Some Useful Numerical Methods Excel/VBA Codes with Applications

Mechanical, aerospace and chemical engineers are benefiting from the development, use and application of numerical methods to solve hitherto unsolvable problems related to engineering. The widespread availability of Excel and its visual basic for applications VBA computer programming feature make readily available the techniques for everyone, including undergraduate and graduate students at universities, and engineers in industry. The methodology of integrating this computer programming style into engineering education is the focus of the present contribution. Coverage includes the solution of sets of linear and nonlinear equations, various types of curve fitting, interpolation, differentiation and integration of functions of one or two independent variables, and numerical solution of ODEs and PDEs of elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic form. The present approach includes standard coverage of numerical methods for engineers, imbued with problems, applied problems and a large variety of sample Excel/VBA codes. These codes can be modified and used on the standard course material and form the basis for applied design projects. Illustrations are given in the paper of experiences and successes with this approach to educating our next generation of engineers. The computer codes are very user-friendly with application directly to the solution of applied engineering problems, for which some useful results are generated and discussed.