EXPERT SYSTEMS AND DESIGN OF CONCRETE MIXTURES

The use of expert systems for concrete mix design is discussed, and the major components of an expert system, and the types of inference engines, including forward chaining and backward chaining are described. The development is described of EXMIX (in accordance with both Canada's CSA23.1-M90 sup 13 and America's ACI 211.1-89 sup 8 requirements), a knowledge-based expert system for the analysis and design of concrete mixtures by the Knowledge Based Expert System Group (KBESG). It allows the user to select concrete proportions from field testa data and trial mixtures. The expert system will give consideration to the effects of air-entraining and other performance-enhancing admixtures, fibers, cementing materials other than portland cement, and concreting temperatures.