The Islamic University of Gaza

Faculty of Engineering

Civil Engineering Department

Applications of First & Second

Order Differential Equation in
Civil Engineering Field

Name: Mahmoud K Elhessi

SID: 120181409
Supervisor: Raed Salha

April/2020
Abstract

In this research, we have looked forward to studying some applications in Civil Engineering
which use Ordinary Differential Equations First and Second-order.
Chapter 1 talks about FODEs, we have defined FODEs and taken two applications on it, Ferry
Boat and Bar with Variable Cross-Section, we have created their equations.
Chapter 2 talks about SODEs, we have defined SODEs and taken one application on it, it is
the Suspension Bridge, we have created its equation, it is a very important equation in Civil
Engineering.
After researching and reading previous studies, we have concluded that The DE is very
important in Civil Engineering and mathematics is the basic base of Engineering generally.

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Contents

Abstract ........................................................................................................................i
Introduction .................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: First Order Differential Equations (FODEs) ......................................................2
1.1 Definition of FODE ...............................................................................................2
1.2 Applications of FODEs ..........................................................................................2
1.2.1 Ferry Boat .....................................................................................................2
1.2.2 Bar with Variable Cross-Section .......................................................................4
Chapter 2: Second Order Differential Equations (SODEs) .................................................6
2.1 Definition of SODE ...............................................................................................6
2.2 Applications of SODEs ..........................................................................................6
2.2.1 The Suspension Bridge ...................................................................................6
Conclusions..................................................................................................................9
References ................................................................................................................. 10

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Introduction

We can define a differential equation (DE) as is an equation for an unknown function that
contains not only the function but also its derivatives. In general, the unknown function may
depend on several variables and the equation may include various partial derivatives. [1]

Nearly all the fundamental principles that govern physical processes of engineering interest are
described by differential equations. Hence, it is fair to say that the ability to analyze, solve and
understand differential equations is fundamentally important for engineers. [2]

Differential equations have wide applications in various engineering and science

disciplines. In general, modeling variations of a physical quantity, such as temperature,
pressure, displacement, velocity, stress, strain, or concentration of a pollutant, with the change
of time t or location, such as the coordinates (x, y, z), or both would require differential
equations. Similarly, studying the variation of a physical quantity on other physical quantities
would lead to differential equations. For example, the change of strain on stress for some
viscoelastic materials follows a differential equation. [3]

Civil engineering is a profession that applies mathematical and physical science principles to
design and develop structures and methods to utilize materials and forces of nature for the
benefit of humanity. Civil engineers create buildings, industrial plants and transportation
infrastructure, DE, is a more advanced mathematics course required by some civil engineering
programs. It includes topics like first-order differential equations, undetermined coefficients
and systems of linear differential equations, with a focus on applications to science and
engineering. [4]

ODEs have been using in Civil Engineering field a lot, So In this research, we are going to
show applications of ordinary differential equations in two types First & Second order DE,
specifically, in Civil Engineering field.

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Chapter 1: First Order Differential Equations
(FODEs)

1.1 Definition of FODE

A first-order differential equation is defined by an equation: 𝒅𝒚/𝒅𝒙 = 𝒇 (𝒙, 𝒚) of two

variables x and y with its function f(x,y) defined on a region in the x,y-plane. It has only the
first derivative dy/dx, so that the equation is of the first order and not higher-order derivatives.
The differential equation in first-order can also be written as;

𝑦’ = 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑜𝑟 (𝑑/𝑑𝑥) 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦) (1)

The DE is generally used to express a relation between the function and its derivatives. In
Physics and chemistry, it is used as a technique for determining the functions over its domain
if we know the functions and some of the derivatives. [5]

1.2 Applications of FODEs

1.2.1 Ferry Boat

A ferry boat is crossing a river of width W from point A to point O as shown in the following
figure. The boat is always aiming toward the destination O. The speed of the river flow is
constant vR and the speed of the boat is constant vB. we are going to determine the equation of
the path traced by the boat using FODE.

FIGURE 1.1 (BOAT MOTION)

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At time t, the boat is at point P with coordinates (x, y). The velocity of the boat has two
components: the velocity of the boat vB relative to the river flow and the velocity of the river
vR in the y direction. Decompose the velocity components vB and vR in the x− (decreasing
direction) and y−directions.

Variable t can be eliminated by dividing these two equations

(1)

Equation (1) is a Homogeneous DE

Let then equation (1) becomes as follows:

(2)
Equation (2) is a Separable DE, then becomes as following:

Replacing u by the original variables yields

By Squaring

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The constant C is determined by the initial condition t = 0, x = W, y = 0:

Then, the equation of path becomes as follows:

(3)

1.2.2 Bar with Variable Cross-Section

A bar with circular cross-sections is supported at the top end and is subjected to a
load of P as shown in Figure 1.2(a). The length of the bar is L. The weight density of the
materials is ρ per unit volume. It is required that the stress at every point is constant σa.
we are going to determine the equation for the cross-section of the bar.

FIGURE 1.2 (A BAR UNDER AXIAL LOAD)

Consider a cross-section at level x as shown in Figure 3.14(b). The corresponding radius is y.
The volume of a circular disk of thickness dx is dV =πy2dx. The volume of the segment of bar
between 0 and x is

and the weight of this segment is

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The normal stress is

Now, we have differentiated the equation and became as follows:

(1)

Equation (1) is a separable DE, Now, we are going to solve it

𝑑𝑦 𝜌 𝜌
= 𝑑𝑥 ln(𝑦) = 𝑥+𝑐
𝑦 2 𝜎𝑎 2 𝜎𝑎
𝜌
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑒 2 𝜎𝑎 (2)

By squaring eq (2) and multiplying it by 𝜋 we get the general equation for the cross-section
of the bar as follows:
𝜌
2 2 𝑥
𝐴(𝑥 ) = 𝜋𝑦 = 𝜋𝑐 𝑒 𝜎𝑎 (3)

The constant 𝐶 is determined by the initial condition x = 0, W(0) = 0, F(0) = P

𝑃 𝑃 𝑃
𝜎(0) = = 𝜌 = = 𝜎𝑎
𝐴(0) .(0) 𝜋𝑐 2
𝜋𝑐 2 𝜎
𝑒 𝑎
Then, we get

𝑃
𝑐2 =
𝜋𝜎𝑎
2
By substituting 𝑐 in eq (3)

𝑃 𝜌 𝑃 𝜎𝜌 𝑥
𝜎 𝑥
𝐴(𝑥 ) = 𝜋. .𝑒 𝑎 = .𝑒 𝑎
𝜋𝜎𝑎 𝜎𝑎
Then we get equation for the cross-section of the bar as follows:

𝜌
𝑃 𝑥
𝐴(𝑥 ) = .𝑒 𝜎𝑎 0≤ 𝑥 ≤𝐿 (4)
𝜎𝑎

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Chapter 2: Second Order Differential Equations
(SODEs)

2.1 Definition of SODE

The equation which includes second-order derivative is the second-order differential

equation. It is represented as; [5]

𝑑/𝑑𝑥(𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥) = 𝑑 2 𝑦/𝑑𝑥 2 = 𝑓”(𝑥) = 𝑦” (1)

2.2 Applications of SODEs

2.2.1 The Suspension Bridge

A typical suspension bridge consists of cables, piers (towers), anchors, hangers (suspenders),
and deck (stiffening girder). Normally the self-weights of the cables are negligible compared
with the load they carry. The load on the cables is from the load on the deck, which includes
the self-weight of the deck and traffic load, and is transmitted by the hangers. [3]

FIGURE 2.1 (A SUSPENSION BRIDGE)

Consider a cable supported at two supports A and B as shown in Figure 2.2(a).

The load on the cable is modeled as a distributed load w(x). Set up the Cartesian
coordinate system by placing the origin at the lowest point of the cable.

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 FIGURE 2.2 (A CABLE UNDER DISTRIBUTED LOAD)
To create a DE for this bridge, consider a segment of the cable from 𝑂 to 𝑥 as shown in
Figure 2.2 (b), there are more than one force acts on the bridge as follows:
1. The horizontal tension force 𝐻 at the left hand.
2. The tension force 𝑇(𝑥) tangents the cable at the right hand.
3. The distributed force 𝑤(𝑥) in the portion between 𝑂 and 𝑥.
Remark: the third force 𝑤(𝑥) can be replaced with resultant force 𝑊(𝑥) at centroid of the
area between 𝑂 and 𝑥.
By applying equilibrium forces equations in x-direction and y-direction we get the following:
(1)
(2)

Dividing eq (1) by eq (2)

From geometry, we get

Differentiating with respect to x leads to

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Suppose that 𝑤(𝑥) = 𝑤, we get the second order DE as follows:

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑤
= (1)
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐻
We will integrate eq (1) with respect to 𝑥 we get:

𝑑𝑦
We know that 𝑑𝑥 = 0 at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 = 0,because we have taken the origin at the lowest point,
by subtitling in initial conditions, the value of 𝐶 = 0 , Integrating again leads to

where the constant D is determined from the initial condition 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0:

𝑤
𝑦= 𝑥2 (2)
2𝐻

Equation (2) gives the shape of the cable.

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Conclusions

After preparation this research and reading previous studies, we have concluded that the DE, in
general, is very important in Civil Engineering, be it is Ordinary or partial, there are many
applications on it in all Engineering fields, So Engineering without mathematics is nothing, and
Engineering with mathematics is everything.

𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝑚𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠 = 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑚𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠 = 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔

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References

[1] A. Grigorian, Ordinary Differential Equation, 2008.

[2] B. Goodwine, "Introdction," in Engineering Differential Equations:, 2008, p. 1.

[3] W.-C. Xie, "Introduction," in Differential Equations for Engineers, 2010.

[4] M. Jain, "Application of Mathematics in civil Engineering," International Journal of

Innovations in Engineering and Technology (IJIET), vol. 8, no. 3, 2017.

[5] "First Order Differential Equation," byjus, [Online]. Available:

https://byjus.com/maths/first-order-differential-equation/. [Accessed 2020].

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