Object‐Oriented Modeling of Design System for RC Buildings

Abstract

Previously developed software for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings had been loosely connected using interface integration architecture. The latest advances in the field of conceptual modeling, engineering database design, and implementation provided an opportunity for improvement toward integration around a central, object database. This paper describes the design system and an object‐oriented (OO) approach that was selected as a modeling method for the system. The approach uses OO design and analysis techniques for information modeling. To be able to manage numerous classes, an abstract model consisting of a class graph, a taxonomy of relations, and a taxonomy of class categories was devised. Client‐server relations between components of the model were highlighted in the study. Multiuser relational database was used to store the details. The resulting model as well as some implementation issues related to OO databases are presented. It is shown how object‐oriented modeling can be applied in the process of facilitating the transition of loosely connected programs with an object database and the next‐generation software.