System Dynamics

Lecture-1

Introduction
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 Systems
Systems:
A group of objects joined
together in some regular
interaction or
interdependence towards the
accomplishment of some
purpose.

© Tallal Elshabrawy 3
 Systems
Systems Environment:
System Environment
A system is affected by o/p
changes that occur outside its i/p
boundaries. Such changes are
said to occur in the system
environment

The boundary between the

system and its environment
depend on the purpose of the
study Boundary

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 Types of Systems
Static System: If a system does not change with time, it is •

called a static system.

Dynamic System: If a system changes with time, it is called a •

dynamic system.

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 Dynamic Systems
A system is said to be dynamic if its current output may
depend on the past history as well as the present values of the
input variables. Mathematically,

y (t ) = [u ( ) , 0    t ]
u : Input , t : Time

Example: A moving mass

y
u
M
Model: Force=Mass x Acceleration

 = u
My
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 Ways to Study a System

System

Experiment with actual Experiment with a

System model of the System

Physical Model Mathematical Model

Analytical Solution

Simulation

Frequency Domain Time Domain Hybrid Domain

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 Model
• A model is a simplified representation or
abstraction of reality.
• Reality is generally too complex to copy
exactly.
• Much of the complexity is actually irrelevant
in problem solving.

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 Types of Models

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Model

Physical Mathematical Computer

Static Dynamic Static Dynamic Static Dynamic

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 Approaches to Studying Systems

System

Experiment Experiment
with the with a Model
Actual System of the System

Physical Mathematical
Model Model

Analytical
Simulation
Solution

Modeling & Simulation

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 What is Mathematical Model?
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A set of mathematical equations (e.g., differential eqs.)
that describes the input-output behavior of a system.

What is a model used for?

• Simulation
• Prediction/Forecasting
• Prognostics/Diagnostics
• Design/Performance Evaluation
• Control System Design
 Classification of Mathematical Models

• Linear vs. Non-linear

• Deterministic vs. Probabilistic (Stochastic)

• Static vs. Dynamic

• Discrete vs. Continuous

• Lumped vs. distributed

• White box, black box and gray box 25

• Static System: If a system does not change with time, it is called a
static system.

• Dynamic System: If a system changes with time, it is called a dynamic

system.
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 Black Box Model
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 When only input and output are known.
 Internal dynamics are either too complex or
unknown.

Input Output

 Easy to Model

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 Grey Box Model
 When input and output and some information about
the internal dynamics of the system is known.

u(t) y(t)
y[u(t), t]

 Easier than black box Modelling.

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 White Box Model
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 When input and output and internal dynamics of the
system is known.

dy(t ) du(t ) d 2 y(t )

u(t) =3 − y(t)
dt dt dt 2

 One should know have complete knowledge of the

system to derive a white box model.

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 Mathematical Modelling Basics
Mathematical model of a real world system is derived using
a combination of physical laws and/or experimental means

• Physical laws are used to determine the model

structure (linear or nonlinear) and order.
• The parameters of the model are often estimated
and/or validated experimentally.
• Mathematical model of a dynamic system can often
be expressed as a system of differential (difference in
the case of discrete-time systems) equations
 Approach to dynamic systems
• Define the system and its components.
• Formulate the mathematical model and list the
necessary assumptions.
• Write the differential equations describing the
model.
• Solve the equations for the desired output
variables.
• Examine the solutions and the assumptions.
• If necessary, reanalyze or redesign the system.
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 Simulation
• Computer simulation is the discipline of
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designing a model of an actual or theoretical
physical system, executing the model on a
digital computer, and analyzing the execution
output.
• Simulation embodies the principle of
``learning by doing'' --- to learn about the
system we must first build a model of some
sort and then operate the model.
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Modelling and Simulation Process
Project

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Description
Conceptual
Model
Simulation
Model
Simulation
Program
Model
Validation

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 Advantages to Simulation
❑ Can be used to study existing systems without
disrupting the ongoing operations.

❑ Proposed systems can be “tested” before committing

resources.

❑ Allows us to control time.

❑ Allows us to identify bottlenecks.

❑ Allows us to gain insight into which variables are

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 Disadvantages to Simulation
❑ Model building is an art as well as a science. The
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quality of the analysis depends on the quality of the
model and the skill of the modeler.

❑ Simulation results are sometimes hard to interpret.

❑ Simulation analysis can be time consuming and

expensive. Should not be used when an analytical
method would provide for quicker results.

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