De La Salle Integrated School

Manila Campus

Class-Produced Project: Application of Integral Calculus to Engineering

In Partial Fulfillment of the
Course Requirements for

CALENG2
3RD Term, AY 2022-2023

Submitted by:
Cabial, Rey Chris John
Diaz De Rivera , Jaime Lorenzo
Yang, Yuankai

Submitted to:
Ms.Marylou Uy

Submitted on:
August 9, 2023
I. Introduction

What our group wanted to discuss was the role and function of integrals in heat transfer in
solid rods. We know that differential equations are often encountered when solving some physical
problems, such as the formulas involved in the heat transfer of solid rods. But to analyze heat
transfer in a solid rod, we need to reverse the differential process, which is another way of saying
the integral: the antiderivative (2). Heat transfer involves moving thermal energy from one area to
another due to temperature differences. For solid rods, integration is used to determine the
temperature distribution along the rod and the heat transfer through the rod. In the actual scene,
we usually need to calculate the total heat transfer of a specific part. At this time, the use of definite
integrals will be involved. By setting the interval for the integral formula and calculating, the heat
transfer between the specified two points can be obtained (3).

Also, when integrating the temperature gradient equation, an integration constant C is

introduced, which is responsible for the integration process. The value of this constant is
determined by the boundary conditions of the problem. For example, if you know the temperature
at one or more specific points on the rod, you can use these conditions to solve for C. The constant
C affects the overall shape of the temperature profile (3).

II. Application of Integral Calculus

Real-Life Engineering Application: Heat Transfer in a Solid Rod

Mechanism and Uses: Heat transfer is critical in many engineering applications, including heat
transfer through solid materials such as rods. Engineers frequently analyze the temperature
distribution along a solid rod to better understand its thermal behavior and optimize its design for
applications such as heat exchangers, electrical components, and more.

Advantages:
• Improved Design: Understanding temperature distribution helps in designing more
efficient and reliable systems.
• Energy Efficiency: Optimizing heat transfer reduces energy wastage.
• Safety: Prevents overheating in critical components.
• Process Optimization: Applies to industries like manufacturing, electronics, and energy.

Disadvantages:
• Complex Math: Calculations involving integral calculus can be intricate.
• Assumptions: Real-world scenarios often involve assumptions that might not hold true in
all cases.

Integral Calculus Influence:

Heat Conduction Equation: The heat conduction equation describes how heat flows within a
solid material. For a one-dimensional case, considering a solid rod, the equation is given by:
Where:
• k is the thermal conductivity of the material.
• A is the cross-sectional area of the rod.
• T is the temperature as a function of position x.
• Q(x) is the heat generation rate per unit volume.

Solving the Equation: Solving this differential equation requires using integral calculus
techniques. By integrating the equation, boundary conditions, and initial conditions, engineers can
determine the temperature distribution along the rod under various conditions.

Example #1: Heat Conduction in a Metal Rod

Problem: Consider a 1-meter long metal rod with a constant cross-sectional area of 0.01 m². The
rod's initial temperature is 100°C. The left end of the rod is in contact with a heat source that
maintains a constant temperature of 200°C, while the right end is insulated.

Goal: Determine the temperature distribution along the rod after a certain time.

Assumptions:
• Steady-state condition (no change in time).
• Uniform thermal conductivity k=50 W/mK
• Heat generation rate Q(x)=0 (no internal heat sources).

Heat Conduction Equation:

Solution: The equation simplifies to:

Integrating this equation twice:

Applying boundary conditions:

• At x=0, T=200°C: C2=200°C
• At x=1, T=100°C: C1/kA+C2=100°C
Solving for C1:

Substituting back into the equation:

Temperature Distribution: The temperature distribution along the rod is a linear function:
• At x=0, T=200°C.
• At x=1, T=100°C.

Note: This is a simplified example for illustrative purposes. In real-world scenarios, heat
conduction problems can be more complex and might require numerical methods for accurate
solutions.

Example #2: Thermal Expansion of a Metal Rod with Integral Calculus

Problem: A metal rod of length 1 meter and initial temperature 20°C is heated to a final
temperature of 80°C. If the coefficient of linear expansion for the metal is 2.5×10−5 ℃−1 , calculate
the change in length of the rod using integral calculus.

Solution: The change in length of a material due to temperature change can also be calculated
using integral calculus by considering the cumulative effect of thermal expansion across the entire
length of the rod.

The formula for linear expansion with an integral calculus approach is:

Where:
• ΔL is the change in length,
• α is the coefficient of linear expansion,
• L is the original length of the material,
• T1 is the initial temperature, and
• T2 is the final temperature.

Given values:
• Coefficient of linear expansion, α= 2.5×10−5 ℃−1
• Original length, L=1m
• Initial temperature, T1=20°C
• Final temperature, T2=80°C

Substitute these values into the integral formula

Integrate with respect to T:

Answer: The metal rod's length increases by 1.5 mm when heated from 20°C to 80°C due to its
thermal expansion, calculated using integral calculus

III. Conclusion

In conclusion, the illustration of heat conduction in a metal rod shows how integral calculus can
be used in real-world engineering applications. Engineers can determine the temperature
distribution along a solid rod when it is subjected to various boundary conditions by taking into
account the laws of heat transmission and applying the heat conduction equation. This knowledge
is essential for improving designs, ensuring safety, and enhancing the effectiveness of various heat
transfer-related engineering systems.

Integral calculus plays a pivotal role in solving the differential equations that describe how heat
flows through materials, and it enables engineers to model and predict temperature distributions
accurately. Through the application of integral calculus, engineers gain insights into the intricate
relationships between temperature, time, and space within materials, facilitating the development
of innovative technologies that enhance our daily lives while adhering to principles of efficiency
and safety.
Reference:

How integrations can be applied in real life situations. Unacademy. (2022, May 11).
https://unacademy.com/content/jee/study-material/mathematics/how-integrations-can-be-
applied-in-real-life-situations/

Incropera, F. P., & DeWitt, D. P. (2002). Introduction to Heat Transfer. Wiley. (For in-depth
understanding and complex examples).

University of Washington Center for Quantitative Science, U. by the T. P. (2020, October 26).
Chapter 7 Heat Transfer.: Calculus-integration. Chapter 7 Heat Transfer.|Calculus-Integration.
https://bookdown.org/huckley/Physical_Processes_In_Ecosystems/heattransfer.html
Contribution:

Cabial, Rey Chris John: II. Application of Integral Calculus

III. Conclusion

Yang, Yuankai: I. Introduction