BIB-VERSION:: CS-TR-v2.0
          ID:: STAN//CS-TR-78-699
       ENTRY:: June 22, 1995
ORGANIZATION:: Stanford University, Department of Computer Science
       TITLE:: SACON: a knowledge-based consultant for structural analysis
        TYPE:: Technical Report
      AUTHOR:: Bennett, James
      AUTHOR:: Creary, Lewis
      AUTHOR:: Engelmore, Robert S.
      AUTHOR:: Melosh, Robert
        DATE:: September 1978
       PAGES:: 70
    ABSTRACT:: In this report we describe an application of artificial
               intelligence (AI) methods to structural analysis. We describe
               the development and (partial) implementation of an "automated
               consultant" to advise non-expert engineers in the use of a
               general-purpose structural analysis program. The analysis
               program numerically simulates the behavior of a physical
               structure subjected to various mechanical loading conditions.
               The automated consultant, called SACON (Structural Analysis
               CONsultant), is based on a version of the MYCIN program
               [Shortliffe, 1974], originally developed to advise physicians
               in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The
               domain-specific knowledge in MYCIN is represented as
               situation-action rules, and is kept independent of the
               "inference engine" that uses the rules. By substituting
               structural engineering knowledge for the medical knowledge,
               the program was converted easily from the domain of
               infectious diseases to the domain of structural analysis.
       NOTES:: [Adminitrivia V1/Prg/19950622]
         END:: STAN//CS-TR-78-699