Effective and efficient simulation-based design is facilitated by models of appropriate complexity. A single model will not have the most appropriate level of complexity throughout all phases of a simulation maneuver if inputs or parameters vary. Ideally, a model for which complexity can be varied as necessary will achieve the best possible trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. A method is presented for switching system model elements on and off as their importance changes, and predicting the response of the resulting variable-complexity model. A modified transformer element removes the dynamic output of a model element to the rest of the system when the moving average of its absolute power falls below a user-defined threshold. When the element is “off,” the input from the system to the element is still passed through the transformer so that an estimate of element power and importance can continue to be calculated and the element switched back “on” if necessary. The bond graph formalism is used to facilitate implementation. Switch configurations are defined for both causally weak and causally strong energy storage and dissipative elements. The method is applicable to linear or nonlinear systems that can be modeled with lumped parameter elements. The approach is demonstrated for quarter- and half-car vehicle models subject to a road profile of varying frequency. The appropriate model complexity at all stages is determined and implemented continuously without prior knowledge of input or parameter changes.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: g.rideout@mun.ca
e-mail: b26kth@mun.ca
Article navigation
November 2010
Modeling Methodologies
Active Modeling: A Method for Creating and Simulating Variable-Complexity Models
D. Geoff Rideout,
D. Geoff Rideout
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
e-mail: g.rideout@mun.ca
Memorial University
, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Kazi T. Haq
Kazi T. Haq
Graduate Student
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
e-mail: b26kth@mun.ca
Memorial University
, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Geoff Rideout
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
Memorial University
, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canadae-mail: g.rideout@mun.ca
Kazi T. Haq
Graduate Student
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
Memorial University
, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canadae-mail: b26kth@mun.ca
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control. Nov 2010, 132(6): 061201 (12 pages)
Published Online: October 28, 2010
Article history
Received:
September 29, 2008
Revised:
December 10, 2009
Online:
October 28, 2010
Published:
October 28, 2010
Citation
Rideout, D. G., and Haq, K. T. (October 28, 2010). "Active Modeling: A Method for Creating and Simulating Variable-Complexity Models." ASME. J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control. November 2010; 132(6): 061201. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4002472
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Offline and Online Exergy-Based Strategies for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (May 2025)
Multi Combustor Turbine Engine Acceleration Process Control Law Design
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control
A Distributed Layered Planning and Control Algorithm for Teams of Quadrupedal Robots: An Obstacle-Aware Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Approach
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (May 2025)
Active Data-Enabled Robot Learning of Elastic Workpiece Interactions
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (May 2025)
Related Articles
Model Synthesis for Design of Switched Systems Using a Variable Structure System Formulation
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (December,2003)
Leveraging the Equivalence of Hysteresis Models From Different Fields for Analysis and Numerical Simulation of Jointed Structures
J. Comput. Nonlinear Dynam (July,2008)
Power Conserving Bond Graph Based Modal Representations and Model Reduction of Lumped Parameter Systems
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (November,2014)
Racing from the Great White North
Mechanical Engineering (December,1998)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
The Contextual Characteristics of the Special Landscape of City Intersections
International Conference on Optimization Design (ICOD 2010)
Smart Semi-Active Control of Floor-Isolated Structures
Intelligent Engineering Systems Through Artificial Neural Networks, Volume 17
Modeling and Simulation of Gate-Cathode Junction of a Thyristor with Amplifying Gate and Emitter Shorts
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering (ICACTE 2009)