CONCEPT OF MODELS AND

MODELLING
MODELLING TYPES AND
APPROACHES
MODELLING DISPLAYS

THE MEANING OF MODEL

SIMPLIFIED REPRESENTATION OF
THE REAL WORLD
IDEAL REPRESENTATION OF A
GROUP OR CLASS OF OBJECTS
IDEAL REPRESENTATION OF A
REAL SYSTEM

SIMPLIFIED
REPRESENTATION OF THE
REAL WORLD
Physical Model, generally an imitation and nonfunctioning
Mock-up (true physical model): true to scale
models
Scale models, such as the Globe, Miniature,
Maquette, etc.
Some models do perform rudimentary (first
model) the basic functions: airplane model

IDEAL REPRESENTATION OF A
GROUP OR CLASS OF OBJECTS
A member of this group or class of objects
is selected based on the ideal
Based on certain criteria such as physical
laws, desirable characters or esthetics, such
as Photo Model, Art Model etc.
In geology: the Bouma/turbidite model, the
Allen/delta model, Mississippi Delta
model, etc.

GEOKONSEP

13.GEOLOGICAL MODELS
AND MODELLING
QUANTITATIVE GEOLOGY

IDEAL REPRESENTATION OF
A REAL SYSTEM
Ideal representation of natural process as a
real system
The real system is based on physics and
chemistry or biology laws, represented by
mathematical equations, its relationship,
showing cause and effect

DEFINITION OF SYSTEM MODELS

(Kendall and Buckland, 1960)
A formalized expression of a theory or the causal
situation which is regarded as having generated
observed data.
In statistical analysis the model is generally
expressed in mathematical form, but diagrammatic
models are also found
Meaning of models in geology: In most general
sense a model provides a framework for
organizing or structuring a geological study

MODELLING TYPE AND

APPROACHES

MODEL TYPES
MODEL EXPRESSION FORM
TYPES OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELLING
APPROACHES
MODELLING TECHNIQUES

MODELLING TYPES
PHYSICAL MODELS
- Scale models
- True to scale models
- Analog models
SYSTEM MODELS
- Conceptual/Qualitative models
- Mathematical/Numerical models

CONCEPTUAL/QUALITATIVE
MODELS
Mental image or abstraction of some natural
phenomenon, based on a foundation of
observations and serves to express some segment
of the real world in idealized form
Simplification to retain essential features of the
phenomenon, with extraneous details omitted
(ignored)
A conceptual model can be expressed in diagrams:
cross-sections, maps, flow charts etc.

MATHEMATICAL (SYSTEM)/
NUMERICAL MODELS
A mathematical model is based on a conceptual
model, in which the real system is formulated into
mathematical equations based on natural laws
(physics and chemistry)
Assumptions and simplification are made in the
mathematical formulation and/or in the solution
techniques. In this sense a simplification of the
real world, and it can lead to error due to poor
knowledge of the real system and its behavior, as
it is inherited from the conceptual model, which
may have incorrect original input

MODEL EXPRESSION FORMS

MATERIAL FORM
Scale models
Analogue models
SYMBOLIC FORM
Diagrammatic/Graphic Models
Mathematical Equation Models

TYPES OF
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
STATIC MODELS
- Spatial relations only
DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MODELS
- Spatial and temporal (space and time)
relations

BASIC FEATURES OF MANY

DYNAMIC SYSTEM MODELS
System elements
System boundaries
Structure of interrelationships, including
feedback
Transport and accounting materials and
energy
Time flow
Example: Geological Rock Cycle

CONCEPT OF SYSTEMS
DEFINITION OF SYSTEM:
a system is a set of dynamic
interrelated components within a
set of boundaries, which may or
may not be in equilibrium

TYPE OF SYSTEMS
CLOSED SYSTEMS: isolated systems,
neither receive nor provide output to the
outer world or to the larger systems that
surround it
OPEN SYSTEMS: Real world systems are
invariably open, being continually affected
by external factors and in a state of dynamic
equilibrium

MATHEMATICAL
MODELLING APPROACH
PROBABILISTIC/STATISTICAL
MODEL
Statistical Models
Stochastic-process Models
DETERMINISTIC MODELS

PROBABILISTIC /STATISTICAL
MODELS
Statistical Models:
A conventional statistical model has one or more random
components related to measurement error, equation error
or the inherent variability of the object being measured,
such as actual differences in shapes etc (ex.: pebbles)
Stochastic-process Models:
May contain similar random effects but has in addition a
specific random process built into it, which describe the
phenomenon on a probability basis rather than
deterministic basis

DETERMINISTIC MODELS
The system is expressed in mathematical
equations, involving variables, parameters,
and constants with no random components,
therefore no elements of chance
The initial boundary conditions are assumed
to be correct
The state of the model at any point in time is
completely pre-determined

DETERMINISTIC MODELS
can be:
DYNAMIC DETERMINISTIC
Spatial and temporal relationship

STATIC DETERMINISTIC
Spatial relationship only

MODELLING TECHNIQUES
SIMULATION
FORWARD MODELLING
INVERSE MODELLING

SIMULATION
A class of techniques that involves setting
up a model of a real system and then
performing experiments on the model.
Initial and boundary conditions are assumed
and it is a simplification of the real world
and thus lead to conceptual forms

FORWARD MODELLING
Simulates sets of process and responses,
used commonly as a set of experiments
in which the initial and boundary
conditions and the process and response
variables are progressively adjusted
until the simulation matches available
observations

INVERSE MODELLING
This method uses present day observations (truth)
to make estimates of the initial and boundary
conditions and the continuous process-response
that operated throughout time to produce the
observed condition
This method involves a mathematical rigorous
/tight process of running a forward model multiple
times, adjusted progressively through feedback so
that difference between prediction and observations
are minimized (trial and error method)

MODELLING DISPLAYS

ACTUAL OBJECTS
PHYSICAL AND SCALE MODELS
GRAPHICAL DISPLAY
Curves or diagram
2-D Diagrams (Cross-sections of maps)
3-D Diagrams (Block Diagrams)
ANIMATION
NUMBERICAL PRINT-OUTS

GEOLOGICAL
COMPUTER MODELS
ISOLATED GEOLOGICAL
SYSTEMS MODEL
INTEGRATED BASINS
MODELS

ISOLATED GEOLOGICAL
SYSTEM MODELS

Sedimentation Models (simulation)

Balanced Cross-sections Models
Tectonic Development Models
Stratigraphic Models (with process
response variables)
Geohistory Models
Geodynamic Models