A communication model to aid knowledge-based design systems

Abstract

Recent research in the area of computer-aided engineering design has focused on the development of environments that provide effective integration of several domain specialties for complex multidisciplinary synthesis problems. The definition of communication requirements for co-operative interaction—and the subsequent establishment of a conceptual model for automating the process—are important considerations in the development of such environments. A communication model can also provide the basis for development of a knowledge engineering strategy by defining the organizational and representational requirements for domain knowledge in the automated system. This paper presents a conceptual model for communication in automated interactive design and demonstrates how the model can be employed as a knowledge engineering tool to facilitate the acquisition and organization of domain expertise. Both the process architecture and semantic modeling aspects of the communication problem are considered. An example is included which illustrates the use of the model in formulating an automated integrated engineering system in the domain of floor and equipment layout and design for industrial facilities.