Model Name: SIMULEX
Version: 2.0
Classification: Evacuation model
Very Short Description: A coordinate-based model
which calculates the evacuation
movement of individual people, through a multi-story
building.
Modeler(s), Organization(s): Dr.
Peter Thompson, IES Ltd, Scotland.
User’s Guide:
“Simulex: Evacuation modeling software”
supplied with
the software.
Technical References:
Thompson, P.A. and Marchant, E.W., Computer and
Fluid
Modelling of Evacuation, Journal of Safety Science,
18
(1995), pp 277-289.
Thompson, P.A. and Marchant, E.W.,
A Computer Model
for the Evacuation of Large Building Populations,
Fire
Safety Journal 24 (1995), pp 131-148.
Thompson, P.A., Wu, J., and Marchant,
E.W. Modelling
Evacuation in Multi-storey Buildings with Simulex,
Fire
Engineers Journal (vol. 56, no. 185), November
1996, pp 611
Validation References:
Olsson, P.A. & Regan, M.A., A Comparison between
actual and predicted evacuation times, 1st International
Symposium on Human Behaviour in Fire, University
of
Ulster, August 1998.
Thompson, P.A. and Marchant, E.W.
Testing and
Application of the Computer Model ‘Simulex’,
Fire Safety
Journal 24 (1995), pp 149-166.
Availability:
Available from Integrated Environmental Solutions
Ltd,
141 St. James Road, Glasgow, G4 0LT: www.ies4d.com
Price:
£1000 for an annual licence, £2600
for a perpetual licence.
Necessary Hardware:
Any intel-based PC running a modern 32-bit Microsoft
operating system (Windows 95, 98, 2000, Windows
M.E.)
Computer Language:
C/C++
Size:
6Mb hard disk space for installation. Minimum
64Mb
RAM required for large simulations.
Contact Information:
Peter Thompson, pete@ies4d.com , +44 (0)141 2263662
Detailed Description:
Simulex allows the user to create
a 3-D model of a building by using a number of
CAD-
designed floor plans, connected by staircases.
Occupants are ‘placed’ into the building
either one-by-one or as groups. The user defines
a number of ‘final’ exits just outside
the
building, and Simulex will automatically calculate
all travel distances throughout the
building space. When the building population has
been defined, and travel distances
calculated, a simulation can be carried out. The
user can view an ‘evacuation’ on-screen
and ‘zoom’ in on areas of interest.
It is also possible to record a simulation onto
hard disk
for later ‘real-time’ playback. Simulation
and animation occurs in time-steps of 0.1
seconds.
The algorithms for the movement of individuals
are based on real-life data, collected by
using computer-based techniques for the analysis
of human movement, observed in real-
life footage. These algorithms have produced realistic
parameters of motion for
individual people moving through different types
and geometries of door exits. Simulex
accurately models the physical shape and motion
of each individual person; side-stepping
and overtaking patterns; speed fluctuations; queuing
behaviour; body-twisting, and a
choice of different exits using the automatic
route-assessment functions.
The fluctuations in walking speed
of each individual are modeled, using the relationship
between inter-person distance and walking speed.
Validation tests have been carried out
which demonstrate that Simulex produces realistic
flow rates at complex corridor
junctions, and also that realistic evacuation
times are produced. It is used both in Fire
Engineering Consultancies and as a teaching aid
at a number of universities.
