Interactive knowledge-based assistance for conceptual design of building structures

During conceptual structural design the engineer proposes initial structural solutions to early architectural designs. At this stage, the decisions made by the engineer are based mostly on knowledge about structural behaviours and experience on the applicability of available construction technologies and materials to different design situations. This research proposes a knowledge-based computer approach to assist the engineer in proposing feasible structural solutions to the architect interactively. With this approach a structural solution is developed by the engineer from an overall description to a specific one through the progressive use of knowledge. A first prototype has been implemented and is being enhanced with a knowledge-base for design exploration. Therefore, an example of envisioned computer support is used to illustrate the capabilities of the proposed approach.