MEC 400

Chapter 4 : Engineering Solution

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this chapter, student should be able to;

recognize the important of engineering analysis

explain the engineering method
use a computer software for engineering solution

Contents
4.1 Engineering Analysis
4.2 Problem Presentation & Organization
4.3 Computers & Scientific Calculators in Problem Solving

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4.1 ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

Think about the following questions:

How important is the answer to a given problem?
How much time do you have and what resources are at your
disposal?
What about the theory you intend to use?
Is it valid for this particular application?
Do you currently understand the theory, or must time be allocated
for review and learning?
Can you make assumptions that simplify without sacrificing needed
accuracy?

4.1.1 Practice of Engineering

- Accumulate knowledge & experience
- Use in fundamental area in engineering

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4.1.2 Problem Solving

Problem solving is approach in a logical and organized

method, if it follows a process
Combination of
1. Knowledge
2. Experience
3. Process
4. Art
Ability to solve technical problems (involves a combination
of art and sciences)
By science means by knowledge of the principle of
mathematics, chemistry, physics etc.
By art means the proper judgment, experience and
common sense. the art of problem solving is a skill
developed with practice.
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4.1.3 Engineering Method

- As an example of a process!
- Consists of six basic steps

1. Recognize and understand the problem

2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy

3. Select appropriate theory or principal

4. Make necessary assumption

5. Solve the problem

6. Verify and Check Results

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1. Recognize & Understand problem
1. Study the problem
2. Eliminate the things that are unimportant
3. Focusing on the root of the problem
4. This can help eliminating false trial & shortening time
taken
2. Accumulate data & Verify accuracy
All pertinent physical facts, such as sizes, temperature,
voltages, currents, costs, concentrations, weights, times
etc. must be ascertained
Do not mix or confuse these details with data that are
suspected or only assumed to be accurate.
Deal only with items that can be verified.
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3. Select the appropriate theory or principal

Select appropriate theories or scientific principles that apply
to the solution of the problem.
Understand and identify limitations or constrains that apply to
the selected theory.
4. Make necessary assumptions

Perfect solution to real problem do not exists

Simplification and assumptions need to be made
** step no. 3 and no. 4 the order of these two steps
may be reversed

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5. Solve the problem
Solve using the application of mathematical theory
provided by previous step
Trial error solution also applicable
Results normally will be in numerical form with
appropriate units.
6. Verify and Check Results
Result must be check to ensure the correctness
Correctness can be verified by:
Repeat solution using different technique
Experiment
Examined the answer whether it makes sense or not
Units used correct units dimensionally correct..
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4.2 PROBLEM PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

Engineer must know how to translate the information

collected/accumulated into a well documented problem solution

4.2.1 Problem Presentation

1. Problem statement
2. Diagram
3. Theory
4. Assumptions
5. Solutions Steps
6. Identify results and verify accuracy

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1. Problem statement
State as concisely as possible the problem to be solved.
The statement should be a summary of the given information, but
must contain all essential material.
Clearly state what is to be determined.

2. Diagram
Prepare a diagram with all pertinent dimensions, flow rates,
currents, voltages, weights etc.
A very efficient method of showing given and needed
information.
Appropriate way of illustrating the physical setup, which may be
difficult to describe adequately in words.

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3. Theory
Referenced equation with completely defined variables is
sufficient.
Extensive theoretical derivation may be necessary because
the appropriate theory has to be derived, developed or
modified.
4. Assumptions
List in complete detail all assumption that have been made
to realize solution to the problem.
Important for readers understanding of solution and
limitations.

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5. Solution steps
steps of solving the problem

6. Identify results and verify accuracy

Clearly identify the final answer.

Requires that the answer be examined to determined if it is
realistic, so check solution accuracy and if possible, verify
the results.

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Example

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Example

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4.3 Computers & Scientific Calculators in Problem Solving
A simple problem may require only brief hand calculations
or the use of engineering calculator.
If the complexity of the solutions is high or the amount of
data or number of cases to be processed is large, other
methods should be considered.

4.3.1 Use Computer Software In Engineering Solutions

Spreadsheet
Math Calculation Packages
Programming Languages
Flowcharting
Computer Aided Design (CAD)

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1. Spreadsheet
Example software :-
EXCEL, Lotus 123 and Quattro Pro.

Handling large quantities of data and in allowing repetitive calculation to

be done in relative ease.
Allows to store original data, computed results and charts in electronic
form that can be easily changed at a later date if new or corrected data
become available.

2. Math Calculation Packages

Example Software :-
Maple, MathCAD, Mathematica, Matlab.
Ability to perform complex mathematical computations
(algebra, calculus, differential equation)
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3. Programming Languages
Example :-
FORTRAN, C++,Visual Basic, MATLAB

Prepare solution to certain problems

It is effective to program a solution if the solution is a unique application
or if the solution is to be used repetitively without need for changing the
programming code.

4. Flowcharting
Logic diagram to describe each step that the program must
perform to arrive at the solution.
A popular logic tool used for showing an algorithm in graphics
form.
Programmer prepares flowchart before coding.
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Purpose of Flowcharting
An aid in developing the logic of a program.
Verification that all possible conditions have been considered in a
program.
Provides means of communication with others about the program.
A guide in coding the program.
Documentation for the program.
Most common flowchart symbols are:

Start / End Input/Output Processes Choices

Three general structures:

Flow Arrow
Sequential structure
Selection structure
Repetitive structure
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Sequential Structure Selection Structure

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Sequential Structure

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5. Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Example :-
Solidworks, AutoCAD, Catia

solid 2D or 3D modelling, analysis

used to produce computer animation for special effects in
movies, advertising and technical manuals
benefits :- save time for analysis

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