A Conceptual Model for Reusable Simulations Within a Model-Simulator-Context Framework

Model reuse is a longstanding challenge within the simulation modeling community. While other disciplines successfully apply component-based approach to build systems, it has proven more difficult to apply in simulation development. A model is reusable to the extent that the assumptions and constraints of the experimental frame it is situated in are satisfied. Hence, without contextual information a conceptual model and its simulation may not effectively be used in a new experiment. While the value of an experimental frame for reuse is clear and well documented, one of the least appreciated, but significant aspect central to reuse is the characterization of the context of the model itself. To this end, this paper explores the extension of the basic model-simulatorexperimental frame viewpoint to assert the role of context in reuse. Furthermore, the separation of model’s concept definition and its realization is emphasized to facilitate sound and formal reasoning for reuse. Based on that perspective model qualification is defined in a formal manner to conceptualize reusability in terms of formally specified behavioral dependencies.