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.

This volume and its companion volume includes the edited versions of the principal lectures and selected papers presented at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Optimization and Decision Support Systems in Civil Engineering. The Institute was held in the Department of Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh from June 25th to July 6th 1989 and was attended by eighty participants from Universities and Research Institutes around the world. A number of practising civil and structural engineers also attended. The lectures and papers have been divided into two volumes to reflect the dual themes of the Institute namely Optimization and Decision Support Systems in Civil Engineering. Planning for this ASI commenced in late 1986 when Andrew Templeman and I discussed developments in the use of the systems approach in civil engineering. A little later it became clear that much of this approach could be realised through the use of knowledge-based systems and artificial intelligence techniques. Both Don Grierson and John Gero indicated at an early stage how important it would be to include knowledge-based systems within the scope of the Institute. The title of the Institute could have been: 'Civil Engineering Systems' as this would have reflected the range of systems applications to civil engineering problems considered by the Institute. These volumes therefore reflect the full range of these problems including: structural analysis and design; water resources engineering; geotechnical engineering; transportation and environmental engineering.

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.

Expert Systems in Construction and Structural Engineering is a valuable reference both for researchers interested in the state-of-the-art of civil engineering expert systems, and practitioners interested in exploring the practical applications of this new technology.

This book presents the state of the art of artificial intelligence techniques applied to structural engineering. The 28 revised full papers by leading scientists were solicited for presentation at a meeting held in Ascona, Switzerland, in July 1998. The recent advances in information technology, in particular decreasing hardware cost, Internet communication, faster computation, increased bandwidth, etc., allow for the application of new AI techniques to structural engineering. The papers presented deal with new aspects of information technology support for the design, analysis, monitoring, control and diagnosis of various structural engineering systems.

Engineering, medicine, computer science, mathematics, and business all use applications of expert systems for problem solving that would normally require human skill. These expert systems solve varied problems with a similar procedure - so that knowledge of their use in other specialties will inevitably benefit yours. Expert Systems: Applications for Structural, Transportation, and Environmental Engineering provides a comprehensive, concise treatment of knowledge-based expert systems that introduces you to the flavor, concepts, and capacity of this powerful procedure. Expert Systems covers preliminary design of three-dimensional grids, design systems for low rise industrial buildings, preliminary design of frameworks, bridge design systems, and retaining wall design - especially the methodologies for these applications to structural design. The author presents design standards, typical expert systems for construction engineering and management applications, and the underlying concepts of expert systems, emphasizing bridge analysis, rating, and management. He describes the methodology and applications which aid the transportation and highway engineer in planning, design, and operation and addresses several applications in the fields of environmental and water resources engineering. Automation of the advice-giving of experts is used in design, process planning, manufacturing schedule, quality control, and diagnosis by a range of disciplines. Expert Systems increases your awareness of the versatility of expert systems in these disciplines and offers the theory and algorithms you need to use expert systems in design, maintenance, and construction.