In steel structure design code-checking according to Eurocode 3 is a comprehensive task. Especially check of resistance and classification of cross-sections needed for the determination of the type of frame analysis (elastic, plastic) and the cross-sectional strength is complex. However, effective application of these rules is a problem due to complexity and inaccessibility of the rules. This leads to misunderstanding and misinterpretation by designers. Further, rules seem to be incomplete and inconsistent.

This paper describes a knowledge based system approach to check completeness and consistency of rules in Eurocode 3 and to improve the accessibility of these rules. In order to realise this we use the conceptual modelling language "Decision Tables" to model the rules and the conceptual modelling tool "AKTS" to draw and access the decision tables. Decision tables clearly demonstrate completeness and inconsistency of knowledge. AKTS enables to model knowledge in decision tables and to access this knowledge. This makes Decision Tables and AKTS an excellent combination for the development of a knowledge based system to support a complete and consistent resistance check and classification of cross-sections in steel structures according to Eurocode 3.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £75 +P&P)