
Partial differential equations (PDEs) occur widely in all branches of engineering science, and this course provides an introduction to the various classes of PDE and the physical nature of their solution. The second part of the course demonstrates how variational calculus can be used to derive both ordinary and partial differential equations, and also how the technique can be used to obtain approximate solutions to these equations. The final section on the summation convention provides a powerful mathematical tool for the manipulation of equations that arise in engineering analysis
Suffix notation and the summation convention (2L Prof J S Biggins)
Index notation for scalar, vector, and matrix products, and for grad, div and curl. Applications including Stokes’ theorem and the divergence theorem.
Variational methods in engineering analysis (6L Prof J S Biggins)
Introduction to variational calculus. Functionals and their first variation. Derivation of differential equations and boundary conditions from variational principles. The Euler-Lagrange equations. The effect of constraints. Applications in mechanics, optics, stress analysis, and optimal control.
Partial Differential Equations (8L Dr J Li)
What is a PDE? Classification of PDEs: elliptic/parabolic/hyperbolic types. Canonical examples of each type: Laplace/diffusion/wave equations. Typical solution techniques and example solutions for simple geometries.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
E1
Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.
E3
Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
US1
A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.
US2
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computer models relevant to the engineering discipline, and an appreciation of their limitations.
US3
An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.
Last modified: 31/05/2024 10:27