Computer Simulation and Bridge Design

by Benjamin Ellison

Submitted : Spring 2010

A computer simulation or computer model, defined by Webster’s dictionary, attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. They are used in many fields including math and physics. A computer simulation can range from ones that take only a few minutes to ones that take hours and use lots of computer power. In present times people, in general, are accustomed to using computers to solve many of their problems and forget how much work it actually takes to come up with the answer at the end of the process. This is why we will look at a bridge design and do the pencil work to reiterate how much time and work a computer actually saves us. The problem presented involves a bridge design and uses physics and a little calculus to solve for various variables acting on the bridge. Then throughout the project different aspects of this bridge will change, hence showing how the variable will change along with it.

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