Example of intelligent structural design system

Abstract

This paper describes the framework of the proposed intelligent structural design system, ISTRUDS, currently under development, and an implemented example, IPDOJS, intended for the preliminary design of fixed-steel offshore jacket structures. The framework comprises of a knowledge-based system development tool, a conventional structural analysis and design package, and an interfacing automatic data generator cum interactive graphic editor. Function of the latter is essentially to couple the first two tools into an integrated system so that the expertise knowledge in the implemented expert system can be used to guide the numerical procedures embedded in the analysis and design package. An interactive graphic editor has also been provided to facilitate visual modification of the pre- and postprocessed structural model. The objective of the example is to illustrate an approach to the development of an intelligent structural design system for the design of offshore and/or onshore structures.