SIMULATION: Transactions of The Society for Modeling and Simulation International

Huang, Yilin; Seck, Mamadou D; Verbraeck, Alexander

doi: 10.1177/0037549715614652pmid: N/A

Rail modeling and simulation is an effective decision support instrument for planning and designing complex rail infrastructures and operations. To successfully support these activities at a large scale, the simulation model should be sufficiently detailed and yet be computationally efficient. This poses a set of challenges pertaining to the design of the models. In this paper, we propose a component-based light-rail modeling and simulation library in the discrete event system specification (DEVS) formalism. The proposed library is described in detail and is shown to be efficient and scalable. We conclude the paper by offering a set of good design principles derived from this experience, which are also relevant to other types of large-scale infrastructure system simulation model design.

Durak, Umut

doi: 10.1177/0037549715615432pmid: N/A

With the rapid improvement of hardware, the constant evaluation of simulation development methodologies and environments has brought us a new challenge: simulations modernization. This paper presents a simulation knowledge discovery metamodel that extends the Object Management Group’s knowledge discovery metamodel by adding a simulation model package for enabling architecture-driven simulation modernization. While there are some endeavors that propose integration methods, modernization of legacy simulations has not been investigated. Architecture-driven modernization has been introduced as a process of comprehending and transforming existing software assets. It advocates a model-based approach to software modernization in which the knowledge extracted from software assets is captured in models that conform to a metamodel, namely the knowledge discovery metamodel. It specifies an ontology of software assets. Model transformations are then recommended as means of modernization of legacy assets. But diversity in methodologies and approaches to specify simulation modeling assets prohibits the Knowledge Discovery Metamodel from providing adequate meta definitions to capture knowledge in simulations. System Entity Structure has long been used for knowledge representation by the simulation community. It provides formalism for composition, taxonomy and coupling relations. Hence, System Entity Structure is proposed as an intermediate metamodel to capture the meta-constructs and their relations. It is then made available to define particular metamodels for particular simulation modeling methodologies or approaches. The promoted methodology is exercised with samples in order to collect evidence of its applicability. Metamodel segments are presented for knowledge discovery for discrete event systems specification and Modelica simulation programming language. A complete metamodel is then introduced for the real-time distributed simulation domain model of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Flight Systems. Finally, this metamodel is used to introduce discovery artifacts. These samples provide valuable indications that the methodology works.

Korayem, M H; Taheri, M; Ghasemi, M; Badkoobehhezavh, H

doi: 10.1177/0037549715615216pmid: N/A

Due to the substantial complexities of atomic force microscope (AFM)-based dynamic manipulation models, these models require the identification of many parameters and inputs with varying levels of sensitivity. Various sensitivity analysis (SA) methods can be used to achieve such a goal. The Sobol method is one of the famous SA approaches based on variance, which is widely used today in various study and scientific fields. The dynamic models for the manipulation of micro/nanoparticles, which have been investigated in previous works by means of the SA methods, have involved spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces. Since different micro/nanoparticles have a variety of geometries and since surface roughness plays a significant role in the contact of these particles with different surfaces, in this paper, the sensitivity of the AFM-based dynamic manipulation model of rough micro/nanorods has been analyzed. By considering more diverse geometrical conditions for the target micro/nanoparticle, including a cylindrical geometry and rough surfaces, many geometrical parameters enter the model. Therefore, in this study, simulations have been performed by the Sobol SA approach in order to determine the sensitivity of the input manipulation parameters to the critical output values of manipulation, for the two groups of AFM and environmental parameters. Based on the results obtained from these simulations, cantilever thickness constitutes the most sensitive parameter in the manipulation of rough cylindrical micro/nanoparticles. By analyzing the sensitivities of environmental parameters, it was found that the parameter of surface roughness in the range of 0–0.04 is highly sensitive for rough cylindrical micro/nanoparticles.

Sitharthan, R; Geethanjali, M

doi: 10.1177/0037549715615428pmid: N/A

The enormous demand for electricity is partially satisfied by the increased penetration of wind power generation resources. This necessitates a wind energy conversion system (WECS) to remain connected to the grid in order to maintain power system stability during grid faults. This paper proposes a superconducting fault current limiter control strategy to improve the fault ride-through (FRT) capability of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WECS during grid faults. The outstanding aspect of the proposed technique is that it reduces the fault current level at the stator side and suppresses the rotor inrush current during incidents of grid faults. Consequently, the oscillation in the DC-link voltage and the electromagnetic torque of the WECS are reduced to a minimum permissible limit. Therefore, the proposed strategy improves the FRT capability of the WECS. Thus, the WECS remains connected to the grid and contributes necessary power system stability during and after the grid faults. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is studied through a time domain simulation carried out in a MATLAB/Simulink environment.

Unay-Gailhard, İlkay; Baqueiro-Espinosa, Omar

doi: 10.1177/0037549715615680pmid: N/A

Adapting microsimulation models to specific regions is a challenging task. This is especially true when aiming to simulate very low regional levels, such as municipalities, owing to anonymity restrictions or simply nonexistence of data at the required levels. In this study, we present a process to define the dynamics of the PRototypical policy Impact on Multifunctional Activities in rural municipalities (PRIMA) conceptual microsimulation model for the Hohenberg–Krusemark municipality network in the Altmark region of Germany. A parameterization process and the prototypical simulation results of the model are given along with a discussion on the validation of the simulation results by local level stakeholders. The presented technical aspects of the model provide the evolution of the demographic structure and the employment status for individuals living in a set of interconnected municipalities in rural areas. Additional insight was gained by comparing the demographic and employment properties of the simulation results with real data. The comparison allows for the observation of how correctly the model replicates past trends in the municipality network. The model’s assumptions are based on the results of a probability table created for the years 2000–2009, and the simulation results are presented for the years 2000–2020.

doi: 10.1177/0037549715622400pmid: N/A