Introduction to Engineering: Modeling and Problem Solving

1 Engineering and Society.

1.1 Introduction.

1.2 The Engineering Method.

1.3 Networks and Systems.

1.4 Engineering Disciplines and Majors.

1.5 Engineering and Computing.

Problems.

2 Organization and Representation of Engineering Systems.

2.1 WhatWe Think About HowWe Think.

2.2 Concept Maps.

2.3 Representation and Design.

2.4 Example:Water Supply for Rural Communities in Developing Nations.

Problems.

3 Learning and Problem Solving.

3.1 Introduction.

3.2 Expertise and The Learning Process.

3.3 What Do You Know? Levels of Understanding.

3.4 Getting Good Results from Your Learning Efforts.

3.5 A Framework for Problem Solving.

3.6 How Much CO Does a Typical Passenger Car Produce?

3.7 Planning Larger Projects.

3.8 Heuristics.

Problems.

Part II MODEL-BASED DESIGN.

4 Laws of Nature and Theoretical Models.

4.1 Engineering Models.

4.2 Evolution of Theory.

4.3 Models of Motion.

4.4 Modeling the “Spring of Air”.

4.5 The Birth of the Piston Engine.

4.6 The Science of Thermodynamics.

4.7 Conservation of Mass.

4.8 Analysis Example: The Internal Combustion Engine.

4.9 Design Example: The Handpump.

Problems.

5 Data Analysis and Empirical Models.

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 Theory and Data.

5.3 Empirical Models.

5.4 Using Statistics to Quantify Uncertainty.

5.5 Trade Studies: Evaluating Tradeoffs Between Design Variables.

Problems.

6 Modeling Interrelationships in Systems: Lightweight Structures.

6.1 Introduction.

6.2 The Statics Perspective.

6.3 The Materials Perspective.

6.4 Putting It All Together.

6.5 Example: A Trade Study of Strength versus Weight in a Truss.

Problems.

7 Modeling Interrelationships in Systems: Digital Electronic Circuits.

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Computing Machines.

7.3 Digital Circuits from the Symbolic and Logical Perspective.

7.4 Digital Circuits from the Electronics Perspective.

7.5 Putting It All Together: Design of an Inverter.

Problems.

8 Modeling Change in Systems.

8.1 Introduction.

8.2 Predicting the Future: Accumulation of Change.

8.3 Launching a Softball.

8.4 Running Out of Gas.

Problems.

Part III PROBLEM SOLVING WITH MATLAB.

9 Getting Started with MATLAB.

9.1 Your First MATLAB Session.

9.2 Examples.

Problems.

10 Vector Operations in MATLAB.

10.1 Introduction.

10.2 Basic Operations.

10.3 Simple Two-Dimensional Plots and Graphs.

10.4 Statistics.

Problems.

11 Matrix Operations in MATLAB.

11.1 Basic Operations.

11.2 Parameter Sweeps Over Two Variables.

11.3 Plotting 3-Dimensional Data.

11.4 Matrix Arithmetic.

11.5 Solving Systems of Linear Equations.

Problems.

12 Introduction to Algorithms and Programming In MATLAB.

12.1 Algorithms, Flow Charts, and Pseudocode.

12.2 MATLAB Functions.

12.3 Conditional Selection Statements.

12.4 Loops or Repetition Statements.

12.5 Examples of Functions, Conditionals, and Loops.

12.6 Accumulation of Change.

Problems.

Appendix A Problem Solving Process.

Appendix B Bloom’s Taxonomy: Levels of Understanding.

Appendix C Engineering Societies and Professional Organizations.

Appendix D Systems of Units.

D.1 The SI System.

D.2 Non-SI Units and Conversion Factors.

Bibliography.

Index.