Computer Modeling/Simulation: Dam Design

by Brian Fee

Submitted : Spring 2011

A computer simulation, a computer model, or a computational model is a computer program, or network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modeling of many natural systems in physics (computational physics), astrophysics, chemistry and biology, human systems in economics, psychology, and social science and in the process of engineering new technology, to gain insight into the operation of those. Computer simulations vary from computer programs that run a few minutes, to network-based groups of computers running for hours, to ongoing simulations that run for days. The scale of events being simulated by computer simulations has far exceeded anything possible (or perhaps even imaginable) using the traditional paper-and-pencil mathematical modeling. Computer modeling is also used heavily in architecture. Computer modeling/simulations are used to find techniques to make structures more durable and stable from natural calamities like earthquakes and artificial ones like bomb explosion etc.

This project will demonstrate how the use of computers can assist engineers in a task such as dam building. The project has problems outlined, and I complete these problems by hand and then create a computer program to achieve quicker results.

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