Mathematical models are used to convert real-life problems using mathematical concepts and language. These models are governed by differential equations whose solutions make it easy to understand real-life problems and can be applied to engineering and science disciplines. This book presents numerical methods for solving various mathematical models. This book offers real-life applications, includes research problems on numerical treatment, and shows how to develop the numerical methods for solving problems. The book also covers theory and applications in engineering and science. Engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and researchers working on real-life mathematical problems will find this book useful.

The purpose of this book is to introduce and study numerical methods basic and advanced ones for scientific computing. This last refers to the implementation of appropriate approaches to the treatment of a scientific problem arising from physics (meteorology, pollution, etc.) or of engineering (mechanics of structures, mechanics of fluids, treatment signal, etc.). Each chapter of this book recalls the essence of the different methods resolution and presents several applications in the field of engineering as well as programs developed under Matlab software.

Most physical problems can be written in the form of mathematical equations (differential, integral, etc.). Mathematicians have always sought to find analytical solutions to the equations encountered in the different sciences of the engineer (mechanics, physics, biology, etc.). These equations are sometimes complicated and much effort is required to simplify them. In the middle of the 20th century, the arrival of the first computers gave birth to new methods of resolution that will be described by numerical methods. They allow solving numerically as precisely as possible the equations encountered (resulting from the modeling of course) and to approach the solution of the problems posed. The approximate solution is usually computed on a computer by means of a suitable algorithm. The objective of this book is to introduce and study the basic numerical methods and those advanced to be able to do scientific computation. The latter refers to the implementation of approaches adapted to the treatment of a scientific problem arising from physics (meteorology, pollution, etc.) or engineering (structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, signal processing, etc.) .

Robots able to imitate human beings have been at the core of stories of science?ctionaswellasdreamsofinventorsforalongtime.Amongthe various skills that Mother Nature has provided us with and that often go forgotten, the ability of sight is certainly one of the most important. Perhaps inspired by tales of Isaac Asimov, comics and cartoons, and surely helped by the progress of electronics in recent decades, researchers have progressively made the dream of creating robots able to move and operate by exploiting arti?cial vision a concrete reality. Technically speaking, we would say that these robots position themselves and their end-e?ectors by using the view provided by some arti?cial eyes as feedback information. Indeed, the arti?cial eyes are visual sensors such as cameras that have the function to acquire an image of the environment. Such an image describes if and how the robot is moving toward the goal and hence constitutes feedback information. This procedure is known in robotics with the term visual servoing, and it is nothing else than an imitation of the intrinsic mechanism that allows human beings to realize daily tasks such as reaching the door of the house or grasping a cup of co?ee.

It is not easy for engineers to gain all the skills necessary to perform numerical analysis. This book is an authoritative guide that explains in detail the potential restrictions and pitfalls and so help engineers undertake advanced numerical analysis. It discusses the major approximations involved in nonlinear numerical analysis and describes some of the more popular constituitive models currently available and explores their strengths and weaknesses. It also discusses the determination of material parameters for defining soil behaviour, investigates the options for modelling structural components and their interface with the soil and the boundary conditions that are appropriate in geotechnical analysis and the assumptions implied when they are used. Guidelines for the use of Advanced Numerical Analysis also provides guidelines for best practice of specific types of soil-structure interaction that are common in urban development and discusses the role of benchmarking exercises. This authoritative book will be invaluable to practising engineers involved in urban development. It will also be useful tool for geotechnical and structural engineers.

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry (ICER&D 2006)