EXPERT SYSTEMS FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION

A description is given of expert system technology, including the principles, development, and applications of expert systems. Examples are described that illustrate the scope of expert systems applications in concrete construction, and the use of expert systems to replace or supplement guides prepared by the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The expert system, an interactive system consisting of 3 major components, a domain-speciic knowledge base of facts and heuristics, a problem-specific data base, and an inference engine (control system), is schematically presented. Knowledge and knowledge acquisition are discussed. Expert systems software is also discussed.