Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T18:59:11.298Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A logic-based approach for processing design standards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2009

William J. Rasdorf  and
Sivand Lakmazaheri
William J. Rasdorf
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, U.S.A.
Sivand Lakmazaheri
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, Herbert Engineering Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, U.S.A.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A logic-based approach for automating the processing of design standards is illustrated. This approach is composed of three steps: conceptualization, formalization and implementation. Conceptualization is referred to as the representation of the knowledge necessary for solving the problem of interest in terms of objects and relations. Formalization is referred to as the representation of the objects and relations of interest as axioms using the language of predicate calculus. And, Implementation is referred to as the representation of the axioms of interest and the strategy for manipulating axioms using the constructs of a programming language.

The paper illustrates the logic-based approach to engineering problem-solving automation by considering the portion of the AISC Specification that governs the design of axially loaded members. First, the relations of interest are identified (Conceptualization). Then, predicate calculus is used to formally represent the relations (Formalization) as axioms and to mechanically manipulate them. The checking and designing of structural components via mechanical manipulation of the axioms are illustrated in the paper. Finally, a constraint logic programming language is used to develop a computer program for automatic processing of the specification (Implementation). This program is composed of a set of rules that closely resemble the formulated axioms.

Type
Research Article
Information
AI EDAM , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , August 1990 , pp. 179 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Elam, S. L. and Lopez, L. A. 1988 Knowledge Based Approach to Checking Designs for Conformance with Standards, Civil Engineering Studies, Civil Engineering Systems Laboratory, Research Report Series, Number 9, University of Illinois, Urbana, ILL.Google Scholar
Fenves, S. J. 1966. Tabular decision logic for structural design. Journal of Structural Division, ASCE 92, 473–490.Google Scholar
Fenves, S. J., Gaylord, E. H. and Goel, S. K. 1969. Decision Table Formulation of the 1969 AISC Specification. Civil Engineering Studies, Structural Research Series, Number 347, University of Illinois, Urbana, ILL.Google Scholar
Fenves, S. J. 1973. Representation of the computer-aided design process by a network of decision tables. Computers and Structures 3, 1099–1107.Google Scholar
Fenves, S. J., Wright, R. N., Stahl, F. I. and Reed, K. A. 1987. Introduction to SASE: Standards Analysis, Synthesis, and Expression, National Bureau of Standards, NBSIR Report 87–3513.Google Scholar
Garrett, J. H. and Fenves, S. J. 1986. A Knowledge-based Standards Processor for Structural Component Design, Technical Report R-86–157, Civil Engineering Department, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.Google Scholar
Genesereth, M. R. and Nilsson, N. J. 1988. Logical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence. San Mateo: Morgan Kaufmann.Google Scholar
Harris, J. R. and Wright, R. N. 1981. Organization of Building Standards: Systematic Techniques for Scope and Arrangement, National Bureau of Standards, Building Science Series, Report 136.Google Scholar
Hayes, P. J. 1977. In defense of logic. Proceedings of the Fifth International Joint Conference on AI, pp. 559–565.Google Scholar
Jain, D., Law, K. H., and Krawinkler, H. 1989. On processing standards with predicate calculus. Proceedings of the Sixth Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Atlanta, GA.Google Scholar
Jaffar, J., and Michaylov, S. 1986. Methodology and Implementation of a CLP System. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Logic Programming, pp. 196–218.Google Scholar
Lakmazaheri, S. 1990. A study on the constraint logic approach for structural design automation, Ph.D. thesis, Civil Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.Google Scholar
Lopez, L. A., Elam, S. and Reed, K. 1989. Software concept for checking engineering designs for conformance with codes and standards. Engineering with Computers 5, 63–78.Google Scholar
Noland, J. L. and Feng, C. C. 1975. American Concrete Institution Building Code in Decision Logic Table Format. Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, ST4 pp. 677–696.Google Scholar
Nyman, D. J., Fenves, S. J. and Wright, R. M. 1973. Restructuring Study of the AISC Specification, Civil Engineering Studies, Technical Report, Structural Research Series, Number 393, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.Google Scholar
Nyman, D. J. and Fenves, S. J. 1973. An Organizational Model for Design Specifications, Technical Report R73–4, Department of Civil Engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.Google Scholar
Nyman, D. J., Mozer, J. D. and Fenves, S. J. 1977. Decision Table Formulation of the Load and Resistance Factor Design Criteria, Technical Report R-77–6, Department of Civil Engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.Google Scholar
Rasdorf, W. J. 1979. Design specification representation at the outline-information network-decision table interface, Master’s thesis, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.Google Scholar
Rasdorf, W. J. and Fenves, S. J. 1980. Design specification representation and analysis. Proceedings of the Second Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, Baltimore, MD, 102–111.Google Scholar
Rasdorf, W. J. and Wang, T. 1988. Generic design standards processing in an expert system environment. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 2, 68–87.Google Scholar
Rasdorf, W. J. and Lakmazaheri, S. 1990. A logic-based approach for representing the reasoning about the organization of design standards. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 4.Google Scholar
Robinson, R. A. 1965. A machine-oriented logic based on resolution principle, Journal of Association for Computing Machinery, 12,23–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seeberg, P. 1971. Decision Table Formulation of the Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structure Members, Technical Report, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.Google Scholar
Wu, S. K. F. and Murray, D. W. 1976. Decision Table Processing of the Canadian Standards Association Specification. Structural Engineering Report 52, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.Google Scholar