Modeling a bouncing ball with STELLA

[topito2]

Does any of you have an idea of how to model the behavior of a bouncing ball with STELLA (ISEE Systems)? I have only been able to get my model to show correctly the first two cycles of the bouncing motion.

My idea is to have STELLA to plot the first cycle and have a variable to multiply the initial velocity of the movement by the elastic coefficient e, but it seems it is impossible for STELLA to have a variable to be incremented in a discrete manner, only continous.

I have searched Google and found nothing. Could it be that STELLA can only be used to model time-continous variables and cannot handle discrete variables?

 

[topito2]

I found a way

I found an article that shows how to model hybrid events (discrets and continous) with STELLA

www.systemdynamics.org/conferences/2003/proceed/PAPERS/254.pdf

It is a very good article

 

[charng]

my first response would be to suggest exploring other modeling software that may better suit the needs of this particular project. While STELLA may be limited in its capabilities for discrete variables, there are likely other programs that can handle this type of modeling more effectively.

However, if STELLA is the only available option, there are a few potential solutions that could be explored. One possibility is to use a combination of discrete and continuous variables in the model. For example, the initial velocity could be represented as a continuous variable, while the bouncing motion itself could be represented as a discrete variable. This may require some creative thinking and experimentation to get the model to accurately represent the behavior of a bouncing ball, but it could be a viable option.

Another approach could be to use a different type of model, such as a differential equation model, which may be better suited for modeling the behavior of a bouncing ball. This would require a different software and a different approach to modeling, but it could potentially provide more accurate results.

In any case, it may also be helpful to consult with other experts or researchers in the field who have experience with modeling bouncing objects. They may have insights or tips that could assist in solving this issue. Additionally, reaching out to the developers of STELLA for support or guidance could also be beneficial. Overall, it may require some trial and error and creative problem-solving, but with persistence and collaboration, a successful model of a bouncing ball can be achieved using STELLA or other modeling software.