Know and understand computer modelling including personal finance, bridge and building design, flood water management, traffic management, weather forecasting

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 8 days ago

ICT 0417 – Computer Modelling Applications

6 ICT Applications – Computer Modelling

Computer modelling uses software to create a virtual representation of a real‑world system.

By changing variables in the model, learners can predict outcomes, test designs and make informed decisions.

Learning Objective

Know and understand computer modelling in the following contexts:

  • Personal finance

  • Bridge and building design

  • Flood water management

  • Traffic management

  • Weather forecasting

Summary Table of Applications

ApplicationPurpose of ModellingKey \cdot ariables / Outputs
Personal financeProject future savings, loan repayments and investment growth.Interest rate, period, principal, monthly contribution; outputs: balance, interest earned.
Bridge & building designTest structural integrity, material strength and load distribution.Load, span, material properties, safety factor; outputs: stress, deflection, factor of safety.
Flood water managementSimulate water flow, storage capacity and overflow risk.Rainfall intensity, catchment area, channel slope, storage volume; outputs: water level, discharge rate.
Traffic managementAnalyse vehicle movement, congestion and travel times.Traffic volume, road capacity, signal timing; outputs: queue length, average speed, delay.
Weather forecastingPredict atmospheric conditions using numerical models.Temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed; outputs: forecast maps, probability of precipitation.

1. Personal Finance Modelling

Typical software: spreadsheet programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).

Key formula for compound interest:

\$A = P\left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}\$

where:

  • \$A\$ = future amount

  • \$P\$ = initial principal

  • \$r\$ = annual interest rate (decimal)

  • \$n\$ = number of compounding periods per year

  • \$t\$ = number of years

Suggested diagram: Flowchart of a personal finance spreadsheet showing inputs, calculations, and output summary.

2. Bridge and Building Design

Modelling software includes CAD and finite‑element analysis (FEA) tools.

Stress in a simple beam under a uniform load can be estimated by:

\$\sigma = \frac{M}{S}\$

where:

  • \$\sigma\$ = bending stress

  • \$M\$ = bending moment

  • \$S\$ = section modulus of the beam

Design checks often use a factor of safety (FoS):

\$\text{FoS} = \frac{\text{Material strength}}{\text{Maximum calculated stress}}\$

Suggested diagram: Cross‑section of a bridge girder showing forces, moments and section modulus.

3. Flood Water Management

Hydraulic modelling tools simulate how water moves through catchments and channels.

The Manning equation is frequently used to estimate flow velocity (\$V\$):

\$V = \frac{1}{n} R^{2/3} S^{1/2}\$

where:

  • \$n\$ = Manning roughness coefficient

  • \$R\$ = hydraulic radius (area/wetted perimeter)

  • \$S\$ = channel slope

Discharge (\$Q\$) is then:

\$Q = A \times V\$

Suggested diagram: Schematic of a river catchment with inflow, storage reservoir and outflow points.

4. Traffic Management

Simulation software (e.g., VISSIM, Aimsun) models vehicle interactions.

Fundamental relationship between flow (\$q\$), density (\$k\$) and speed (\$v\$):

\$q = k \times v\$

Typical outputs include:

  • Average travel time

  • Queue length at intersections

  • Level of Service (LOS) rating

Suggested diagram: Intersection layout with traffic signal phases and vehicle queues.

5. Weather Forecasting

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models solve fluid‑dynamics equations on a grid.

One core equation is the continuity equation for mass:

\$\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{u}) = 0\$

where:

  • \$\rho\$ = air density

  • \$\mathbf{u}\$ = wind velocity vector

    • \$t\$ = time

Outputs are presented as forecast maps of temperature, precipitation probability, and wind speed.

Suggested diagram: Example of a weather model grid overlaying a regional map.

Integrating Modelling into ICT Projects

  1. Define the real‑world problem and the goal of the model.

  2. Select appropriate software and gather reliable data.

  3. Identify key variables and set realistic ranges.

  4. Build the model, run simulations, and record results.

  5. Analyse outputs, draw conclusions and suggest improvements.

  6. Communicate findings using tables, graphs and written reports.

Assessment Tips

  • Explain why the chosen variables are important for the specific application.

  • Show calculations using the correct formulas (include units).

  • Interpret model results – what do they tell you about the real situation?

  • Discuss limitations of the model and possible sources of error.