An Expert System For Design Codes and Design Rules

This paper demonstrates applicability of expert systems to design codes and design rules. Design codes and design rules contain knowledge based on experience of accepted practice. Design codes differ from design rules in that their knowledge is written down and available for perusal thus simplifying the knowledge acquisition process. However this knowledge is ill-structured and difficult to use for all but the experts. The paper demonstrates how the expert system shell BUILD may be used to construct expert systems for design codes and rules. Prototypical systems are shown for the Australian Model Uniform Building Code and for use in the preliminary design of kitchens. The examples show how the same knowledge may be used not only in an analysis mode but also in a design synthesis mode