Qualitative reasoning, dimensional analysis and computer algebra

Abstract

Introduction Qualitative Reasoning about physical processes has become very important in various applications involving modeling, design and simulation of devices. Many approachs to qualitative reasoning about physical processes have appeared in the literature of artificial intelligence (AI). Among them, we can cite Naive Physics [1], Qualitative Process Theory [2], Qualitative Physics based in Confluences [3] and Qualitative Simulation [4]. More recently, the Theory of Dimensional Analysis (TDA) has been applied as a supporting technique to Qualitative Reasoning about Physical Processes. The main works in this direction have been forwarded by Kokar [5], and in a much formal and systematic approach by Bhaskar and Nigam [6]. The intention of this short progress report is to give an account of a system, in development, which is being particularly designed to compute all the relevant informations to qualitative reasoning about physical processes through the intra and inter-regime analyses obtained from dimensional analysis [6].