R. Bradley - Böcker

Proceedings of a Seminar in the CEC Agricultural Research Programme, held in Brussels, November 12-14, 1990

In recent years, mathematical modelling allied to computer simulation has emerged as en effective and invaluable design tool for industry and a discipline in its own right. This has been reflected in the popularity of the growing number of courses and conferences devoted to the area. The North East Polytechnics Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation Group has a balanced representation of academics and industrialists and, as a Group, has the objective of promoting a continuing partnership between the Polytechnics in the North East and local industry. Prior to the present conference the Group has organised eight conferences with a variety of themes related to mathematical modelling and computer simulation. The theme chosen for the Polymodel 9 Conference held in Newcastle upon Tyne in May 1986 was Industrial Vibration Modelling, which is particularly approp riate for 'Industry Year' and is an area which continues to present industry and academics with new and challenging problems. The aim of the Conference was to calIon and use the modelling experience of eminent academics and industrialists who are deeply involved in the solution of vibration problems. To this end the following four sessions were organised: (1) Vehicular Vibrations led by keynote speaker Dr S King (Westland Helicopters Ltd) (2) Acoustics led by Dr M Petyt (Southampton University) (3) Fluid/Structural Vibrations led by G T Willshare (British Maritime Technology) (4) Special Problems and Developing Areas to include nonlinearities, ultrasonics, transients, elastic stability, etc.

During the past few years the rapid development of computer tech­ nology has made high power computing facilities more readily accessible to a greater proportion of our industrial and academic community. This development coupled with the recent upsurge in mathematical modelling and computer simulation has led to signif­ icant developments in electromagnetic field theory and its applic­ ations to industry. In view of such developments and the present high interest to both academics and industry the theme chosen for the Polymodel 6 Conference held at Newcastle upon Tyne in May 1983 was Industrial Electromagnetics Modelling. To date the North East Polytechnics Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation Group has organised five successful Polymodel. conferences each with a different theme. The objectives of the Polymodel group include the promotion of collaborative research between Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside Polytechnics and industry in the areas of mathematical modelling and computer simulation. The aim of the Polymodel 6 Conference was to call on and use the modelling and computer.simulation expertise of eminent academics and industrialists who are deeply involved in the area of electro­ magnetics. These proceedings have a twofold purpose in that they contain current analytical and numerical techniques relevant to electromagnetic field problems and useful ideas on the modelling and simulation techniques which are most appropriate. It was also felt important to include implications. of. computer developments (both hardware and software) on such work.