Knowledge processing for structural design

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation into the potential of applying knowledge-based techniques to the automation of the structural design process. Knowledge-based techniques involve incorporating domain-dependent knowledge in a computer program and manipulating it by a separate set of rules often called control rules using some problem-solving techniques from Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The use of AI techniques are demonstrated by developing simple prototypes to assist in the different stages of the structural design process. First of all, a conceptual model for integrated structural design is presented which suggests a number of enhancements to an existing model proposed by earlier researchers. Subsequently, three components of the model are developed using an expert system development tool and incorporating AI problem-solving techniques.

The prototypes developed in this study incorporate knowledge for the design of industrial buildings. The preliminary design module, AL TSEL, contains knowledge for the selection of alternative structural systems for an industrial building. Most of the knowledge contained in this module is obtained by interviewing some practicing engineers. The knowledge elicitation process for ALTSEL resulted in some important conclusions. The other two prototypes developed are called DEIDEX and DESCON and are concerned with the detailed design and design reviewing for portal frames respectively. The purpose of this project was not to develop a fully-working system but investigate and illustrate the utility of AI tools and techniques for computer-aided design of structures.

The computer programming In the project mainly involved encoding rules in the Edinburgh PROLOG Blackboard Shell syntax and procedural clauses in Prolog. The structural analysis programs used were written in FORTRAN77. Sample runs of the prototypes running separately as well as running together as an integrated system are also included. All the rules from the prototypes are not given but some of the representative rules from all the prototypes are included in the respective chapters. Also included is a description of the interface between FORTRAN and PROLOG developed in this work.