You are on page 1of 44

Modelling- Module 1

Lecture 1

David Godfrey
Lecture 1 Introduction to Process

 Mathematical models
 Building a model
 Checking dimensional consistency
 Traffic light problem

Slide number 2
What is a Model?

 Dictionary definition

“Imitation of something on a
smaller scale”

Slide number 3
What is a Mathematical Model
of a System?
 A mathematical model is a set of
mathematical statements which
attempts to describe the system
 Usually the statements are
equations

Slide number 4
What is a System?...examples

 Flight of a ball
 A yacht
 A building
 The human body
 An electric supply grid

Slide number 5
Why use Mathematical Models?

 A deeper understanding of the


system is obtained and the laws of
nature are often relevant, e.g.
Newton’s laws of motion
 Enables systems to be designed
and/or modified without trial and
error on expensive full scale
models, i.e. we can use computer
models

Slide number 6
The Kiss Principle

 “Keep it simple stupid”


 In practice models are very
simplified and often only attempt
to model part of the system
 Always start by considering the
simplest model, then add in
more complexities to make the
model more realistic

Slide number 7
How to Build a Mathematical Model

 Identify the problem


 Formulate a mathematical
model
 Obtain a mathematical solution
 Interpret the solution
 Compare with reality
 either Go back through the loop
 or Write a report

Slide number 8
First Two Steps

 Represent the physical factors by


mathematical symbols (some will be
variables, including parameters, and
some will be constants)
 Make assumptions about how they
are related
 Formulate a precise problem
statement
 Formulate some equations

Slide number 9
Quantifiable Factors

 Constants
 Variables…input and output;
independent and dependant
 Parameters…fixed variables…often
fixed for this particular model and
often fixed to simplify the model

Slide number 10
Assumptions…about basic shapes

 Perfect formation of shapes


 Uniformity of thickness and density
 Ignore extra material…at this stage

 These assumptions “allow” us to use


standard formulae in our models

Slide number 11
Precise Problem Statement

 Given (input, variables, parameters,


constants) find (output, variables)
such that (condition is satisfied or
objective is achieved.
 E.g. Given a fixed width piece of
metal find the dimensions such that
the maximum volume is obtained
when the metal is formed into a “u”
shaped gutter

Slide number 12
A Simple Example: A Ball Falling
Under Gravity

DISTANCE y y
SPEED v
TIME t
v

MODEL dv/dt=g dy/d t=v

g is acceleration due to gravity- a constant

Slide number 13
Design Of A Gutter

10 - x 10 - x

2x

If base is 2x, then area is A =2x(10 - x )


x is input variable, A is output variable
Slide number 14
Graphing is a Powerful Solution
Tool e.g. Excel or Matlab

gutter

60

50

40
area

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
x

Slide number 15
Some Checks

 Are equations consistent – it is


particularly important to check
that they are DIMENSIONALLY
CORRECT
 It is also important to check the
qualitative behaviour

Slide number 16
Checking Dimensional Consistency

 Our equations must balance


mathematically and be dimensionally
consistent
 Three fundamental dimensions
Quantity Dimension Units
 Mass M kg
 Length L m
 Time T s
Slide number 17
Quantities with Multiple Dimensions

Quantity Dimension Units


 Velocity L/T m/s
 Acceleration L/T2 m/s2
 Area L2 m2
 Volume L3 m3
 Density M/L3 kg/ m3
 Energy ML2/T2 kgm2/s2

Slide number 18
An Example
A ball is thrown vertically upwards at speed v
Our theory predicts that it reaches a height
H=gV
g is the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s )

H = g V

DIMENSIONS L L / T2 L / T
L  L 2 / T 3 ????
UNITS metres = metres/sec2  metres /sec ??????

CONCLUSION We have made a BIG mistake!


Slide number 19
A More Constructive Approach
DIMENSIONS OF BASIC VARIABLES
H - length - - - - - - L Find an expression
2 combining g and V
g -acceleration - - -L / T so that the units
V - velocity - - - - -L / T cancel to L

ONLY possible dimensionally correct formula for H


2
is H= kV /g Need V2 so Ts cancel

where k is a number (no dimensions)


i.e. H is PROPORTIONAL to V2 /g.

Slide number 20
Predicting a Formula from the
Dimensions
Experiment shows that, for small amplitude,
the period of a simple pendulum depends on l
the length of the pendulum and not on the
mass or amplitude

Quantity Quantity Quantity


Period t Length l Acceleration g
Dimension Dimension Dimension
T L LT-2
These dimensions do not agree so some other factor
must be involved
The acceleration due to gravity g
Slide number 21
Balancing the Equation
Quantity Quantity Quantity
Period Length Acceleration
Dimension Dimension Dimension
T L LT-2
The problem is to get T from L and LT-2
Note that T 2 = L / LT-2

Hence the formula is:


l where k is a
tk
g dimensionless constant
(NB Theory gives k = 2)

Slide number 22
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

Note: As constants have no dimensions they


do not appear in our analysis

Slide number 23
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

M1
L3 T
 ML3T 1

Slide number 24
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

M1
L3 T
 ML3T 1

Slide number 25
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

M1
L3 T
 ML3T 1

Slide number 26
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1  L
M 2 2 
L3 T T L T
 ML T 3 1  MT 2 L2 L1T1
 ML3T 1

Slide number 27
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

Slide number 28
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration l is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2 
L3 T T L T L
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 ML3T 1

Slide number 29
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2 
L3 T T L T L
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 ML3T 1

Slide number 30
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2 
L3 T T L T L
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 ML3T 1

Slide number 31
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2  M 2
L3 T T L T L  
T L2 2
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 MLT 2 L4
 ML3T 1  MT 2 L3

Slide number 32
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A

L 1
M 2
 
T L2 2

 MLT 2 L4
 MT 2 L3

Slide number 33
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2  M 2
L3 T T L T L  
T L2 2
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 MLT 2 L4
 ML3T 1  MT 2 L3

Slide number 34
Checking Formulae

If v is a velocity, t is time, a is acceleration i is length,


A is area, V is volume, m is mass, F is force, and  is
density, is the following dimensionally consistent?
 ma F
3 2 2
t Avl A
1
M1 L 1 L 1 L 1
M 2 2  M 2
L3 T T L T L  
T L2 2
 ML T 3 1  MLT 2 L2 L1T1L-1
 MLT 2 L4
 ML3T 1  MT 2 L3
Not dimensionally consistent
Slide number 35
Modelling: The Basic Steps

 Identify the problem


 Develop a conceptual model
 Develop a mathematical model
 Solve the equations
 Compare results with reality
 Improve the model if necessary
 Write a report

Slide number 36
Modelling Traffic Lights
How long should traffic lights stay on green to
prevent excessive build up of cars?
We need a mathematical model which enables us
to calculate the number of cars which pass through
the lights in any given time.

Assume we have 10 cars at traffic lights with 10


metres between each one.
Model 1: all cars travelling at 12m/s
Model 2: all cars stationary then all accelerate at
12m/s/s
Model 3: as for model 2 but with reaction time of
1 sec before moving
Slide number 37
Model 1 - All cars travel at constant
speed of 12 m/s
Use: distance = speed  time

d = dist from lights at t


d  12 t  p p = starting position back from lights

Graphing this in Excel

Slide number 38
All 10 cars through the lights by 8 seconds
d
150

100

50

0 t
2 4 6 8
-50

-100
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car

Slide number 39
Model 2 - All cars accelerate from
rest at 12 m/s2
1 2 u=0
Use s  ut  at with
a = 12
2
d  6t  p 2

d = dist from lights at t


p = starting position back from lights

Graphing this in Excel

Slide number 40
d All 10 cars through the lights by 4 seconds
150

100

50

0 t
1 2 3 4
-50

-100
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car
Slide number 41
Model 3 - All cars accelerate from rest
at 12 m/s2 and 1sec delay
The car starting from distance p back from the
lights remains there for p/10 seconds
It then accelerates according to the same rule
as Model 2 (i.e. d = 6t2-p) but starting at time
p/10
6(t - p/10) 2 - p t  p/10
d= 
 -p otherwise

d = dist from lights at t


p = starting position back from lights

Graphing this in Excel

Slide number 42
All 10 cars through the lights by 13 seconds
1000

800

600

400

200

0
2 4 6 8 10 12
-200
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car
Slide number 43
Conclusions
If the aim is to clear a stream of 10 cars, 10 m apart:
 Model 1 - All cars travel at constant speed of 12 m/s
Lights stay on for 8 secs

 Model 2 - All cars start at same time and accelerate


at 12m / s  up to full speed.
Lights stay on for 4 secs

 Model 3 - Model 2 plus a “driver reaction time” of 1


second.
Lights stay on for 13 secs
Note that these times seem rather small. Our
models would then have to be compared with reality
and the assumptions checked.
Slide number 44

You might also like