Preface

Information technologies have changed people's lives to a great extent, and now it is almost impossible to imagine any activity that does not depend on computers in some way. Since the invention of the first computer systems, people have been trying to use computers to solve complex problems in various areas. The need for computer systems for the calculation of different building and automotive constructions has appeared with the development of . Traditional methods of calculation have been replaced by computer programs that have the ability to predict the behaviour of structures under different loading conditions. Hence, ex‐ pensive experiments, tests, and examinations have been replaced by cheaper and more pow‐ erful computational methods that do not require the destruction of structures to determine their capacity.

Fortunately, computer programs allow such problems to be easily solved. Computer simula‐ tion or a computer model has the task of simulating the behaviour of an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical of many natural systems in physics, quantum mechanics, chemistry, biology, economic sys‐ tems, psychology, and social sciences, as well as in the engineering process of new technolo‐ gies to gain better insight into their way of working and behaving.

Computer simulations are different from computer programs. Contrary to computer pro‐ grams that run for a few minutes, simulations can be run on a local network and can last for hours or even days.

Nowadays, computer simulations are used to solve problems in all spheres of life. Meteoro‐ logical forecasts, the calculation of rainfall, water flows in rivers, underground water flows, and oil exploitation are just some of the areas that cannot be imagined without computers. One of the most interesting computer applications is the simulation of processes in the hu‐ man body. Modern software solutions enable the calculation of muscle fatigue in certain ac‐ tivities, the deposition of fat in blood vessels, the risk of cancer, etc. In the future, these programs will be able to allow the realization of virtual surgeries and to predict the effects of surgeries before they are performed in reality.

The chapters are listed in a logical order, but they can be arranged differently, depending on the point of view.

The first chapter illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of computer simulations and their applications in almost every area and environment of everyday life.

The second chapter describes a modeling methodology to provide the main characteristics of a simulation tool for the analysis of the steady-state, transient operation and control of steam generation processes, such as heat recovery steam generators.

In the third chapter, the authors describe how to develop an agent-based model and simula‐ tion for biological systems in the Repast Simphony platform, which is a Java-based modeling system. Agent-based modeling and simulation are powerful techniques for simulating and exploring phenomena that include a large set of active components represented by agents.

The fourth chapter deals with 3D modeling and assembling of all escapement parts of Tho‐ mas Earnshaw's chronometer. First, the constructive geometry of mechanisms was complet‐ ed. Then, computer simulation was accomplished in the program "SolidWorks 2016," which generated simulation results that appeared to be very close to the real ones.

The fifth chapter presents the original computer-aided organizational modeling and simula‐ tion of relevant sociotechnical processes with regard to new housing and building law and regional management trends in the European Union.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the authors and coauthors for their contri‐ butions. The successful completion of this book has been the result of the cooperation of many people. Especially, I would like to thank the Publishing Process Manager Ms. Jasna Božić for her support during the publishing process.

> **Dragan Cvetković** Singidunum University Faculty of Informatics and Computing Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

**Chapter 1**

**Provisional chapter**

**Introductory Chapter: Computer Simulation**

**Introductory Chapter: Computer Simulation**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.84198

Information technologies have changed people's lives to a great extent, so it is almost impossible to imagine any activity which does not depend on computers. Once the first computer systems appeared, people were trying to take advantage of computers in order to solve complex problems in various areas. With the development of industry, demands for computers and computational programs in structural analysis have evolved. Traditional methods of constructing are replaced by computer programs that have the ability to predict the behavior of structures under different load conditions [1, 2]. Thus, expensive experiments, tests, and examinations are substituted by cheaper and more powerful computational methods that do

Computer programs help in solving this kind of problems. Firstly, the simulation of the real system should be made, and after that, if the simulation gives satisfactory results, realization of previously examined system can be carried out. Computer simulation or a computer model has the task to simulate an abstract model of a particular or equivalent system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modeling of many natural systems in physics, mechanics, chemistry, biology, economic systems, psychology, and social sciences, as well as in all branches of engineering, in order to gain a better insight into the work of previ-

In order to have a useful model, it is necessary to determine its behavior for defined and limited set of variables. This means that for some random input parameters are observed

not require the destruction of the structure itself in order to determine its capacity.

**1.1. Process of modeling and making of reliable computer model**

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84198

ously mentioned systems [1, 3, 4].

corresponding output values.

Dragan Cvetković

**1. Introduction**

Dragan Cvetković

#### **Introductory Chapter: Computer Simulation Introductory Chapter: Computer Simulation**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.84198

#### Dragan Cvetković Dragan Cvetković

In the third chapter, the authors describe how to develop an agent-based model and simula‐ tion for biological systems in the Repast Simphony platform, which is a Java-based modeling system. Agent-based modeling and simulation are powerful techniques for simulating and exploring phenomena that include a large set of active components represented by agents. The fourth chapter deals with 3D modeling and assembling of all escapement parts of Tho‐ mas Earnshaw's chronometer. First, the constructive geometry of mechanisms was complet‐ ed. Then, computer simulation was accomplished in the program "SolidWorks 2016," which

The fifth chapter presents the original computer-aided organizational modeling and simula‐ tion of relevant sociotechnical processes with regard to new housing and building law and

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the authors and coauthors for their contri‐ butions. The successful completion of this book has been the result of the cooperation of many people. Especially, I would like to thank the Publishing Process Manager Ms. Jasna

> **Dragan Cvetković** Singidunum University

Faculty of Informatics and Computing

Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

generated simulation results that appeared to be very close to the real ones.

regional management trends in the European Union.

VIII Preface

Božić for her support during the publishing process.

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84198

**1. Introduction**

Information technologies have changed people's lives to a great extent, so it is almost impossible to imagine any activity which does not depend on computers. Once the first computer systems appeared, people were trying to take advantage of computers in order to solve complex problems in various areas. With the development of industry, demands for computers and computational programs in structural analysis have evolved. Traditional methods of constructing are replaced by computer programs that have the ability to predict the behavior of structures under different load conditions [1, 2]. Thus, expensive experiments, tests, and examinations are substituted by cheaper and more powerful computational methods that do not require the destruction of the structure itself in order to determine its capacity.

## **1.1. Process of modeling and making of reliable computer model**

Computer programs help in solving this kind of problems. Firstly, the simulation of the real system should be made, and after that, if the simulation gives satisfactory results, realization of previously examined system can be carried out. Computer simulation or a computer model has the task to simulate an abstract model of a particular or equivalent system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modeling of many natural systems in physics, mechanics, chemistry, biology, economic systems, psychology, and social sciences, as well as in all branches of engineering, in order to gain a better insight into the work of previously mentioned systems [1, 3, 4].

In order to have a useful model, it is necessary to determine its behavior for defined and limited set of variables. This means that for some random input parameters are observed corresponding output values.

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
