2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate major in Civil Engineering
Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering I
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Civil Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Taizo Maruyama / Elwin Vantwout
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue (W5-107)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CVE.N531
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Sep 14, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
＜Computational Acoustics＞
This course begins with the fundamental theories of acoustics and focuses on numerical methods, which have practical applications in civil engineering, such as addressing noise-related issues. The course covers the finite difference method, the finite volume method, and the boundary element method. It is important to accelerate the boundary element method for full-scale numerical analysis in open domains. The course also covers the H-matrix method, which is one of the representative acceleration techniques for the boundary element method.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain fundamental theories regarding acoustic problems, such as partial differential equations and basic boundary conditions.
2. Perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the finite difference method.
3. Perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the finite volume method.
4. Perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the boundary element method.
5. Implement acceleration techniques for the boundary element method using the H-matrix method.
Keywords
acoustics, wave propagation, wave scattering, numerical simulation, integral equation, fast computation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course will be mainly provided in lecture style. At the end of the lecture, a report assignment will be given to check students' understanding.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Fundamentals of acoustics |
Become able to explain the fundamental theories regarding acoustic problems, such as partial differential equations and basic boundary conditions. |
| Class 2 | Finite difference method |
Become able to perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the finite difference method. |
| Class 3 | Finite volume method |
Become able to perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the finite volume method. |
| Class 4 | Boundary element method 1 |
Become able to derive the boundary integral equations for the wave equation and explain the properties of them. |
| Class 5 | Boundary element method 2 |
Become able to understand the discretization of boundary integral equations and treatment of singular integrals and to perform numerical simulation for the wave equation using the boundary element method. |
| Class 6 | Acceleration of boundary element method using H-matrix method 1 |
Become able to understand the concept of acceleration of boundary element method and explain it. |
| Class 7 | Acceleration of boundary element method using H-matrix method 2 |
Become able to implement acceleration techniques for the boundary element method using the H-matrix method. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterward (including assignments) for each class. They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Lecture materials will be uploaded on LMS appropriately.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assignment 100%
Related courses
- CVE.A210 ： Structural Dynamics in Civil Engineering
- CVE.M301 ： Computers and Fundamental Programming
- CVE.M302 ： Computers and Applied Programming
- CVE.M401 ： Civil Engineering Analysis
Prerequisites
None required.
Other
Students must have successfully completed Computers and Fundamental Programming (CVE.M301) and Computers and Applied Programming (CVE.M302) or have equivalent knowledge because assignments of programming are imposed.