Simulation
Simulation
Imitation
An attempt to duplicate the
features, appearance, and
characteristics of a real system
1. To imitate a real-world situation
mathematically
2. To study its properties and operating
characteristics
3. To draw conclusions and make action
decisions based on the results of the
simulation
Simulation-New Definition
• A simulation is a computer-based
model used to run experiments on a
real system
– Typically done on a computer
– Determines reactions to different operating
rules or change in structure
– A given system is copied and the variables
and constants associated with it are
manipulated in that artificial environment to
examine the behaviour of the system
Simulation Example
• Aerodynamic Simulation-
– to study aerodynamic properties of
aeroplane
• Driving Simulation-
– To have the feeling of vehicle driving
• Computer Program Simulation-
– for layout, financial and market analysis
model
Computer Analysis
Simulation Applications
Ambulance location and dispatching Bus scheduling
Assembly-line balancing Design of library operations
Parking lot and harbor design Taxi, truck, and railroad dispatching
Distribution system design Production facility scheduling
Scheduling aircraft Plant layout
Labor-hiring decisions Capital investments
Personnel scheduling Production scheduling
Traffic-light timing Sales forecasting
Voting pattern prediction Inventory planning and control
Table F.1
Other Simulation Egs.
• Simulation in education and training
– war games
– animated narrative vignettes (ANV). ANVs are cartoon-
like video narratives of hypothetical and reality-based
stories involving classroom teaching and learning.
ANVs have been used to assess knowledge, problem
solving skills and dispositions of children, and pre-
service and in-service teachers.
– case study
• Truck Simulator
• Healthcare (Clinical) Simulators
• Interactive models
Other Simulation Egs.
• Computer simulators
• The "classroom simulators"
• Financial Planning and Analysis
• City Simulators / Urban Simulation
• Flight simulators
• Marine simulators
• Engineering (Technology) simulation or
Process simulation
Define problem
The
Process of Introduce variables
Specify values
of variables
Conduct simulation
Examine results
Table F.8
Simulation Example 1
Day Random Simulated
Number Number Daily Demand
1 52 5 3
Expected
2 =37 ∑ 3
(probability of i units) x
3demand 82i =1 4
(demand of i units)
4 69 4
5 =98 (.05)(0) + 5(.10)(1) + (.20)(2)
6 96 + (.30)(3)5+ (.20)(4) +
7 33 (.15)(5) 2
8 50 3
= 0 + .1 + .4 + .9 + .8 + .75
9 88 5
10 =90 2.95 tires5
39 Total
3.9 Average
Using Software in Simulation
Computers are critical in simulating
complex tasks
General-purpose languages - BASIC, C++
Special-purpose simulation languages -
GPSS, SIMSCRIPT
1. Require less programming time for large
simulations
2. Usually more efficient and easier to check
for errors
3. Random-number generators are built in
Using Software in Simulation
Commercial simulation programs are
available for many applications - Extend,
Modsim, Witness, MAP/1, Enterprise
Dynamics, Simfactory, ProModel, Micro
Saint, ARENA
Spreadsheets such as Excel can be used
to develop some simulations
Using Software in Simulation