Modelgedeelte

Modelgedeelte is a Dutch term used to refer to a discrete component or sub-model within a larger model. The concept is used in contexts where a complex representation is divided into smaller parts to simplify design, analysis, calibration, or communication. A modelgedeelte defines a bounded portion of the model with its own inputs, outputs, assumptions, and equations or rules, and it interfaces with other modelgedeelten through well-defined boundaries.

Decomposition into modelgedeelten supports modular development, independent testing, calibration against data, and clearer explanation of how a model represents reality. Each modelgedeelte typically has a specific purpose, and its behavior may be studied or improved without altering the entire model.

In practice, modelgedeelten appear in many domains: in engineering and simulation, a vehicle model might include modelgedeelten for the engine, drivetrain, aerodynamics, and suspension; in climate or ecological models, separate modelgedeelten may cover atmosphere, ocean, land surface, and biogeochemical processes; in software or information modeling, sub-models or modules can be treated as modelgedeelten.

The term is descriptive rather than a fixed technical term; some fields prefer terms such as submodel, module, or component. When documenting models, referring to modelgedeelten helps to communicate structure, dependencies, and assumptions, and supports reuse by exchanging a single part of a model without rebuilding the whole system.