Knowledge-based expert systems in structural design

A targe number of problems encountered by structural designers are ill-structured and are either not amenable to an algorithmic solution or the algorithms are too cumbersome and restrictive. Knowledge-based expert systems (KBES) provide a means to assist in the solution of these illstructured problems that demand considerable expertise. KBES also provide a flexible methodology for developing engineering software, as welt as a mechanism for formalizing thought processes about design. In this paper applications of KBES to the preliminary design, analysts, and detailed design phases of structural design are discussed. A conceptual view of an integrated structural design system in the tight of recent advances in KBES development is also presented. To be presented at the NASA Symposium on Advances and Trends in Structures and Dynamics, October 1984, at Washington, 0. C.