DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERT SYSTEM FOR TUNNEL IN SOFT ROCK

Abstract

The advancement in computer technology, with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence, enables computers to assist engineers in making logical decisions from aquired knowledge, rather then through algorithmic calculations. This development in computer technology, has lead to the development of expert systems in research, professional work and many fields of technology. An expert system -is an .artificial intelligence software incorporating a knowledge base and an inferencing system. The purpose of expert system is to make, knowledge and experience of experts, widely available. An expert system provides the solution to a problem, which can not be formulated algorithmically. This dissertation addresses the problem of design, development and implementation of a production type expert system for tunnelling in soft rock (i.e. TUNSOFT). The expert system "TUNSOFT" has been developed by using practical data. Expert system shell `EXSYS' has been used for the developement of this expert system. There are about 225 rules in this knowledge base. The suggestions from the expert system appears to be reasonably acceptable.