A hierarchical case representation using context guided retrieval

This paper presents a hierarchical case representation using a context guid ed retrieval method. The performance of this method is compared to that of a simpler flat file representation using standard nearest neighbour retriev al. The estimation of construction costs of light industrial buildings is u sed as the test domain. Each case in the system has approximately 400 featu res. These are structured into a hierarchical case representation that hold s more general contextual features at its top and specific building element s at its leaves. Problems are decomposed into sub-problems and solutions re composed into a final solution. Comparative results show that the context g uided retrieval method using the hierarchical case representation is signif icantly more accurate than the simpler flat file representation using stand ard nearest neighbour retrieval. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.