id: 01041841
dt: b
an: 01041841
au: van Hees, Martin Theodoor
ti: Quaestor: expert governed parametric model assembling.
so: Delft: TU Delft, 192 p. (1997).
py: 1997
pu: Delft: TU Delft
la: EN
cc: 
ut: parametric design models; assembling
ci: 
li: 
ab: Summary: The aim of this work is to create a semi-automated method for the
    assembling, execution and maintenance of parametric design models. In
    spite of the array of available computer languages and tools for
    solving numerical problems, the actual assembling of the numerical
    models has thus far obtained little research attention. Within the
    available tools, the actual model assembling is viewed as a programming
    activity. These tools generally provide a library of numerical methods
    and an instruction set for a ‘manual’ translation of the problem
    into the form manageable by the computer. This research is founded on
    the observation that in numerical design modelling many tasks are
    performed that contain elements of repetition which can be made
    generic. The first modelling sub-task comprises the selection of
    suitable model fragments, and the actual assembling and implementation
    of model in some computer code is the second sub-task. The time and
    effort involved in these tasks cannot be directed towards the actual
    core activity of numerical design modelling: the development, gathering
    and advancing of the model fragments involved. On the basis of these
    observations, a dedicated network knowledge model has been developed
    and implemented. On the basis of this knowledge model, a strategy of
    reasoning has been developed that controls the numerical model
    assembling process in dialogue with the user. By applying this new
    modelling strategy in design one can fully concentrate on the very
    essence of the design problems, being the quality and validity of the
    knowledge required to solve them. By means of several prototype
    applications, the heuristic rules, reasoning steps and properties of
    model fragments were derived. Furthermore, a syntax for coding the
    relevant forms of knowledge and a general purpose numerical solver were
    developed and implemented. A hierarchic parametric data model has been
    developed that is sufficiently expressive for all exchange and storage
    of numerical data in the process of modelling and computation.
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