Basic Model Behavior with Stella.

Learning Objectives: Start learning: 1) how to use Stella II software; 2) some basics
of model construction; and fundamentals of Stocks and Flows.
Open Stella II software and get into the Model Window (see left tab).

Build each simple model described in this document (drag and drop icons and connect
them together appropriately) and run each for 20 days (Run menu select Run Specs to
change the length of the run). The model is simulating the content (in acre-feet) of water
in a lake. The flows are in acre-ft per day. Set up a graph of C and either inflow (or
outflow) for each simulation. Do this by clicking and dragging the graph pad icon to an
empty location on the model window. Next double click on the graph pad and select
items for graphing.
This YouTube video is a quick guide to getting started. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=vYcyLz6tBKE

Resave this document and modify it by including your answers to all questions and
pasting in graphs where appropriate. Submit this document when you are finished.
Linear Growth/decrease
Stella Model 1 Tank flow

Stella Model 2 Tank flow

C

inflow

inflow

C(t) = C(t - dt) + (inflow) * dt

INIT C = 50

C(t) = C(t - dt) + (inflow) * dt

INIT C = 50

INFLOWS:
inflow =5

INFLOWS:
inflow = 5 (note : the inflow was changed
from uniflow to biflow. To do this double
click on the inflow when you are in the
model screen. )
Stella Model 4 Tank flow

Stella Model 3 Tank flow

C

outflow

inflow

C(t) = C(t - dt) + (- outflow) * dt

INIT C = 50

C(t) = C(t - dt) + (inflow) * dt

INIT C = 50

OUTFLOWS:
outflow = 5

INFLOWS:
inflow = - 5 (note : the inflow was
changed from uniflow to biflow. To do this
double click on the inflow when you are in
the model screen. )

Question1: How does the behavior of model 2 compare to that of model 1?

Ans1:
Insert a graph here of C vs time and inflow vs time (both on same axes) for model 2.
Please see the YouTube video regarding pasting from Stella into Word. It discusses how
to avoid huge electronic file sizes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c0x4BYdhfs

Question 2: How does the behavior of model 3 compare to that of model 4?

Ans2:
Question 3: Double click on the icon for C and check or uncheck the non-negative
check-box. Re-run the model for 20 days. Compare the output of model 4 when the
non-negative check-box is checked to the output when the non-negative check-box is Not
checked. What does the non-negative check box do?
Ans3:
Paste graphs of checked and unchecked below. Resize so they sit side by side.

Change the units of time to years. Theres nothing really that you have to do except
change your mental focus and double click on the graph to change the label
corresponding to units.
Stella Model 5 (Bank Balance)
$
Initial $
Monthly increase

yearly growth Rate%

$(t) = $(t - dt) + (Monthly_increase) * dt

INIT $ = Initial_$
INFLOWS:
Monthly_increase = $*yearly_growth_Rate
%/100
Initial_$ = 100
yearly_growth_Rate% = 20
Question 4: How much is in the account after 20 year? Ans 4:
Insert a graph of $ vs. time here for your 20 year simulation.

Change the units of time to minutes. Theres nothing really that you have to do except
change your mental focus and double click on the graph to change the label
corresponding to units. C below stands for tank content.
Stella Model 6 (Leaky Tank)

C(t) = C(t - dt) + (- Noname_1) * dt

INIT C = initial_content
OUTFLOWS:
Outflow = C/hole_parameter
hole_parameter = 10
initial_content = 100
The reason for adding the initial content as a separate converter here is that this can then
be linked to a slider input in the interface window. This allows the model user to easily
change the input of a model.

Build Model 6 and set up a graph of C vs time in the interface window. When setting up
the graph check the comparative graph check box. Add slider inputs for both initial
content and hole parameter.
Make 4 runs of the model and present a graph showing all of these runs.
Run 1: Initial content =100 ; hole parameter=10
Run 2: Initial content =200 ; hole parameter=10
Run 3: Initial content =100 ; hole parameter=20
Run 4: Initial content =200 ; hole parameter=20
Question 5: as the hole parameter increases the tank becomes (more or less leaky)? Ans
5:

Insert a graph of C vs. time here for your four 20 minute simulations.

Change the units of time to years. Theres nothing really that you have to do except
change your mental focus and double click on the graph to change the label
corresponding to units. The stock population is the number of organisms of a
hypothetical population.
S Shaped Growth
Stella Model 7 Shaped Growth
population

births

birth rate

deaths

death rate

population(t) = population(t - dt) + (births - deaths) *

dt
INIT population = 1
INFLOWS:
births = population*birth_rate
OUTFLOWS:
deaths = population*death_rate+.004*population^2
birth_rate = .2
death_rate = .01
Question 5: What is the carrying capacity of this population? I.e. the equilibrium level.
Insert a graph of population vs. time here for a 50 year simulation.