Different approaches for studying interruptible industrial processes: Application of two different simulation techniques

Simulation is the best tool used to predict the behavior of real world systems. For the analysis of complex systems, simulation is often used prior to the operation of the system as a mediator for a dynamic situation. This chapter presents the issue of complex systems simulation through Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and System Dynamics (SD) techniques. The Authors original approach stands in the combined employ of the two SD and DES simulation techniques to solve real logistic problems. In the course of the chapter, examples of real world issues regarding logistics are explained. In particular, the following case studies are provided: a production environment, a waste collection scheme, a hub base, a harbor including container terminal, bulk terminal and navigation channel.