HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

Title: Fourier series in Heat and its Application

A Research Proposal to be submitted to the department of Mathematics in Partial

Fulfilment for the Requirements of the Bsc Degree of Science in Mathematics.

By: Amano Hedato Kaweti . ID No K/0820/10

Advisor:Mr. Agegnehu Tesfaye

AUGUST, 2024

HARAMAYA, ETIOPHIA

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Table of Contents Page
Acknowledgement___________________________________________________________________
____I

Abstract
_________________________________________________________________________II

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION_____________________________________________________________________
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1.1 Back ground of the study_________________________________________________________1

1.2 Statement of the study __________________________________________________________2

1.3 Objective of the study____________________________________________________________2

13.1General
objective________________________________________________________________2

1.4. Significance of
theStudy____________________________________________________________3

[Link] of the study

_____________________________________________________________3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE
REVIEW____________________________________________________________________3

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY OF THE
STUDY______________________________________________________5

[Link] area and period____________________________________________________________5

[Link] design
_____________________________________________________________5
[Link] of
information___________________________________________________________5

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 [Link]
procedure________________________________________________________5

[Link] of data
analytic__________________________________________________________5

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE SCHEDULE AND BUDGET PLAN_________________________________________________6

[Link] schedule
_______________________________________________________________6

[Link] break -
down____________________________________________________________7

Reference ____________________________________________________________8

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The Fourier series is a mathematical tool used to analyse and solve problems involving
periodic functions. It's particularly useful in heat transfer problems and other applications in
physics and engineering. Here's an introduction to how the Fourier series applies to heat and
its applications:

In the four decades differential equation has established itself as a worthwhile mathematical
discipline and there are many applications of differential equation. It can be found in many

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areas in our daily life, such as in engineering, in medicine, in economics and in physics. It is
also used in human judgement, evaluation, reasoning and decision making.

Fourier’s Joseph born on 21 march 1768 in France. He was mathematician, physicist and
historian. And best known for initiating the investigation of Fourier series and their
applications to problems of heat transfer and vibrations. The Fourier transform and Fourier’s
law are also named in his honour. Fourier is also generally credited with discovery of the
greenhouse effect. Heat equation is using mostly in mechanical department oriented for
example energy. In this dissertation entitled, ‘Analysis of Fourier’s law and its application
to the heat equations’ here discussed about the what is relation between the Fourier’s law
and heat equation, and give some real-life applications.

1.2. Statements of the problem.

In this study we focused on establishing Fourier series in Heat and its Application

1.3. Objectives of the study

1.3.1 General objective

The main Objective of this thesis was to determine the temperature distribution in a given
domain over time using Fourier series methods.

1.3.2. Specific objectives

The specific objective of this study was:

 To define Fourier series

 To use in finding application of Fourier series in to Heat
 To use examples supported main result

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CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
The solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations play an important role in the study of
many physical phenomena. With the help of solutions, when they exist, the mechanism of
complicated physical phenomena and dynamical processes modelled by these nonlinear
partial differential equations can be better understood. They can also help to analyse the
stability of these solutions and to check numerical analysis for these nonlinear partial
differential equations. Large varieties of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena are
governed by nonlinear partial differential equations. One of the most exciting advances of
nonlinear science and theoretical physics has been the development of methods to look for
solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations.

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Reviewing the literature on Fourier series in heat transfer and its applications involves
examining various sources that discuss the theoretical foundations, methodologies, and
practical implementations of Fourier series in solving heat-related problems. Here’s an
overview of key topics and seminal works in this area:

Joseph Fourier (1822). "Théorie analytique de la chaleur" (The Analytical Theory of Heat).
This seminal work introduced Fourier series and demonstrated their application in solving the
heat equation, laying the groundwork for modern heat transfer analysis.

"Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers" by Stanley J. Farlow: Provides a
practical approach to partial differential equations, including the heat equation, with a focus
on Fourier series solutions.

"Advanced Engineering Mathematics" by Erwin Kreyszig: Covers a broad range of

mathematical techniques including Fourier series and their application to heat conduction
problems.

"Applied Partial Differential Equations" by Richard Haberman: Offers a comprehensive

treatment of partial differential equations, including the use of Fourier series for solving the
heat equation.

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study area and period

The study will be conducted at Haramaya University under the department of mathematics
from August, 2024 G.C.

3.2 Study Design

This study will employ analytical method of design.

3.3 Source of information

Secondary data such as reference books, research papers, journals and internet will be used as
source of information for the study.

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3.4 Mathematical Procedure of the Study
In order to achieve the stated objectives, the study follows the following procedures: -
1. Defining the problems related with Fourier series
2. Describing applications of Fourier series.
3. Validate of the applications giving examples.

CHAPTER FOUR: STUDY PLAN AND BUDGET

4.1 Time Plan

Time given below illustrates the activities beginning from the selection of title to presentation
of the thesis.

No Activities
October

1 Reading different literatures/books/ 

2 Tittle selection and reading relevant 

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3 Preparation of the proposal 

4 Submission of first draft of proposal 

5 Modifying the proposal based on the 

point of view

6 Submission of final proposal 

7 Proposal presentation 

8 Analysing and writing the whole 

research

9 Submission of the first draft of the 

research

10 Editing the draft of research paper 

11 Submission of the final draft of the 

research

12 Presentation of the research paper 

4.2 Budget Plan

The total budget for running this study will be analysed as follows

No Items/budget category Unit Quantity Unit price Total price

1 Transport cost Journey 2 30 60

2 Note book Number 1 50 50

3 Pen Number 6 10 60

4 1Rim 400 sheet S 250 250

Paper

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 Pages 30pages 2 120
5 Print of different journal
Printing project proposal Pages 10 2 40
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Photocopies of project proposal Pages 30(5copies) 150 300
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8 Photocopies of final thesis Pages 30(5copies) 150 300

9 Binding of project proposal and Number 5 150 750

final project

10 Grand total 1,300

Reference

1. Fourier, Joseph. Théorie analytique de la chaleur (The Analytical Theory of Heat). Paris:
Firmin Didot, 1822.

2. Kreyszig, Erwin. Advanced Engineering Mathematics. 10th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley,
2011.

3. Çengel, Yunus A. Heat Transfer: A Practical Approach. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Education, 2021.

4. Gillespie, David C. Heat Conduction. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997.

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5. Incropera, Frank P., and David P. DeWitt. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. 8th
ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2017.

6. Haberman, Richard. Applied Partial Differential Equations. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson, 2012.

7. Patankar, Suhas V. Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow. New York: McGraw-Hill,
1980.

8. Ferziger, J.H., and M. Peric. Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics. 4th ed. Berlin:
Springer, 2019.

9. Simmons, George F. Boundary Value Problems and Fourier Series. New York: McGraw-
Hill, 1963.

10. Holmes, J.A.T. Heat Transfer: Principles and Applications. London: Wiley, 1988.

11. Worek, W.M. Heat Transfer and Thermodynamic Properties of Fluids. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1985.

12. Ramm, A.G. A History of Heat Transfer: The Analytical Theory. New York: Springer,
2008.

13. Smit, C., and J.P. Schmid. "Application of Fourier Series to Heat Conduction in
Composite Materials." Journal of Heat Transfer 130, no. 12 (2008): 122301.

14. Kumar, P., and S. Dutta. "Fourier Series Solutions of Heat Conduction Problems with
Complex Boundary Conditions." Applied Mathematics and Computation 214, no. 1
(2009): 46-57.

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