Simulation and Modeling Tutorial I

What Does it Mean?

A simulation is a model that mimics the operation of an existing or

proposed system, providing evidence for decision-making by being able
to test different scenarios or process changes. This can be coupled with
virtual reality technologies for a more immersive experience.

Simulations can be used to tune up performance, optimise a process,

improve safety, testing theories, training staff and even for entertainment
in video games! Scientifically modelling systems allows a user to gain
an insight into the effects of different conditions and courses of action.

Simulation can also be used when the real system is inaccessible or too
dangerous to assess or when a system is still in the design or theory
stages.

Key to any simulation is the information that is used to build the

simulation model and protocols for the verification and validation of
models are still being researched and refined, particularly with regard to
computer simulation.

How Simulation Works

Simulation works through the use of intuitive simulation software to

create a visual mock-up of a process. This visual simulation should
include details of timings, rules, resources and constraints, to accurately
reflect the real-world process.

This can be applied to a range of scenarios, for example, you can model
a supermarket and the likely behaviours of customers as they move
around the shop as it becomes busier. This can inform decisions
including staffing requirements, shop floor layout, and supply chain
needs.
Another example would be a manufacturing environment where
different parts of the line can be simulated to assess how their processes
interact with those of others. This can provide an overview of how the
entire system will perform in order to devise innovative methods to
improve performance.

Advantages

There are a range of advantages to be gained through the use of

simulation, including:

1. Less Financial Risk

Simulation is less expensive than real life experimentation. The potential

costs of testing theories of real world systems can include those
associated with changing to an untested process, hiring staff or even
buying new equipment. Simulation allows you to test theories and avoid
costly mistakes in real life.

2. Exact Repeated Testing

A simulation allows you to test different theories and innovations time

after time against the exact same circumstances. This means you can
thoroughly test and compare different ideas without deviation.

3. Examine Long-Term Impacts

A simulation can be created to let you see into the future by accurately
modelling the impact of years of use in just a few seconds. This lets you
see both short and long-term impacts so you can confidently make
informed investment decisions now that can provide benefits years into
the future.

4. Gain Insights for Process Improvement

The benefits of simulation are not only realised at the end of a project.
Improvements can be integrated throughout an entire process by testing
different theories.

5. Assess Random Events

A simulation can also be used to assess random events such as an

unexpected staff absence or supply chain issues.

6. Test Non-Standard Distributions

A simulation can take account of changing and non-standard

distributions, rather than having to repeat only set parameters. For
example, when simulating a supermarket you can input different types of
customer who will move through the shop at different speeds. A young
businesswoman who is picking up a sandwich will move through the
shop differently from an old couple or a mother doing a weekly shop
with two children in tow. By taking such changing parameters into
account, a simulation can more accurately mimic the real world.

7. Encourages In-Depth Thinking

Even the process of designing a simulation and determining the different

parameters can offer solutions. By thinking in-depth about a process or
procedure it is possible to come up with solutions or innovations without
even using the final simulation.

8. Improve Stakeholder Buy-In

A visual simulation can also help improve buy-in from partners,

associates and stakeholders. You can visually demonstrate the results of
any process changes and how they were achieved, improving
engagement with interested parties or even enabling a simulation based
sales pitch.

Limitations
While there are a great many advantages to using simulation, there are
still some limitations when compared to other similar techniques and
technologies, such as digital twin.

A digital twin expands on simulation to incorporate real time feedback

and a flow of information between the virtual simulation and a real life
asset or assets. The difference being that while a simulation is
theoretical, a digital twin is actual.

Due to this, simulations have limitations when it comes to assessing

actual real-world situations as they occur.

Why is Simulation Used?

Simulation is used to evaluate the effect of process changes, new

procedures and capital investment in equipment. Engineers can use
simulation to assess the performance of an existing system or predict the
performance of a planned system, comparing alternative solutions and
designs.

Simulation is used as an alternative to testing theories and changes in the

real world, which can be costly. Simulation can measure factors
including system cycle times, throughput under different loads, resource
utilisation, bottlenecks and choke points, storage needs, staffing
requirements, effectiveness of scheduling and control systems.

What can be Simulated?

Any system or process that has a flow of events can be simulated. As a

general rule, if you can draw a flowchart of the process, you can
simulate it. However, simulation is most effective when applied to
processes or equipment that change over time, have variable factors or
random inputs. For example, our supermarket from earlier has variable
and random factors due to customer use times, requirements and stocks.

Using simulation to model complex and changeable dynamic systems

can offer insights that are difficult to gain using other methods.
While simulation can be used to manage processes, procedures and
assets, Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom took the notion of simulation
further in his 2003 paper, ‘Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?’
He argues that by adding artificial consciousness to simulations, you can
blur the lines between reality and simulation, making it difficult to tell if
you are living in reality or if you are living in a simulation. This
simulation hypothesis argues that, should you become aware that your
‘reality’ was not actually ‘real,’ your memories could be edited by the
simulation to once again make you blissfully unaware that you are not
actually a real person in the real world!

Moving away from the realms of post-human simulation, let’s return to

some ‘real world’ types of simulation…

Types of Simulation

Simulation can be broken down into three overarching types, as follows:

1. Discrete Event Simulation

Modelling a system as it progresses through time, for example;

 factory operations (stamping, turning, milling)

 traffic analysis (roads, networks, queues)

2. Dynamic Simulation

Modelling a system as it progresses through space, for example;

 machine kinematics
 human ergonomics
 aerodynamic testing
 virtual prototyping

3. Process Simulation
Modelling physical interactions between two or more systems, for
example;

 in-service product modelling

 in-manufacture product modelling
 weather forecasting

Examples

There are many examples of simulation across industry, entertainment,

education, and more. Here are a few notable examples:

Automotive

Simulation allows the characteristics of a real vehicle to be replicated in

a virtual environment, so that the driver feels as if they are sitting in a
real car. Different scenarios can be mimicked so that the driver has a
fully immersive experience. These type of simulators can help train both
new and experienced drivers, offering a route to teach driving skills that
can reduce maintenance and fuel costs and ensure the safety of the
drivers themselves.

Biomechanics

Simulation can be applied to biomechanics to create models of human or

animal anatomical structures in order to study their function and design
medical treatments and devices. Biomechanics simulation can also be
used to study sports performance, simulate surgical procedures, and
assess joint loads. An additional example is neuromechanical simulation
that unites neural network simulation with biomechanics to test
hypotheses in a virtual environment.

City and Urban Planning

Simulation can be used to design new cities and urban environments as

well as to test how existing urban areas can evolve as a result of policy
decisions. This includes city infrastructure and traffic flow among other
potential models.

Digital Lifecycle Design

Simulations can assist with product design, allowing digital prototyping

and testing to create better performing products with a shorter time-to-
market, while also assessing the lifecycle of the finished product.

Disaster Preparation

Simulations can replicate emergency situations, to help with disaster

preparedness.This includes training and designing responses to events
such as natural disasters, pandemics or terrorist attacks. Responses can
be tracked and assessed through the simulation, highlighting potential
problems and areas where more training may be required for responders,
as well as ensuring any mistakes are made in a safe environment ahead
of any real life event.

Economics and Finance

Economics, macroeconomics and finance also benefit from simulations.

A mathematical model of the economy can, for example, be tested using
historical data as a proxy for the actual economy. This can be used to
assess inflation, unemployment, balance of trade and budgets.
Elsewhere, simulations can replicate the stock exchange or be used to
test financial models. Banks also use simulations to replicate payment
and securities settlement systems.

Engineering Systems

Simulation is widely used for engineering systems to imitate operations

and functions of equipment, processes and procedures. Engineering
simulations can combine mathematical models and computer-assisted
simulation for design or improvement of existing processes.

Ergonomics
Simulation can be used to analyse virtual products and working
environments incorporating an anthropometric virtual representation of
the human, also known as a mannequin or Digital Human Model
(DHM). These DHMs can mimic the performance and capabilities of
humans in simulated environments. This type of simulation has
applications ranging from assembly lines to disaster management and
video gaming to waste collection.

Flight Simulation

Flight simulators have been used for years to train new pilots in a safe
environment. This not only allows pilots to be assessed safely, but can
also test instrument failures and other problems without risking the pilot,
the instructor or the aircraft. You can also easily repeat the exact same
scenarios, such as approaching a runway to land, under different
conditions, not to mention saving fuel and other costs compared to
actual flying time.

Marine Craft Simulation

Much like flight simulation, it is also possible to simulate working in a

ship or submarine. Simulators can include those that mimic the bridge,
engine rooms, cargo handling bays, communications or remotely
operated vehicles. These are used in training institutions, colleges and
navies.

Military Applications

Sometimes referred to as ‘war games,’ military simulations can be used

to test out military plans in a virtual environment using computer
models. These can also incorporate social and political factors and are
used by governments and military organisations around the world.

Network Systems

Simulations have been applied to network and distributed systems to test

new algorithms and protocols before they are implemented in live
systems. These can be applied to applications including content delivery
networks, smart cities and the Internet of Things.

Project Management

Simulation can be used for project management analysis and training

purposes. Whether training managers or analysing the outcomes of
different decisions, simulation is frequently conducted with software
tools.

Robotics

Robotics simulations are used to mimic situations that may not be

possible to recreate and test in real life due to time, cost or other factors.
The results of these tests can then be assessed and transferred to real life
robots.

Production Systems

Production systems can be simulated using methods such as discrete

event simulation to assess manufacturing processes, assembly times,
machine set-up, and more.

Sales

Sales can be simulated to examine the flow of transactions and customer

orders as well as costs, labour times and more.

Satellites and Space

The Kennedy Space Centre used simulation to train space shuttle

engineers for launch operations. This would see people interact with a
simulated shuttle and ground support equipment. Simulation is also used
for satellite navigation tests.

Sport
Statistics are widely used as part of sport simulation to predict the
outcome of events and the performance of individual sportspeople.
Sports simulation can also be used to predict the outcome of games and
events as well as for fantasy sports leagues. Biomechanics models can
also be used to assist training, assess fatigue levels and their effect on
performance and more.

Weather

Weather forecasting uses simulations based on past data to predict

extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes or cyclones.

Conclusion

Simulations are used for a range of applications across industry, saving

time and expense while being able to test theories and ideas before
implementing them in the real world