Applied mathematical modelling of engineering problems (Q1396164)

This is a book on mathematical modeling in science and engineering which combines characteristic features of model-oriented, application-oriented, and method-oriented texts and deals with a wide range of practical applications. Although some stochastic models are considered in the study of diffusion processes, the monograph is mainly concerned with continuous deterministic models which are modeled by using differential, integral and difference equations, optimal control theory, and calculus of variations. All six main chapters of the book are virtually independent and can be studied separately. They can be briefly characterized as follows. Chapter 1 ``Some basic models of physical systems'' introduces the reader to the subject through the discussion of a selection of simple models describing dynamics of well-known processes like motion of a particle in gravitational field or 1-D nonlinear oscillations and vibrations. Integral models and inverse problems are also considered. The chapter finishes with a discussion of inverse problems arising in modeling of computerized tomography. In Chapter 2 ``Models of continuum mechanical systems'' basic conservation laws (mass, energy and momentum conservation) are introduced and the models resulting from these are analyzed in 1-D and 3-D cases. The authors pay a great deal of attention to a model of water transport and contamination used for control and conservation of water resources as well as for prediction of floods and chemical or radioactive contamination. Chapter 3 ``Variational models and structural stability of physical systems'' is concerned with variational techniques and their applications to formulation and study of models of mechanical and physical systems. First Hamilton's principle is applied to basic models of continuum mechanics describing vibrations of strings, bars, membranes, and plates. Then applications of variational models for the study of spectral problems and structural stability are considered. Chapter 4 ``Integral models of physical systems'' introduces two principal techniques for deriving integral models: conversion of differential models and primary integral description, as well as two powerful techniques: Green's functions and the boundary integral equations method. Integral models for membrane vibrations and for the dynamics of nuclear reactors are discussed in this chapter along with the models for propagation of traffic noise and dynamics of a mine rope. Models arising in population dynamics like Verhulst model for the growth of a species, age-dependent models for a single population (Lotka and Lotka-Von Foerster models), and others involving ordinary and partial differential equations, difference, integral equations and even stochastic methods for spatial diffusion are studied in Chapter 5 ``Modeling in bioengineering.'' A special section is devoted to bifurcation analysis of a new nonlinear integral model for an age-structured population developed by the authors. Chapter 6 ``Models of technological renovation in production systems'' is concerned with optimal control of a special class of nonlinear Volterra integral equations which involve unknown functions in the limits of integration. These equations are used to model rational replacement of industrial equipment under technological changes. Traditional models are first discussed, and then an aggregated model with endogenous useful life of equipment and a disaggregated integral model of equipment replacement are constructed and examined. Qualitative analysis of optimal replacement for the equipment is carried out and turnpike regimes of equipment replacement are studied under certain simplifying assumptions. Finally, basic facts from vector and integral calculus, calculus of variations, and some results on integral equations and integral inequalities are collected in Chapter 7 ``Appendix''. An extensive bibliography is provided. The book is well-written and can be used as a reference by applied mathematicians and engineers, as well as a complementary reading for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.