CGN 2420 - Computer Tools for Civil Engineers Homework #6 Solution

This document presents the solution to Homework #6 for CGN 2420, focusing on the application of computer tools in Civil Engineering. The assignment involves analyzing the trajectory of a projectile (e.g., a baseball or golf ball) using mathematical equations, and the use of software like Excel and Mathcad. The solution details the process of calculating displacement, time of flight, maximum height, and x-range for a ball with a given initial velocity and angle, utilizing formulas and plotting the results. The Excel Solver tool is used to minimize tension and find the value of D at a specific tension level. The solution also includes a comparison between Excel and Mathcad, highlighting their respective strengths in handling calculations, graphing, and integration with other engineering software. The solution includes references to the sources used.

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Student Name
Professor’s Name
Course Name
Date
Problem 3
a) Using Excel, define the range of D and other variables such as W, Lb, Lc and write down
the formula for T in terms of the defined variables ("Ms Excel").
The plot of T(N) against D(m) is given below
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
T(N) vs D(m)
D(m)
T(N)

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b) To minimize the value, use the Excel Solver tool and set the various parameters
appropriately and set the “To” field to Min (Stewart 88).
The figure below shows the Excel solver interface to minimize the function T(D)
The minimum value of D is 2.12132 m as shown in the spreadsheet attached with a
corresponding minimum tension of 1333.33 N ("Ms Excel").
c) To obtain value of D at T=1.1*T_min
Using excel solver:

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T =1.1 ×T min=1.1×1333.33=1466.67 N
To obtain value of D at 1466.67, we use excel solver and set the “To” field to “Value of”=
1466.67 and solve to for D at that point (Bird 153).
D=2.5248 m
Range (0, 2.5248 m)

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Comparison between Excel and MathCAD
MathCAD handles all calculations and grahing functions using the real maths notation while in
Excel, the equations are written in nested cell arguments and not proper maths notation
("Mathcad Or Excel? - Adept Scientific").
In MathCAD, one can define and drag regions anywhere within the spreadsheet alongside being
able to format the text and math symbols. This is not possible in Excel
MathCAD allows the use of headers and footers and one can even add images unlike in Excel
("Mathcad | Mathcad").
Mathcad integrates with modern engineering software such as Mathworks which Excel do not
support.

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References
"Mathcad | Mathcad". Mathcad.Com, 2020, https://www.mathcad.com/en. Accessed 30 Mar
2020.
"Mathcad Or Excel? - Adept Scientific". Adeptscience.Co.Uk, 2020,
http://www.adeptscience.co.uk/products/mathsim/mathcad/mathcad-excel.html.
"Ms Excel". Office.Live.Com, 2020, https://office.live.com/start/excel.aspx. Accessed 30 Mar
2020.
Bird, J. Higher Engineering Mathematics. 4th ed., Newnes, 2017.
Stewart, James. Calculus. 8th ed., Brooks/Cole, 2013.