A computer-aided learning system for the design of foundations

Abstract

A computer-aided learning package is described that can provide support to students who are carrying out a foundation design. It has been developed as part of the GeotechniCAL project, funded by the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP). It represents one of five strands being developed which will form a suite of computer-aided learning (CAL) material covering the whole of the geotechnical engineering domain. The package (called ConFound) is a knowledge-based system (KBS) for preliminary (conceptual) design of foundations, and is designed specifically for use as a CAL tool. It can be used in a browsing mode in which the system simply presents options and offers general hints to aid decision making. Students will also have access to context-sensitive help on each option but no decision support is given in this mode. In a decision support mode, the system will also offer a critical assessment of the decision after it has been made, in addition to general hints prior to the decision. At any stage the student will have the option to go back and reconsider any decision. The KBS is being developed for use within the Microsoft Windows™ environment. The language for implementation of the KBS is C++. The context-sensitive help has been developed as Windows™ Help files. This hypertext material is also available to students as reference material that they can browse through independently of the KBS.