In the dynamic digital age, the widespread use of computers has transformed engineering and science. A realistic and successful solution of an engineering problem usually begins with an accurate physical model of the problem and a proper understanding of the assumptions employed. With computers and appropriate software we can model and analyze complex physical systems and problems.

However, efficient and accurate use of numerical results obtained from computer programs requires considerable background and advanced working knowledge to avoid blunders and the blind acceptance of computer results. This book provides the background and knowledge necessary to avoid these pitfalls, especially the most commonly used numerical methods employed in the solution of physical problems. It offers an in-depth presentation of the numerical methods for scales from nano to macro in nine self-contained chapters with extensive problems and up-to-date references, covering:

• Trends and new developments in simulation and computation



• Weighted residuals methods



• Finite difference methods



• Finite element methods



• Finite strip/layer/prism methods



• Boundary element methods



• Meshless methods



• Molecular dynamics



• Multiphysics problems



• Multiscale methods

About the Author:

Ken P. Chong was the former Interim Division Director, Engineering Advisor, and Program Director of Structural Systems, Mechanics and Materials at the National Science Foundation (NSF), 1989 - 2009. Currently he is a Research Professor at George Washington University. He earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Princeton University in 1969. He specializes in solid mechanics and materials, computational mechanics, nano-mechanics, smart structures and structural mechanics. He has been the principal investigator of over 20 federally funded research projects (from NSF, DOD, DOE, DOI, etc). He was a senior research engineer with the National Steel Corp. for 5 years after graduation from Princeton. After that he was a professor for 15 years at a state university. He has published 200 technical papers, authored 4 textbooks on engineering mechanics including Elasticity in Engineering Mechanics; Approximate Solution Methods in Engineering Mechanics, and edited 10 books including University Programs in Computer-Aided Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing; Materials for the New Millennium; Modeling and Simulation-based Life-cycle Engineering. He was the editor of the Elsevier Journal of Thin-Walled Structures, 1987-2013. He is co-editor of the UK Journal of Smart and Nano Materials, a CRC/Spon book series on structures as well as serving on several editorial boards. He has given over 50 keynote lectures at major conferences, the Mindlin, Sadowsky and Raouf Lectures, received awards including the fellow of ASME, American Academy of Mechanics, SEM, and United States Association for Computational Mechanics; Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award; Honorary Doctorate, Shanghai University; Honorary Professor, Harbin Institute of Technology; NCKU Distinguished Alumnus, Distinguished Member, ASCE; NSF highest Distinguished Service Award, AWU-DOE Outstanding Academic and Professional Achievement Award, and the ASME Bel