Ελληνικά

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:

  1. know basic programming principles,
  2. realize the value of computers to civil engineering,
  3. understand how computers work,
  4. structure small computer programs for engineering applications, and
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Lecture notes from the site of the course.