Approximation Techniques for Engineers: Second Edition

by Louis Komzsik

Overview

This second edition includes eleven new sections based on the approximation of matrix functions, deflating the solution space and improving the accuracy of approximate solutions, iterative solution of initial value problems of systems of ordinary differential equations, and the method of trial functions for boundary value problems. The topics of the two new chapters are integral equations and mathematical optimization. The book provides alternative solutions to software tools amenable to hand computations to validate the results obtained by "black box" solvers. It also offers an insight into the mathematics behind many CAD, CAE tools of the industry. The book aims to provide a working knowledge of the various approximation techniques for engineering practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138700055
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/13/2017
Edition description:	New
Pages:	386
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Komzsik is a graduate of the Technical University and the Eötvös University of Sciences, both in Budapest, Hungary. He worked for the Hungarian Shipyards in Budapest during the 1970s as an engineering analyst. After immigrating to the U.S., he worked for the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation between 1981-1982 as a senior analyst. Following that, he spent two decades as Chief Numerical Analyst at the MacNeal-Schwendler (now MSC Software) Corporation. After another decade and a half, he recently retired as Principal Key Expert from Siemens PLM Software.

He is the author of the original NASTRAN Numerical Methods Handbook, and a widely read book on The Lanczos Method that was also published in Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian. His books titled "Computational Techniques of Finite Element Analysis" and "Applied Calculus of Variations for Engineers and Approximation Techniques for Engineers" are already in their second editions. He is also the co-author of the book, "Rotor Dynamics with Finite Elements."

Table of Contents

Preface. Part I Data approximations. Classical interpolation methods. Approximation with splines. Least squares approximation. Approximation of functions. Numerical differentiation. Numerical integration. Part II Approximate solutions. Nonlinear equations in one variable. Systems of nonlinear equations. Iterative solution of linear systems. Approximate solution of eigenvalue problems. Initial value problems. Boundary value problems. Integral equations. Mathematical optimization.

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Komzsik's book is a rare combination of the basic knowledge in the areas of approximation and computational mechanics which is essential for an engineer. Exhaustive coverage of all the topics along with lucid presentation of the concepts and a wide variety of illustrative problems make this book a valuable source for advanced users. Logical sequence of the topics and nomenclature even allows beginners to cope with the complex field of approximation methods in science and technology. This book contains a large amount of information not found in standard textbooks. Written for the engineer involved in complex issues, it combines the modern mathematical standards of numerical analysis with an understanding on how to effectively use these abstract methods.

The new edition features integral equations and mathematical optimization methods toward their practical usage in the focus of finite and boundary element methods in solitary and coupled formulation as well."
—Thomas Flöck, R&D Engineer, Siemens Digital Factory/Motion Control, Erlangen, Germany

"The first edition of Louis Komzsik's book was an extremely valuable source of numerical routines for the last decade pushing the envelope in automotive applications. We awaited this second edition book for years and looking forward utilizing it in our work.

The BMW i8 model in the picture on the front depicts the various stages of approximations during the development of a car, ranging from sketches through finite element models to the final geometry. In this process engineers use many of the methods described in this book."
—Daniel Heiserer, BMW, Munich, Germany

"This book features an approachable blend of theoretical motivation with illustrative examples. Many of the methods described lend themselves to a matrix formulation, making them suitable for implementation using MATLAB®. The second edition is further improved by the inclusion of solution methods for integral equations and modern optimization applications. Almost any scientist or engineer will be able to find a topic of interest in this volume."
—Leonard Hoffnung, MathWorks Inc., USA

"This book collects a wide variety of numerical approximation techniques for easy reference, with detailed examples. There is, happily, sufficient exposition for the mathematically mature reader to use "Approximation Techniques" as an introductory text. Notation is clear and consistent, and the style is elegant yet comfortable; proof computations are included when they provide valuable context and intuition, and left out when the details are too cumbersome. The new chapters describe techniques which have applications as diverse as operations research and mathematical physics, but the new edition continues to provide ample engineering context and illustration from the perspective of Dr. Komzsik's extensive experience in the field."
—Gillian Grindstaff, The University of Texas at Austin, USA

"For the electronics engineer who wants to better understand numerical analysis, this book is a good fit, especially if you want to improve your matrix math ability. It has an intermediate amount of detail and the most important methods that will be found and used in power electronics, and for this reason, it can be a good book to acquire."
—Dennis Feucht, How2Power Newsletter, September 2017

"The reader can find many examples of numerical analyses of technical problems. This book is especially useful in those situations when engineers need a quantitative estimation of the phenomenon under study. The book may also be useful to graduate engineering students and to all who are interested in applied numerical calculations."
—Zentralblatt MATH, 2017

From the Publisher