Knowledge Based Design Systems

Conceptual Design is one of the few areas of Engineering Design where computers have yet to make an impact. With the development of Knowledge Based Systems it is now possible to rectify this situation. This publication deals with the use of Knowledge Based Systems (KBS) as tools for conceptual design. Included are neglected aspects such as evaluation and user needs. Practical Knowledge Based Systems in Conceptual Design is based on the authors' experience of developing KBS for use in civil engineering, an area of industrial application which is recognised as being one of great potential. The methodology has been tried and tested by designers. Examples of systems which have been developed to solve specific design problems are included.

An introductory guide to the use of the KADS method in building Knowledge Based Systems. The book includes: introduction to KADS; explanation of KADS Analysis and Design activities and results with use of examples; and libraries of models and other applications.

Learn to build purposeful design systems that support and strengthen your team's creativity.

The goal of the volume is twofold: to help engineers to understand the design and development process and the specific techniques utilized for constructing expert systems in engineering and, secondly, to introduce computer specialists to significant applications of knowledge-based techniques in engineering. Among the authors are world famous experts of engineering and knowledge-based systems development.

Over the last decade research into design processes utilizing ideas and models drawn from artificial intelligence has resulted in a better understanding of design -- particularly routine design -- as a process. Indeed, most of the current research activity directly or indirectly deals only with routine design. Not surprisingly, many practicing designers state that the level of understanding represented by these models is only of mild interest because they fail to embody any ideas about creativity. This volume provides a set of chapters in the areas of modeling creativity and knowledge-based creative design that examines the potential role and form of computer-aided design which supports creativity. It aims to define the state-of-the-art of computational creativity in design as well as to identify research directions. Published at a time when the field of computational creativity in design is still immature, it should influence the directions of growth and assist the field in reaching maturity.

In four parts this book frames those issues and provides a diversity of perspectives on them.