Combined Simulation Modeling Using Simplified Discrete Event Simulation Approach – A Mining Case Study
Ming Lu, Sze Chun Lau and Kit-Yu, Evan Chan
Summer Computer Simulation Conference 2007 (SCSC 2007)
San Diego, California (USA), July 15-18, 2007
Abstract
Functionalities for combined modeling (discrete plus continuous) have been widely embedded in sophisticated simulation tools to enable the representation of complicated construction operations systems in the real world. Yet, application costs for combined modeling in terms of learning and modeling efforts generally remains on the high order, thus making advanced combined modeling features in established simulation methodologies largely underutilized by or inaccessible to modelers who are domain experts instead of simulation specialists. In this research, we propose a simplified approach to “discretize” the continuous elements in combined modeling by using a batch-based modeling strategy with insignificant loss of accuracy. Each batch denotes the amount of material handled by a resource unit in the discrete system and further processed by a plant with continuous characteristics. A practical mining case study is presented to illustrate and verify our approach. The simulation model assisted the mining company in configuring the processes and resources in the mining operations system and optimizing resource allocation and utilization.