EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Computers have traditionally been used to solve engineering problems that are formulized and analytical in nature. The desire to use computer to aid the solutions of engineering problems that do not have straight forward algorithm, requires skillful manipulation of large quantities of knowledge assumptions and hypothesis and revising them when it is necessary until the solution is achieved. The whole process of problem solving requires symbolic computation which is beyond the realm of traditional programming and can be successfully handled with Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). In Civil Engineering, the major application of A.I., which is basically a software technique, to emulate the human reasoning process, are the Knowledge Based Expert Systems (KBES). ' This dissertation presents a tool to help the solid waste management personal to select and design the best solid waste management system. This expert system has been developed using a expert system development shell EXSYS and runs on personal computers. External programs written in any language are acceptable and are called by the main knowledge base when required. The suggestions from the expert system appears to be reasonably acceptable.