JOURNAL OF COMPUTING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING / OCTOBER 2000 / 273 APPLICATIONS OF MATHEMATICAL SOFTWARE PACKAGES IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE By Primus V. Mtenga 1 and Lisa K. Spainhour, 2 Members, ASCE ABSTRACT: The use of mathematical software packages provides a number of benefits to an engineering user. In general, the packages provide a platform that supports iterative design and parametric analysis through a flexible, transparent interface combined with extensive computing power. This enables an engineering user to develop design equations that are based on fundamental mechanics theories, rather than relying on the ‘‘black- box’’ approach of most commercial design packages. As an example, a closed-form solution for obtaining effective length factors for the design of stepped columns is presented. In the example a series of formula is used to demonstrate the transparency of Mathcad, including the ability of using real engineering units in the calculations, formulas as they may appear in textbooks or in codes, and ability to hide and password protect some areas. This facilitates easier automation of the design and design checking processes. Most commercial structural design packages can be classified as black-box packages. The analyst inputs data at one end only to receive results at the other without fully appreciating the process the input data have gone through. This phe- nomenon has the tendency of reducing the engineer to a technician, blindly implementing the ideas of the software designer. The Mathcad package discussed in this paper and similar mathematical packages returns the engineer to being in control of the design process. INTRODUCTION Advances in computing power have revolutionized the civil engineering field over the past few decades. Finite-element analysis programs have made it possible to solve complex sys- tems with more degrees of freedom than imagined a few years past. Computer-aided drafting software has virtually elimi- nated hand drawing from the engineering office. Moreover, the ever-decreasing cost of the microcomputer has made them af- fordable to civil engineering firms of all sizes and specialties. This availability, coupled with the fast-growing library of en- gineering computer software, has greatly expanded the engi- neer’s effectiveness, thus allowing the engineer to be more competitive in the marketplace. However, with this increase in microcomputer and software availability, several ethical questions concerning a possible mi- crocomputer misuse have arisen and need to be addressed (Gifford 1987). The ‘‘black-box’’ syndrome, infinite accuracy of the computer, data/input integrity, instant expertise of the engineer, and lack of judgment on the part of the engineer are identified as the microcomputer misuses of most concern. Ac- cording to Gifford, these problems are best avoided through education in the ethical use of microcomputers. This education should be aimed at, among other things (1) understanding the software’s philosophy; (2) ascertaining the software’s suitabil- ity and design acceptability; and (3) realizing it is the profes- sional responsibility of the engineer to use the microcomputer as a powerful design aid only, not allowing his judgment to be sacrificed. The increasing power of spreadsheet programs and mathe- matical software packages can be used as one of the tools to address the ethical problems raised by Gifford. The benefits of such programs are especially apparent in the classroom and small design office, where the ability to perform ‘‘what-if’’ type calculations has proven the most useful. This paper illus- trates the application of a mathematical software package to 1 Civ. Engrg. Dept., Florida A&M Univ.-Florida State Univ. Coll. of Engrg., 2525 Pottsdamer St., Tallahassee, FL 32310. 2 Civ. Engrg. Dept., Florida A&M Univ.-Florida State Univ. Coll. of Engrg., 2525 Pottsdamer St., Tallahassee, FL 32310. Note. Editor: Sivand Lakmazaheri. Discussion open until March 1, 2001. To extend the closing date one month, a written request must be filed with the ASCE Manager of Journals. The manuscript for this tech- nical note was submitted for review and possible publication on August 25, 1998. This paper is part of the Journal of Computing in Civil En- gineering, Vol. 14, No. 4, October, 2000. ASCE, ISSN 0887-3801/00/ 0004-0273–0278/$8.00 + $.50 per page. Technical Note No. 19098. the problem of stepped column design, where a closed-form solution, made feasible by the mathematical software package, is proposed. The advantages of using the closed-form approach are clear in comparison to the current method, which involves a 3D interpolation between values from several standard ta- bles. The use of mathematical packages in the analysis and design process allows transparency without a significant ad- verse effect on the speed of the process. BENEFITS OF MATHEMATICS SOFTWARE PROGRAMS Mathematical software packages, including Mathcad, Math- ematica, MathView, MATLAB, and Maple, provide powerful computational tools for both engineering education and prac- tice. With these tools, it is possible to solve very complex mathematical problems with the click of a computer mouse. In addition, this capacity enables engineers to base their de- signs on fundamental mechanics theories, rather than empirical or tabular relationships. Although the capabilities and features, as well as the nature of the interface, vary from program to program, each provides an environment from which equations representing engineering problems can be easily and quickly solved. Most programs of this type provide the following ca- pabilities: • Numeric and symbolic computations • Algebraic, trigonometric, and matrix functions • Graphics capabilities • Conditional programming • Flexible, easy to use interface Most design offices now use commercial software packages for their structural analysis and design. Most commercial pack- ages can be classified as black-box packages. The analyst in- puts data at one end only to receive results at the other without fully appreciating the process the input data has gone through. This phenomenon has the tendency of reducing the engineer to a technician, blindly implementing the ideas of the software designer. If this trend is allowed to continue, sooner or later the teaching of structural engineering will have to change to reflect this development. On the other hand, mathematical software packages provide a great deal of computing power and flexibility in an inexpen- sive package, making them ideal for educational and small office environments. The biggest benefit to this group of users, J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 2000.14:273-278. Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY on 08/22/13. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.