Computers in Civil Engineering

53:081 Spring 2000

Lecture #2
 Outline
● Examples of civil engineering
problems that require application of
numerical methods:
– Flow in open channels
– Truss analysis
– Sailboat mast design
– Computation of work
 Example 1
● Flow In Open Channels
– Roots of Equations
 Uniform Flow

T(y)=surface width

A(y)=area

P(y) = wetted perimeter

 Colebrook-White Formula
for Uniform Flow
æ k 1. 255ν ö
Q = −4 A( y ) 2 gm( y ) S 0 logç +
ç 14.8m( y ) 4m( y ) 2 gm( y ) S
è 0

where :
k − constant
S0 − channel slope
ν − kinematic viscosity
g − gravity acceleration
A( y )
m( y ) = is hydraulic mean depth
P( y )
 Problem Formulation
Find the depth y of uniform flow for a given
flow rate Q and channel geometry. In other
words: given Q and channel geometry,
solve:
f(y) = 0

Problem: Explicit solution does not exist!

Solution: Numerically find root of equation
 Example 2
● Structural Analysis
– Systems of Linear Equations
 Truss Analysis
1000 kg

F1 90°
F3

H2 60°
30°

F2
V2 V3
Force Equilibrium Analysis
Node 1: Fhorizontal =0
Fvertical =0

Node 2 : Fhorizontal =0
Fvertical =0

Node 3 : Fhorizontal =0
Fvertical =0
 Problem Formulation
Find the forces F1, F2, F3, and reactions,
V1, V2, H2, associated with a statically
determinant truss.

In other words: solve the system of six

linear equations with six unknowns.

Solution: Solve System Using Gaussian

or Gauss-Jordan Method
 Example 3
● Sailboat Mast Design
– Curve Fitting
Wind Force
 Definitions
force in mast
stress = cross-sectional area of mast
deflection
strain = unit length

Hooke’s law: ∆ L = (strain)(length)

Experimental Stress-Strain Data
Strain

Stress
 Problem Formulation
Based on the experimental data, estimate the
change in length ∆ L of the mast due to stress
caused by wind force.

Problem: Data points do not lie on a smooth,

known curve

Solution: Assume some relationship and fit a

curve using least squares error criterion
 Curve Fitting
Quadratic (2nd order) curve

Linear (1st order)

Strain

curve

Stress
 Example 4
● Computation of Work
– Numerical Integration
Variable Force and Direction
F(x) F(x)

Θ(x) Θ(x)

∆x
 Experimental Data

F(x)

∆x

Θ(x)

∆x
 Problem Formulation
Based on the experimental data of variable
force and angle, estimate the total work
performed to pull a block a given distance ∆x,
i.e. calculate:
x0 + ∆x

W= F ( x) cos[θ( x)]dx
x0

Problem: F(x) and Θ (x) are not analytical

Solution: Numerical Integration
 Reading Assignment
Text: Chapter 1

The End
See you at the Lab session!