Using subsystem linear regression metamodels in stochastic simulation

This article explores the use of metamodels as simulation building blocks. The metamodel replaces a part of the simulation model with a mathematical function that mimics the input–output behavior of that part, with respect to some measure of interest to the designer. The integration of metamodels as components of the simulation model simplifies the model and reduces the simulation time. Such use of the metamodels also gives the designer a better understanding of the behavior of those parts of the model, making the simulation model as a whole more intelligible. The metamodel-based simulation model building process is examined, step by step, and the designer options are explored. This process includes the identification of the metamodel candidates and the construction of the metamodels themselves. The assessment of the proposed approach includes the evaluation of the integration effort of the metamodel into the metamodel-based simulation model, and the accuracy of the output data when compared to the original system. A metamodel-based simulation model validation test, based on a simulation model validation test, is developed to ensure that the response conforms to the original simulation model. The proposed test comprises the cases when the simulation response variance varies with the experimental point and when it is constant. A message routing and processing example, with a fourth-degree polynomial regression metamodel, is used to illustrate the proposed procedure. An integrated simulation system is used to integrate the metamodel-based simulation model as well as the original simulation model. 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.