A SYSTEM FOR DESCRIBING DESIGN ARTIFACTS USING THE KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION TECHNIQUE OF FRAMES

Any attempt to utilize computer aids to automate or partially automate the design process must resolve the problem of representing the desig n artifact in a manner that is suited both to computer manipulation an d to engineering analysis, and subsequently to design. Recognizing the se needs, we have devised a model, referred to as the description syst em, that is based on the frame technique of description or knowledge r epresentation. Our goals were to explore the suitability of frames for modeling design artifacts, evaluate their characteristics, explore th eir robustness and assess their applicability in the structural engine ering domain. This paper reports on the development of a computer impl ementation of a system, referred to as a description system, designed to achieve these goals. The description system consists of three level s: the system shell; the knowledge base; and instantiations of descrip tions. This system implements various facilities which are useful to d esigners, including the computation of design values, integrity mainte nance, providing default values, and supporting explanation. This pape r presents an overview of the three levels of the description system, briefly discusses its main features and illustrates a civil engineerin g application involving the design of a two-storey structure.