Mathematical modeling: case studies from industry

Abstract

There is a growing need in today's world to support the study of industrial problems with an appropriate analysis anchored in the underlying basic physical principles that are involved and their description in mathematical terms. With the increasing availability of ever-improving computational facilities, it is all the more important to ensure that a balanced understanding of the problem is based on sound physical principles that concentrate on effects of leading importance and to ensure that secondary effects are appropriately considered. This process requires a proper consideration of mathematical techniques that often concentrate on partial differential equations to formulate the equations of motion and to achieve their solution. This involves an appreciation of a wide range of techniques, both analytical as well as numerical, ranging from underlying symmetries to asymptotic techniques. The purpose of this book is to address a selection of a wide-ranging set of typical industrial problems highlighting just these very features in a balanced way. The book achieves these objectives in a clear way, ensuring a high quality of presentation as well as content. The wide-ranging scope of the problems considered does not sacrifice the depth to which they are treated. In summary, it achieves its objectives in a very useful, clear and satisfactory way and constitutes a very good example of how practical problems of industry can be helped by mathematical modelling. The material is very well laid out in a clear and accessible way with maximum simplicity in mind. Appropriate diagrams and a very suitable set of references to support further study of the problem are also included. The book meets the high standards of production characteristic of Cambridge University Press. Its readership should comprise third-year undergraduate students as well as postgraduate MSc and PhD students, extending to include all those in industry whose interests lie in the province of practical mathematical modelling with applications in mind. The book is available in hardback as well as in economical paperback copies that could be of particular benefit to students. Phiroze Kapadia