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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO SIMULATION

Prof. Dr. Nezir AYDIN

Yıldız Technical University
Industrial Engineering

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What is a Simulation?
• A simulation: imitation of the operation of a real-world
process or a system over time:
• Involves generation of an artificial history of a system.
• Observes that history and draws inferences about system’s
characteristics.
• Can be used as:
• Analyzing tool for predicting the effect of changes to existing
systems.
• Design tool to predict performance of new systems.
• Many real-world systems are very complex that cannot be
solved mathematically.
• Hence, numerical, computer-based simulation can be used to
imitate the system behavior.

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When to use Simulation?
• Simulation can be used for the purposes of:
• Study and experiment with internal interactions of a complex
system.
• Observe the effect of system alterations on model behavior.
• Gain knowledge about the system through design of simulation
model.
• Use as a pedagogical device to reinforce analytic solution
methodologies, also to verify analytic solutions.
• Experiment with new designs or policies before implementation.
• Determine machine requirements through simulating different
capabilities.
• For training and learning.
• Show animation.
• Model complex systems.

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SYSTEM Remember:
System Analysis course

• A system is a whole which consists of a set of

elements whose elements work in an interactive
fashion towards one common goal or more
common goals (tasks).

• Examples ?

• Real world systems usually are complex!!!

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Why do we care about systems?
• To evaluate system performance
• To estimate system performance
• To improve processes
System
• To be prepared for errors

Experimentation on Experimentation on
Experimentation
physical model of the mathematical model
on real system
system of the system

Analytical solution SIMULATION

Remember:
Mathematics Simulation
Statistics
Operations Research 5
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Pros of Solution approaches Remember:
Modeling or
modeling in OR
• Try and error
• Experiments on real system.
• It is not efficient if you need several trials,
• Costs are high,
• What if environment changes dynamically.

• Simulation
• You need to make some assumptions.
• Solution is not optimal

• Optimization
• It finds an optimal solution:
• What if it is not deterministic and/or very complex to model.
• In that case you need to develop or use heuristics methods, but they do
not guarantee optimal solution.

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MODEL
• It is an imitation of the system.
• It should be detailed enough to get correct results to
imitate the true behaviour of the system.

Simplification
Model
Real System Condensation
Assumptions

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Mathematical Model
• It is the condansated and simplified representation of the
system:
• It includes multiple mathematical parameters and assumptions. All
parameters are known or assumed to a certain degree.

• If the model is basic or easy to handle with analytical

methods, linear programming, queuing theory, differential
equations or other techniques, then use them.
• If the model is complex than Simulation should be used.

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• Policy: Real System
• One queue
• Parallel servers
• FIFO.
• Input Parameters: • Output Parameters:
X Y
• Number of servers • Waiting time
Model
• Distribution of • Utilization of system
interarrival times capacity
• Distribution of
Service time Y=f(X)

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SIMULATION MODEL
• There is uncertainty and randomness:
• Lets consider a banking process.

Real System Queuing Model

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Areas of Application
• The applications of simulation are vast.
• The Winter Simulation Conference: an excellent way to
learn more about the latest in simulation applications and
theory.
• Some areas of applications:
• Manufacturing
• Construction engineering and project management.
• Military.
• Logistics, supply chain, and distribution.
• Transportation modes and traffic.
• Business process simulation.
• Healthcare.
• Computer and communication systems.

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Areas of Application
• Some general trends:
• Risk analysis, e.g. pricing, insurance.
• Call-center analysis.
• Large-scale systems, e.g., internet backbone, wireless networks.
• Automated material handling systems as test beds for the
development and functional testing of control-system software.
• Banks
• Airports

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Discrete and Continuous Systems
• Discrete system: in which state variable(s) change only at a
discrete set of points in time.
• e.g., the number of jobs in queue changes when a new job arrives or
when service is completed for another
• Continuous system: in which state variable(s) change
continuously over time.
• e.g., the head of water behind a dam.

Discrete System Continuous System

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Types of Models
• Two types of models: mathematical or physical.
• Mathematical model: uses symbolic notation and
mathematical equations to represent a system.
• Simulation is a type of mathematical model.
• Simulation models:
• Static or dynamic.
• Deterministic or stochastic.
• Discrete or continuous.
• Our focus: discrete, dynamic, and stochastic models.

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What this course covers

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What this course covers

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How are we going to do?
• Manuel ✓
• On spreadsheets of MS Excel and its addings ✓
• Other computer languages X
• C++, C#, JAVA, etc.. (ask your computer programming instructor)

• Simulation languages ?(if we have enough time)

• SIMAN, GPSS, SLAM etc..

• Simulation package programs ✓

• ARENA, ProModel, AutoMod, AnyLogic, etc.. ✓
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Steps in a Simulation Study
• Four phases:
• Problem formulation, and setting objective and overall design (step
1 to 2).
• Modeling building and data collection (step 3 to 7)
• Running of the model (step 8 to 10).
• Implementation (step 11 to 12).
• An iterative process.

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STEPS OF A SIMULATION (1/2)

See you at the next lecture ☺

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