Simulation
Objectives
The course aims to provide students with knowledge on methodologies, models and techniques for discrete simulation. As a means to assist students in systems modeling and its simulation it is used the Arena software. This course therefore has a strong practical component of formulation, modeling and solving problems in the laboratory, being used computers. The adequate modeling of a system allows to make the simulation of its operation, in a virtual environment, and to evaluate their performance considering different scenarios and different management policies.
It is intended that at the end of the course students have acquired the skills to simulate part of an operations management system by building a mathematical model that comes as close as possible to representing the reality of the system. Additionally it is intended to develop skills that allow them to select the methodologies and techniques appropriate to the particular system both with respect to the modeling and the analysis of the results of the simulation.
It is intended also that students are able to develop a critical sense regarding the system performance obtained from the simulation results analysis.
General characterization
Code
2309
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Ana Paula Ferreira Barroso, António Carlos Bárbara Grilo
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 61
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
Law A.M. e Kelton W.D. (2007) Simulation Modeling and Analysis, McGraw-Hill International Edition, New York.
Kelton W.D., Sadowski R.P. e Zupick N.B. (2015) Simulation with ARENA (6ª ed.), McGraw-Hill International Edition, New York.
Banks J. (1998) Handbook of Simulation, John Wiley & Sons, Atlanta.
Banks J. (2001) Discrete-Event System Simulation (3ª ed.), Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
Chung C.A. (2004) Simulation Modeling Handbook. A Practical Approach, CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Pidd M. (1994) Computer Simulation in Management Science, John Wiley & Sons, Singapore.
Teaching method
The curricular unit is taught in lectures and labs.
In lectures, with a charge of 2 hours a week, key concepts, methodologies, and models prepared in advance by students are discussed based on examples and case studies. Oral questions are frequently made for prerequisite control, knowledge assessment and stimulate students’ participation.
In labs, with a charge of 2 hours a week, the experimental method is adopted. Exercises are solved allowing students to both gain a deeper understanding of the topics and develop reasoning skills. Students are challenged with multifaceted problems which should be solved in team. The way of solving problems is analyzed and discussed in class.
Classes are prepared by students based on book chapters and scientific articles, as well as group or individual solving of exercises. Active methods are used. Some attention is given to the oral presentation and written projects.
Evaluation method
The assessment will be carried out remotely. It includes 3 components with the respective weighting in the final grade:
a) Theoretical-Practical Assessment (50%) - Individual
2 tests (T1 and T2). The average of the 2 tests must have a minimum score of 9.5 (out of 20) for approval in UC
b) Laboratory or Project Assessment (35%) - In group
9 practical assignments carried out in groups (Trbs) during laboratory classes (15%)
1 group project (Proj) (20%)
c) Summative Assessment (15%) - Individual
5 quizzes throughout the semester (mT)
Final grade = 0.15 mT + 0.25 T1 + 0.25 T2 + 0.15 Trbs + 0.20 Proj
The score for each component of the assessment will be rounded to two decimal places.
T1: XXXXX ; T2: XX XXXX
Students are excluded from the final exam if they fail the quizzes.
The final grade must be at least 9.50 (out of 20). If it is less than 9.50 values, the student will have to take the final exam (Exame de Recurso), which replaces only T1 and T2.
The student must make the Grade Defense if the final grade is higher than 17 values. The Grade Defense is carried out through an Oral Exam to be scheduled with the student between 3 and 7 days after the final grade is released.
Subject matter
- Introduction and fundamental simulation concepts. Simulation model components.
- Methodology of a simulation study. Formulation of the problem. Simulation model. Verification and validation of models. Experimentation and analysis. Randomness and replication of the output of simulation system.
- Introduction to Arena Software. Modeling operations, systems, transporters and conveyor belts.
- Statistical issues of the input of model. Fitting input distributions from collected data. Non-stationary arrival processes.
- Statistical analysis of output from Terminating simulations. Comparative analysis of scenarios / alternatives. Statistical comparison of two scenarios. Definition of confidence intervals. Statistical analysis of output from Steady-State simulations. Warm-up period. Truncated replications.
- Random-number generation, random variables generation and variance reduction.