Distributed Multi-Reasoning Mechanism to Support Conceptual Structural Design

Abstract

The conceptual phase of structural design involves selecting preliminary materials, selecting the overall structural form of the building, producing a rough dimensional layout, and considering technological possibilities. Decisions are made on the basis of such information as height of the building, building use, typical live load, wind velocity, earthquake loading, design fundamental period, design acceleration, maximum lateral deflection, spans, story height, and other client requirements. More detailed information about the task itself, constraints, possible solution principles, and known solutions for similar problems is extremely useful in the process of defining and finding a solution to the design problem. This paper presents the M-RAM, which is intended to assist engineers in the conceptual phase of the structural design of tall buildings by providing designers with adapted past design solutions generated by a distributed multi-reasoning mechanism. The objective of the M-RAM (Multi-Reasoning Model) is to provide the adapted past design solutions in an organized and reliable way, creating a support system to enhance creativity, engineering knowledge, and experience of designers. To test the feasibility of the proposed model, a prototype of a distributed artificial intelligence system was developed in which the Internet was used as a communication backbone for the different systems that implemented the reasoning mechanisms.