Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Wong, Thien Pin
URN	etd-08012012-040446
Title	A knowledge based expert system for the design of reinforced concrete beams
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Civil Engineering
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Rojiani, Kamal B. Committee Chair Barker, Richard M. Committee Member Holzer, Siegfried M. Committee Member
Keywords	Concrete construction
Date of Defense	1988-03-15
Availability	restricted
Abstract The design of reinforced concrete beams involves the selection of design parameters such as beam dimensions and reinforcement details which result in a safe and economical section. This process of design consists of three stages: preliminary design, structural analysis, and detailed design which includes the selection of dimensions, reinforcement, and stirrups. The design process is an iterative one where considerable judgement and experience are required. This is an ideal situation for the application of expert system technology. A knowledge based expert system called BEAMDES was developed for the flexure design of reinforced concrete beams in accordance with ACI 318-83 specifications. The expert system was developed using the micro-computer based expert system shell, Insight 2+. BEAMDES can be used to design both rectangular and tee sections. The beams can be simply supported, cantilevered, or continuous. The results obtained from BEAMDES were tested against several example problems for both supported and continuous beams. It was found that the designs recommended by the system were similar to those of the examples.
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