AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF ROOF TRUSSES

Abstract

Expert Systems are the predominant area of Artificial Intelligence. Expert systems are computer programs designed to solve problems that normally require logical consideration of both facts and heuristic to arrive at a decision. An ideal application of expert system is for solving problems requiring levels of expertise that are not always available. At this stage in time design codes are being used as the means of transferring knowledge. The knowledge in the design codes is usually widespread and ill-structured which in turn means that obtaining the necessary information is a tedious job. Thus expert systems prove to be an effective means of transferring the knowledge of specialist. In this dissertation "ESTAD"-Expert System for Truss Analysis and Design has been developed. The package serves a two fold purpose in as much as it is capable of a). Assisting in the design of a truss in a step by step manner, based on nominal inputs from the user. b). Assisting in the evaluation of an existing truss with regard to relevant code provisions. The above functions are complementary to each other and share the same knowledge base and semantics. In order to address the task of truss design/checking in its totality various program modules have been integrated in a cohesive manner. A C++ master module has been interfaced with an expert system shell- EXSYS and a 2 dimensional truss analysis program(originally developed in FORTRAN) so as to represent a single entity, transparent to the end user. The knowledge bases in this package have been partially derived from IS: 1893-1984 and IS:875-1987 partially based on thumb rules in existence. The knowledge base has also drawn -freely from design examples in standard literature. It has been concluded that use of the expert system in the field of design is possible and can be used very effectively in handling the different modules of analysis and design in an integrated manner.