Applications of Artificial Intelligence Techniques to Component‐Based Modular Building Design

Abstract

Research in construction automation at the University of Reading led to the formulation of a computer‐integrated, component‐based construction system. The Reading Building System was rationalized for automation following a systematic study of the construction processes involved in the design and erection of a variety of building types, especially high‐tech offices. Computer‐aided design (CAD) packages were written that used Parts Set components as primitives and that offered flexibility in design that was so often lacking in earlier approaches to system building. At the same time, a family of automation aids was developed to manipulate the parts that were modeled in the CAD programs.