Engineering Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Chapter 4Engineering Solutions

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter Objectives•Recognize the importance of engineering

problem analysis

•Recall and explain the engineering method

•Apply general guidelines for problem-solving presentation and solution documentation

•Develop an ability to solve and present simple or complex problems in an orderly, logical, and systematic way

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Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem Solving1. The professional engineer is expected to:

• Approach• Analyze and • Solve

a range of technical problems.

2. The problems can be: Single-solution, reasonably simple problems or Extremely complex, open-ended problems

3. Problem solving is a combination of experience,

knowledge, process, and art.3

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem AnalysisQuestions to consider when solving problems:

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• How important is the answer?

• What degree of accuracy is needed?

• How much time and what resources are available?

• What theory do you intend to use?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem AnalysisMore questions to consider when solving problems:

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• Is the theory state of the art?

• Is the theory valid for this application?

• Do you currently understand the theory, or must you review and learn it?

• Can you simplify without sacrificing needed accuracy?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem Solving•In an actual situation, answers may depend

on−Amount of data available−Amount of data that must be collected−Sophistication of equipment −Accuracy of the data−Number of people assisting−Many other factors.

•Complex problems require computer support

−Spreadsheet−Math analysis program. 6

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Engineering Method

1. Recognize and understand the problem

2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy

3. Select the appropriate theory or principle

4. Make necessary assumptions

5. Solve the problem

6. Verify and check results

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Steps in the Engineering Method

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problem Presentation

1. Problem statement

2. Diagram

3. Theory

4. Assumptions

5. Solution steps

6. Identify results and verify accuracy

7. Discussion/Conclusion

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Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Common Problem Layout

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Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

More Than One Page

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Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Freehand Guidelines• Use engineering problem

solving paper• Complete top headings• Use an appropriate lead

hardness• Use either vertical or slant

letters (not mixed)• Spell words correctly• Make your work easy to

follow• Separate problem sets clearly• Make diagram clear and

understandable• Use proper symbols of units

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Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e Eide Jenison Northup MickelsonCopyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conclusions• The layout of a problem

solution follows the steps of the engineering method.

• Present the solution method and the final solution so that any reader can readily understand all the aspects.

• For formal reports, proposals, or presentations, a computer-generated presentation is the correct approach.

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