Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
Faculty of Science and Technology
Civil Engineering
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 - Solutions
Question 1
Solve the following differential equation by finite difference method within a domain of 𝑥 ∈ 1, 1.4 .
𝑑𝑦
2 4𝑦 4𝑥 10
𝑑𝑥
where y(1) = 0.5. Consider a step size of h = 0.1.
Solution
This is an initial value problem that can be solved using Euler method.
Using Euler method, the y value at Step i+1 can be found by the following equation
𝑦 𝑦 ℎ𝑦 ′ (Eq. 1-1)
For this problem,
2𝑦 4𝑦 4𝑥 10
𝑦 2𝑥 5 2𝑦
Therefore, Eq. 1-1 becomes
𝑦 𝑦 0.1 2𝑥 5 2𝑦
𝑦 0.8𝑦 0.2𝑥 0.5 (Eq. 1-2)
We will now apply Eq. 1-2 step-by-step to solve for the unknown values within the
domain as follows. We need to solve up to x = 1.8 in this case.
Step 0 (i = 0)
The x and y values at this step i = 0 are
𝑥 1
𝑦 0.5
Therefore,
𝑦 0.8𝑦 0.2𝑥 0.5
𝑦 0.8 0.5 0.2 1 0.5
𝑦 1.1
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 1 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Step 1 (i = 1)
The x and y values at this step i = 1 are
𝑥 1.1
𝑦 1.1
Therefore,
𝑦 0.8𝑦 0.2𝑥 0.5
𝑦 0.8 1.1 0.2 1.1 0.5
𝑦 1.6
Step 2 (i = 2)
The x and y values at this step i = 2 are
𝑥 1.2
𝑦 1.6
Therefore,
𝑦 0.8𝑦 0.2𝑥 0.5
𝑦 0.8 1.6 0.2 1.2 0.5
𝑦 2.02
Step 3 (i = 3)
The x and y values at this step i = 3 are
𝑥 1.3
𝑦 2.02
Therefore,
𝑦 0.8𝑦 0.2𝑥 0.5
𝑦 0.8 2.02 0.2 1.3 0.5
𝑦 2.376
Therefore, the values within the domain are
x y
1 0.5
1.1 1.1 (ANS.)
1.2 1.6
1.3 2.02
1.4 2.376
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 2 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Question 2
A problem is governed by the following differential equation
𝑑 𝑦
3𝑦 3𝑥 1 0
𝑑𝑥
where 𝑥 ∈ 0, 3 . The boundary conditions are 𝑦′ 0 1 and 𝑦 3 3.
Solution
The domain for this problem is as follows. We need to solve for unknown values for Node 1 to 3.
𝑦
Node 3
Node 2 Node 4
𝒚𝟒 𝟑
Node 1
𝑥
0 1 2 3
𝑖 1 𝑖 2 𝑖 3 𝑖 4
Step 1 – Convert differential equation to difference equation
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦
3𝑦 3𝑥 1 0
ℎ
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 3𝑥 1 0 (Eq. 2-1)
Step 2 – Setup difference equation at each node within boundary
Setup Eq. 2-1 at each node within the boundary as follows.
At Node 2 (i = 2),
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 3 1 1 0
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 4 (Eq. 2-2)
At Node 3 (i = 3),
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 3 2 1 0
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 7 (Eq. 2-3)
Step 3 – Apply boundary conditions
(i) Apply y(3) = 3
Substitute y(3) = y4 = 3 to Eq. 2-3, we have
3 𝑦 𝑦 7
𝑦 𝑦 4 (Eq. 2-3a)
(ii) Apply 𝑦′ 0 1
Use forward difference to approximate 𝑦 ,
𝑦 0 𝑦 ′
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 3 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
𝑦 𝑦
𝑦 1
ℎ
𝑦 𝑦 1
Substitute 𝑦 𝑦 1 to Eq. 2-2, we have
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 1 4
𝑦 2𝑦 5 (Eq. 2-2a)
Step 4 – Solve the system of equations
After applying the boundary conditions, we have the following equations
𝑦 2𝑦 5 (Eq. 2-2a)
𝑦 𝑦 4 (Eq. 2-3a)
Solving, we have
𝒚𝟑 𝟑
𝒚𝟐 𝟏
Also,
𝑦 𝑦 1
𝑦 1 1
𝒚𝟏 𝟎
Therefore, the numerical solution by FDM is
x y
1 0
2 1 (ANS.)
3 3
4 3
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 4 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Question 3
Consider the following differential equation
𝜕 𝑢 𝜕 𝑢
3𝑥 5
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
where
𝑥 ∈ 0, 6 ; 𝑦 ∈ 0, 6
and the boundary conditions are
𝜕𝑢
0.8 and 𝑢 0, 𝑦 𝑢 𝑥, 0 𝑢 𝑥, 6 25
𝜕𝑥
Solve numerically using finite difference method with mesh size of 2 in both x and y directions.
Solution
The domain and boundary conditions are
j=3 6 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25
j=2 4 u = 25 u’ = 0.8
j=1 2 u = 25 u’ = 0.8
j=0 0 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 x
0 2 4 6
i=0 i=1 i=2 i=3
We can make use of solution symmetry to reduce the number of unknowns to solve for. Based on
symmetry, we know that
u1,1 = u1,2
u2,1 = u2,2
u3,1 = u3,2
Step 1 – Convert differential equation to difference equation
The difference equation for this Poisson equation is
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢, 𝑢, 4𝑢 , 2 3𝑥 , 5
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢, 𝑢, 4𝑢 , 12𝑥 , 20 (Eq. 3-1)
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 5 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Step 2 – Setup difference equation at each node with unknown value. Apply boundary conditions that
provide known boundary values also.
Apply Eq. 3-1 to each node with unknown value as follows. We will substitute known boundary
values to the equation also. Because of symmetry, we will only need to consider the nodes along
either j = 1 or j = 2. Let’s consider nodes along j = 1.
At i = 1, j = 1 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12𝑥 , 20
25 𝑢 , 25 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12 2 20
𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 6 (Eq. 3-2)
At i = 2, j = 1 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12𝑥 , 20
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 25 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12 4 20
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 43 (Eq. 3-3)
At i = 3, j = 1 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12𝑥 , 20
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 25 𝑢 , 4𝑢 , 12 6 20
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 67 (Eq. 3-4)
Step 3 – Apply derivative boundary conditions
(i) Apply 𝑢′ , 0.8
By central difference,
𝑢 , 𝑢 ,
𝑢′ , 0.8
2ℎ
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 3.2
𝑢 , 3.2 𝑢 ,
Substitute to Eq. 3-4, which becomes
𝑢 , 3.2 𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 67
2𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 63.8 (Eq. 3-4a)
Step 4 – Solve the system of equations
After applying the boundary conditions, we have the following equations
𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 6 (Eq. 3-2)
𝑢 , 𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 43 (Eq. 3-3)
2𝑢 , 3𝑢 , 63.8 (Eq. 3-4a)
Solving we have,
𝒖𝟏,𝟏 𝟖. 𝟑𝟖
𝒖𝟐,𝟏 𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟑 (ANS.)
𝒖𝟑,𝟏 𝟒𝟐. 𝟎𝟐
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 6 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
and by symmetry,
𝒖𝟏,𝟐 𝒖𝟏,𝟏 𝟖. 𝟑𝟖
𝒖𝟐,𝟐 𝒖𝟐,𝟏 𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟑 (ANS.)
𝒖𝟑,𝟐 𝒖𝟑,𝟏 𝟒𝟐. 𝟎𝟐
The calculated values are shown in the mesh below...
j=3 6 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25
j=2 4 u = 25 u = -8.38 u = -31.13 u = -42.02
j=1 2 u = 25 u = -8.38 u = -31.13 u = -42.02
j=0 0 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 u = 25 x
0 2 4 6
i=0 i=1 i=2 i=3
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 7 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Question 4
Consider a simply supported beam that is subjected to two point loads as shown below. Determine the
deflection at the nodes along the beam using finite difference method with a mesh size of 1 m. Take EI
as 1×105 kNm2.
120 kN 40 kN
A B
1m 2m 1m
4m
Solution
The mesh and boundary conditions are as follows
1 2 3 4 5 Nodes are 1 m
apart
The boundary conditions are
y(0) = y1 = 0
y(4) = y5 = 0
Step 1 – Determine the bending moment function along the beam
The reaction at Support A and Support B are determined based on static equilibrium and they are
RA = 100 kN
RB = 60 kN
By inspection, there are three moment functions along the entire beam’s length. Let’s call the
functions Ma, Mb and Mc where
Ma is from x = 0 to 1 m
Mb is from x = 1 to 3 m
Mc is from x = 3 to 4 m
Let’s determine Ma, Mb, and Mc by considering the cuts as shown below.
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 8 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Cut A Cut B Cut C
120 kN 40 kN
A B
1m 2m 1m
3m
Consider Cut A to determine Ma
Cut A
+ ΣMcut = 0 𝑀 100𝑥 0
Ma
𝑀 100𝑥
x
100
Consider Cut B to determine Mb
120 kN Cut B
+ ΣMcut = 0 𝑀 120 𝑥 1 100𝑥 0
Mb
𝑀 20𝑥 120
1 x-1
100 x
Consider Cut C to determine Mc
120 kN 40 kN Cut C
+ ΣMcut = 0 𝑀 40 𝑥 3 120 𝑥 1 100𝑥 0
Mc
1 2 x-3 𝑀 60𝑥 240
x
100
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 9 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Step 2 - Convert governing differential equation to difference equation
The governing differential equation is
𝑑 𝑦 𝑀
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
and the difference equation for this equation is
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀
ℎ 𝐸𝐼
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀
1 1 10
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀 10
Step 3 – Setup difference equation at each node with unknown deflection value. Apply boundary
conditions also.
At Node 2 (i = 2),
𝑀 𝑀 1 100 1 100 kNm
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀 10
𝑦 2𝑦 0 100 10
𝑦 2𝑦 100 10 (Eq. 4-1)
At Node 3 (i = 3),
𝑀 𝑀 2 20 2 120 80 kNm
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀 10
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 80 10 (Eq. 4-2)
At Node 4 (i = 4),
𝑀 𝑀 3 20 3 120 60 kNm
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 𝑀 10
0 2𝑦 𝑦 60 10 (Eq. 4-3)
Step 4 – Solve the system of equations
After applying the boundary conditions, we have the following equations
𝑦 2𝑦 100 10 (Eq. 4-1)
𝑦 2𝑦 𝑦 80 10 (Eq. 4-2)
2𝑦 𝑦 60 10 (Eq. 4-3)
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 10 of 11
SCE5401 Computational and Engineering Analysis
Assignment 1 – Solutions
Solving we have,
𝑦 0.0013 m
𝑦 0.0016 m
𝑦 0.0011 m
Therefore, the deflection at each node along the beam are
Node y
0 0
1 -0.0013 m
2 -0.0016 m (ANS.)
3 -0.0011 m
4 0
Prepared by: Dr. Cliff Leung
Revision: Rev. 00 Page 11 of 11
