Computer-based Solution Methods
Course Description:
Basic principles on programming, introduction to interpreted languages and extensive presentation of the Matlab computational package, Matlab language and Matlab functions. Semester project: choice among many suggested projects related to the fields of the departments of: Structural Engineering, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Transportation Planning and Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management. The project is developed by groups of 2/3 students.
- Semester 3
- Teaching hours 4
- Instructors N. Lagaros (Coordinator)
Prerequisite Knowledge
Numerical analysis, courses on engineering applications.Course Units
| # | Title | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Programming | Introduction to Programming. Algorithms and flow charts. Introduction to MATLAB integrated environment. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 2 | Matlab functionality and functions | Matlab functionality and Matlab functions. Program components. M-files: Script and function files. Program debugging. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 3 | Matlab functions (1) | Matlab functions. Variables (global/local). | 2Χ2=4 |
| 4 | Matlab functions (2) | Functions, sub-functions, nested functions, anonymous functions. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 5 | Use of matrices and operations on matrices | Use of matrices, vectors and lists. Operations on matrices, vectors and lists. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 6 | Conditions/conditional execution | Conditions, conditional statements and conditional execution. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 7 | Matlab graphs (1) | Matlab graphs (1): statements plot, figure, hold on, etc., close all. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 8 | Matlab graphs (2) | Advanced use of graphs in Matlab (3D graphs, statements meshgrid, mesh, surf, etc.). | 2Χ2=4 |
| 9 | Loop control statements | Loop control statements: while & for. Use of vectors to avoid loop statements. Fast input statements of external files. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 10 | Input/output statements | Input/output statements: input of external files of various formats, integration method, applications. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 11 | Strings - Structures | Strings-Structures: strings, output to files of various formats, structures, applications. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 12 | Symbolic operations, integrals, derivatives, differential equations | Symbolic operations, integrals, derivatives, differential equations: Symbols and symbolic operations, symbolic integrals, symbolic derivatives, symbolic solution of differential equations, applications. | 2Χ2=4 |
| 13 | Data modeling | Data modeling: Curve fitting to data, curve fitting in Matlab, surface fitting in Matlab, applications. | 2Χ2=4 |
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- know basic programming principles,
- realize the value of computers to civil engineering,
- understand how computers work,
- structure small computer programs for engineering applications, and
- compute through computer programming numerical-technical problems of civil engineering.
Teaching Methods
| Teaching methods | Class lectures and workshops. |
|---|---|
| Teaching media | Theory - Applications and Exercises, teaching using blackboard and slides, from a tutor for each group. |
| Laboratories | Yes. This is a laboratory course. The entire course takes place in a computer lab where each student develops programs and solves engineering problems in a Matlab environment. |
| Computer and software use | Yes (Matlab computational package). |
| Problems - Applications | Yes |
| Assignments (projects, reports) | Yes |
| Student presentations | Yes |
Student Assessment
- Final written exam: 70%
- Assignments (projects, reports): 20%
- Problems - Applications: 10%
Textbooks - Bibliography
- Matlab in compuational Science and Engineering (in Greek, also available in English), 1st edition, 2012, Authors: Charles F. Van Loan & K-Y Daisy Fan ISBN: 9789609732000, Type: book, Publisher: DA VINCI limited.
- Matlab: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (in Greek, also available in English), 3rd edition, 2016, Authors: STORMY ATTAWAY ISBN: 978-960-461-663-3, Type: book, Publisher: Klidarithmos Publications limited.
- Mastering Matlab 7 (in Greek, also available in English), 1st edition, 2006, Authors: DUANE HANSELMAN, BRUCE LITTLEFIELD ISBN: 960-209-973-9, Type: book, Publisher: Klidarithmos Publications limited.
- Programming with Matlab (in Greek), 1st edition, 2012, Authors: Grabbanis George, Giannoutsakis Konstantinos, ISBN: 978-960-491-057-1, Type: book, Publisher: Papasotiriou S.A.
- Programming in Matlab (in Greek), 1st edition, 2011, Authors: Stefanakos X.N., ISBN: 978-960-266-349-3, Type: book, Publisher: S. Athanasopoulos S.A.
- Lecture notes from the site of the course.