Numerical Simulation, An Art of Prediction 1

Jean-François Sigrist is a doctor of engineering sciences who has worked for almost 20 years in the industry, leading a team of research engineers in numerical simulation. He is now an independent expert.

• Foreword viiPreface ixAcknowledgements xiiiChapter 1. The World in Equations 11.1. Numerical modeling 31.1.1. Modeling 31.1.2. Understanding, designing, forecasting, optimizing 41.2. Putting the world into equations: example of mechanics 51.2.1. Construction of classical mechanical models 51.2.2. Emergence of quantum mechanics 231.3. Solving an equation 341.3.1. Finding a mathematical formula 341.3.2. Calculating using a computer 38Chapter 2. Simulation Practice 492.1. Validating a simulation 502.1.1. Demonstrating a theorem 502.1.2. Confronting points of view… 512.1.3. Relying on experience 542.1.4. Changing point of view 572.2. Maturity of a technique 612.3. Practice, practice, practice... 632.3.1. The engineer’s palette 632.3.2. Complementary philosophies 682.3.3. Users with different needs 70Chapter 3. A Global Technique 773.1. A very generalized technique 783.2. A strategic technique 803.3. Hercules of the calculation 853.3.1. High-performance computing 853.3.2. Stroke to computing power 88Chapter 4. The Data World 1014.1. Big data 1024.2. Data and networks 1044.3. Learning from data 1154.4. Biological and digital brains 1214.4.1. Biological neurons 1234.4.2. Digital neural networks 1294.5. Are humans overwhelmed by machines? 1374.5.1. All-round machine victories 1374.5.2. A war of intelligence? 1394.5.3. Science fiction 1404.5.4. Science without fiction 1424.5.5. Complementarity of intelligence 1454.5.6. Complexity and robustness 1504.5.7. Imitation game 1514.5.8. Priority to the law! 1534.5.9. More human than human? 155Conclusion 159Glossary of Terms 171References 201Index 237