Knowledge-based assistant for aluminum component design

Abstract The development details and software features are presented for a knowledge-based system for the analysis and design of aluminum structural components. Code requirements for aluminum design specified by CAN3-S157-M83, a data base of ALCAN section properties and a menu-driven user interface have been developed and integrated to assist designers in the code compliance checking process and to provide data retrieval with ease of use while maintaining the designer's freedom. The code compliance checking process is supplemented by warning messages, explanations and recommendations to help the designer in the resolution of code violations. The knowledge base for this system has been developed using efficient techniques of knowledge representation, ensuring modularity, readability and maintainability of the system, and an improved quality of automated design assistance.