Development of a Programme for Numerical Analysis of Horizontal Footpath Alignments by the Aid of Hand-held Computer

Abstract

This study intends to develop a method of numerically analysing footpath alignments by the aid of hand-held computer. For this purpose, several alternative methods of numerical computation, designed to solve a set of non-linear equations proposed as a model solution of horizontal footpath alignments, were programmed, and these programmes were further elaborated in order to reduce the computation time requirement. As is empirically known, the frequency of loop operation increases in geometric progression when the initial interval is made smaller. Hence, in order to reduce the computation time requirement (i. e., to enlarge the interval), an algorithm was invented that allows detailed examination on a partial basis in accordance with the behavior of the function. The accuracy of the hand-held computer operation was verified by way of comparing it with the double precision analytical result derived from the operation of a large-capacity computer.