Modelling
Models provide us with a means of experimenting. All engineering design uses
modelling:
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Architectural designers develop drawings of different aspects of their
structures to evaluate how they will be appreciated. They have to ensure that
the buildings they are designing will work. The buildings should have services
in the right places, they should be visually attractive and should fit within
their environments. The models created communicate the architects' thoughts
with clients, builders and a wider public.
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Civil engineers may need to create models of structures that are drawn to
indicate their basic layout. Their modelling may have to go much further: the
models may be analysed for characteristics such as loading at various points to
ensure that the structure is able to withstand the stresses to which it will be
subjected. These models may be essentially mathematical.
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An electronics engineer will design and plan the architecture and
implementation of the system through a number of circuit diagrams. The
developed circuit diagrams can be validated using tools that ensure that the
electrical rules defined for each component are not violated and that the
components used will work together adequately in a variety of simulations.
Modelling of software systems is relatively new. Our paper on
Software Modelling, which considers this topic in more detail is
available on request.