ABSTRACT
There are a multitude of engineering problems that can be expressed in terms of
partial differential equations (PDEs) – that is, differential equations where partial
rather than full derivatives are employed. Some examples include:
• flow through porous media;
• flow under dams;
• heat conduction on plates and wires;
• stresses in underground excavations;
• waves on water (Figure 15.1), vibrating strings;
• ocean wave energy growth and dissipation;
• sediment transport in rivers and on the coast;
• global weather forecasting;
• dispersion, smoke stacks.
