Mathematical Modeling and Simulation - by Kai Velten (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Um dieses Buch zu verstehen, müssen Sie lediglich Grundkenntnisse der Integral- und Differenzialrechnung und der linearen Algebra mitbringen. Der Autor erklärt auch für Einsteiger und Studenten unterer Semester verständlich, wie man einfache mathematische Modelle formuliert, auswählt, anwendet und die Resultate kritisch analysiert.
Dies wird anhand von Beispielen aus vielen Disziplinen wie Biologie, Ökologie, Wirtschaft, Medizin, Landwirtschaft, Chemie, Elektrotechnik, Prozesstechnik und Maschinenbau erläutert, wobei neben elementaren statistischen Modellen, Regressionsmethoden und neuronalen Netzen auch Modelle in Form gewöhnlicher und partieller Differentialgleichungen detailliert behandelt werden. Das Buch stützt sich ausschließlich auf Open-Source-Software. Die gesamte Buchsoftware - einschließlich 3D-CFD- und 3D-Strukturmechanik-Simulationssoftware - kann auf Grundlage einer kostenlosen, im Internet erhältlichen CAELinux-Live-DVD genutzt werden.

From the Back Cover

This concise and clear introduction to the topic requires only basic knowledge of calculus and linear algebra - all other concepts and ideas are developed in the course of the book. Lucidly written so as to appeal to undergraduates and practitioners alike, it enables readers to set up simple mathematical models on their own and to interpret their results and those of others critically. To achieve this, many examples have been chosen from various fields, such as biology, ecology, economics, medicine, agricultural, chemical, electrical, mechanical and process engineering, which are subsequently discussed in detail.

Based on the author`s modeling and simulation experience in science and engineering and as a consultant, the book answers such basic questions as: What is a mathematical model? What types of models do exist? Which model is appropriate for a particular problem? What are simulation, parameter estimation, and validation?

The book relies exclusively upon open-source software which is available to everybody free of charge. The entire book software - including 3D CFD and structural mechanics simulation software - can be used based on a free CAELinux-Live-DVD that is available in the Internet (works on most machines and operating systems).

From the Contents:
- Principles of mathematical modeling
- Phenomenological and mechanistic models
- Differential equation models (ODE's and PDE's)
- Open-Source Software, e.g. for 3D CFD and structural mechanics
- Introduction into CAELinux, Calc, Code-Saturne, Maxima, R, Salome-Meca

Kai Velten is a professor of mathematics at the University of Applied Sciences, Wiesbaden, Germany, and a modeling and simulation consultant. Having studied mathematics, physics and economics at the Universities of Gottingen and Bonn, he worked at Braunschweig Technical University (Institute of Geoecology, 1990-93) and at Erlangen University (Institute of Applied Mathematics, 1994-95). From 1996-2000, he held a post as project manager and group leader at the Fraunhofer-ITWM in Kaiserslautern (consultant projects for the industry). His research emphasizes differential equation models and is documented in 34 scientific publications and one patent.

Review Quotes

"Very solid introductory text at the undergraduate level aimed at wide audience. Perfectly fits introductory modeling courses at colleges and universities that prefer to use open-source software rather than commercial one, and is an enjoyable reading in the first place. Highly recommended both as a main text and a supplementary one. (...) This delightful book has two unbeatable features that should absolutely win the audience (...) First of all, it illuminates many important conceptual ideas of mathematical modelling (...) Second, (...) this book enthusiastically promotes open-source software that works on most computers and operating systems and is freely available on the web. (...) Professor Velten suggests an elegant approach to mathematical modeling, carefully going through all important steps from identification of a problem, definition of the associated system under study and analysis of the system's properties to design of a mathematical model for the system, its numerical simulation and validation."
(Yuri V. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH, European Mathematical Society)

"The book is certainly a reference for those, beginners or professional, who search for a complete and easy to follow step-by-step guide in the amazing world of modeling and simulation (...) it is shown that mathematical models and simulation, if adequately used, help to reduce experimental costs by a better exploration of the information content of experimental data (...) it is explained how to analyze a real problem arising from science or engineering and how to best describe it through a mathematical model. A number of examples help the reader to follow step by step the basics of modelling."
(Marcello Vasta, Meccanica: International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Vol. 44(3), 2009)

"The broad subject area covered in this book reflects the background of the author, an experienced mathematical consultant and academic (...) This book differs from almost all other available modeling books in that the author addresses both mechanistic and statistical models as well as "hybrid" models. Since many problems coming out of industrial and medical applications in recent years require hybrid models, this text is timely. The modeling range is enormous (...) In this single chapter ("Phenomenological Models") he manages to cover almost all the material one would expect to find in an undergraduate statistics program. (...) Parameter sensitivity and overfitting problems are discussed in a very simple context - very nice! (...) The author points out that, by translating a real-world problem into a mathematical form, one brings to bear on that problem the vast knowledge and powerful and free software tools available within the "mathematical universe", and his aim is to enable the reader to source this information. (...) I believe the author has succeeded in providing access to the available tools and an understanding of how to go about using these tools to solve real-world problems."
Neville Fowkes (University of Western Australia) in: SIAM Rev. 53(2), 2011, pp. 387-388 (Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Philadelphia, USA)

About the Author

Kai Velten is a professor of mathematics at the University of Applied Sciences, Wiesbaden, Germany, and a modeling and simulation consultant. Having studied mathematics, physics and economics at the Universities of Gottingen and Bonn, he worked at Braunschweig Technical University (Institute of Geoecology, 1990-93) and at Erlangen University (Institute of Applied Mathematics, 1994-95). From 1996-2000, he held a post as project manager and group leader at the Fraunhofer-ITWM in Kaiserslautern (consultant projects for the industry). His research emphasizes differential equation models and is documented in 34 scientific publications and one patent.