Mathcad Enabling of Engineeringe-Content on Knovel

ASEE 2009 Annual Conference

Austin, TX

Sasha Gurke (sgurke@knovel.com)SVP & Co-Founder, Knovel Corp.

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What is Knovel Math?

For Mathcad users, Knovel Math provides fully documented Mathcad worksheets for engineering calculations from trusted reference works, reducing the time it takes to find, solve and document equations.

Introductory Package:

– Roark’s Formulas for Stress and Strain (7th Edition)• 79 examples → 157 Mathcad files

→ ~896 Mathcad pages

– Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations (Hicks)• 419 examples → 736 Mathcad

files → ~4282 Mathcad pagesRELEASED June 8

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Knovel Math Features

Feature Value

Fully documented and validated Mathcad worksheets

Don’t need to spend hours creating the sheet

Don’t need to spend time validating transcription

Web-based Immediate access wherever you are

Access to current editions of trusted engineering reference books

Results can be used for critical work with confidence

Powerful search tools Find the formulas you need quickly

Includes complete text of reference books Understand how to select correctly equation

Understand proper application (less experienced engineers)

Download formulas, enter own values and solve using Mathcad

Get immediate and reliable results

Simplifies use of Mathcad (learning curve)

Examples and cases expanded to show full working

Reduces level of math skill required

Support for US customary and metric units Globally usable

Store worksheet and results Audit trail for checking and future reference

Designed to work with future Mathcad releases Take advantage of new Mathcad features in future releases

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Mathcad-Enabled Roark’s

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Mathcad Worksheet

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In the Works

• Civil/Structural Engineering Package:

– Roark’s Formulas for Stress and Strain (7th Edition)• Examples PLUS 1504 Table cases → 3008 Mathcad files → ~17,000

Mathcad pages

– Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations (2nd Edition)• 25% New and updated content

– Foundation Engineering Handbook - Design and Construction with the 2006 International Building Code• 63 Examples → 126 Mathcad files → ~730 Mathcad pages

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Addressing Quality of Mathcad Worksheets

• Documentation

– Specification

– Templates

– Samples

– Best practices

– Workflow

• QC Procedures

• Training

• Inherent Soundness of Algorithms

• Verification of Calculations

• Comparing Numeric Solutions

• Multiple Algorithms

• Validation using 3rd Party Software (FEA)

• Customizing Validation

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Example: Correction of Source Errors

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Challenges and Lessons Learned

• Principle challenges encountered during the development of Knovel Math:

– selection of appropriate content

– finding engineers with adequate skill set

– ensuring high quality

• Although foolproof QC does not exist, we are confident that our process resulted in quality product.

• Users play a very important role in testing and improving the quality of the products.