Course Description

The goal of this class is to introduce students to the theory and application of modeling techniques and simulations in the analysis of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) problems. The objective of this course is three fold:

• Study existing modeling and simulation theory typically applied to engineering domains
• Survey and classify significant modeling and simulation applications and conceptually connect them with simulation theory.
• Formally conceptualize an appropriate research/engineering problem of choice (this could be a dissertation/thesis problem) individually or in groups, applying the modeling and simulation theory and applications.

The class will require graduate standing and an open mind. Computer programming experience will be useful, but not necessary. The focus of the class will be to teach students how to model systems, design simulations, and apply them to answer engineering questions effectively. The first part of the class will cover the following theory:

• Different kinds of systems, models, and simulations.
• Queing Theory
• Event Graphs
• Discrete Event Simulations
• Modeling complex systems: System Dynamics approaches
• Verification and Validation of models and simulations
• Analyzing risk and uncertainty using simulations

The second part of the class will study applications of some of the above techniques to representative work. Some example systems that will be studied are (but not limited to):

• Discrete Event Simulations: CYCLONE/STROBOSCOPE (Family of construction management simulations), CALSIM (Water resource simulation model)
• Monte Carlo Simulations: RiskAmp Analysis, Applications in structural reliability

The final part of the class will require students to model their problem of choice.
The class meets thrice every week:
Lectures: MWF 10:05a.m. - 10:55a.m.
Location: Dillman 202
Office hours: Open door policy!