M ATLAB – What Is It ? Name is from matrix laboratory Powerful tool for – Computation and visualization of engineering and science mathematics – Communication of ideas – Programming: Built-in editor, debugger, and help Many predefined functions (grouped in toolboxes) Interpreted or compiled programs

M ATLAB – Where Is It ? MATLAB is available on all computers in the Engineering Computer Center and on many other computers located in departments within the College of Engineering (Computer Classroom 225 Wales). You can also purchase your own Student Version from MathWorks at:

How Do We Want To Use M ATLAB In Statics Course? Write a Simple MATLAB Program to Do the Following: - Calculate All Member Forces in Truss Problem - Plot Forces to Graphically Observe How Structure Behaves - Investigate Tension & Compression Force Restrictions

Creating Your Own Program Script (m-file) Concept M-file is a collection of MATLAB commands – Can be re-executed – Is easily changed/modified or ed to someone File format: Name.m Commands are executed one by one sequentially – File is executed by typing its name (without.m) – Results appear in the command window (or use ; ) Can be created using any text editor, but is most easily developed in MATLAB Editor Window

Boot Up Default MATLAB Window Help menu provides answers to most questions Opens Editor Window to create new program In this window: - type & edit commands - test & run program - save work when finished

Demo MATLAB Code Calculate & Plot Equation: y=2x+30x 2 -2x 3 Dot needed for element- by-element operation

Plotting Line Specifiers Line Specifiers Change the Look Especially Handy When Plotting Several Lines on Same Graph Use Help Menu to Find Out More

The Project Problem Labels & Titles 0  P 1  20kN P 2 = 8, 10, 12 kN Legend Use text to write to screen; text(x,y,’F_C_F’) P2P2 P1P1 Tension Compression Tension/Compression Criteria Calculate Values in Code Write Them on Figure

Good Luck!