Graphical Site Simulation Using an Object Oriented CAD Model

Recently, CAD research has concentrated on shifting CAD systems from the traditional line based structure to a more intelligent and object oriented structure. Most work in this area, however, has concentrated on developing applications for design work, leaving construction phase applications largely ignored. The authors of this paper have begun development work on PRISM (Project Representing Intelligent Site Modeler), an intelligent, object oriented CAD tool that will be used during the construction phase as well during design. PRISM will consist of a 3D CAD tool linked to a knowledge base system. The knowledge base will hold various types of site information in the form of object attributes and rules and will be able to reason about the project while CAD will be used to graphically display the results of that reasoning. PRISM will be initially used at the site to represent and simulate retaining wall construction. Readings from inclinometers will be fed directly to PRISM which will graphically display these measurement results. Furthermore, the knowledge base will be able to carry out back analysis and reason about the measurement results, offering suggestions where possible.