Design management plan generator, knowledge-based system for planning the design processes in the construction industry

The objective of the research was to create a rational tool to aid the planning of the design process. The tool is a knowledge-based system which uses the knowledge acquired from investigating the structure of detail design decisions of architects and engineers together with the interfaces with construction. The hypothesis upon which the tool and the knowledge base has been formed is that there are patterns of information transfers between designers which can be identified as a network. This network can form underlying logic of a planning system. Design decisions are controlled by the selection and constraints produced by building elements. Each element implies a fundamental sequence of design activities. When solving a specific design problem, a selected set from this fundamental sequence of activities will be adjusted to satisfy the requirements of the particular design problem. The constraints control the selection of the fundamental sequence in two different directions; tailoring the design elements to a specific building and modifying those elements to fit with each other. In practice, it is difficult to identify the network as its complexity increases as the number of different elements increases. However, by selecting two different design elements and studying the constraints which each of them impose on the other, it proposed that the complex network of design decisions can be constructed from the sub-networks. The main approach to this problem is to compile a prototype of the knowledge base of the sub-nets of building elements. The first implied fundamental sequence which can be operated on by requirements of a specific building. Existing concepts based on Case-Based Reasoning have been evaluated but found to be unsatisfactory in dealing with the variety and complexity of modem buildings. The new approach is based on the development of the inherent design sequence of each technology. A proof-of-concept expert system has been built together with a test knowledge base for precast concrete cladding. The system and its knowledge base have been evaluated by specialist designers from the precast concrete cladding industry. As a result, a sophisticated knowledge-based system has been created, which explores many aspects of Al technology. Development of the system into a useful tool will require the close cooperation with the experts in the construction industry to obtain the necessary expertise and literature to build the knowledge base and to test a working prototype. This research has established a sound base from which to develop a knowledge-based system which can be used to educate students and professionals in the structure of the detail design operations. Secondly it will provide a tool for designers and design managers to plan and manage the design operations in detail, which is a major need in the construction industry.