Artificial intelligence and knowledge-based expert systems for civil engineering applications

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology provides techniques for developing computer programs for carrying out a variety of tasks, simulating the intelligent way of problem solving by humans. Civil engineering is a collection of a set of intelligent tasks, consisting of different activities such as planning, analysis, design, construction, management and maintenance. The paper presents AI and expert system technologies and the application to engineering design, which needs problem solving paradigms other than numerical computing. Typical case studies of integrated systems are presented to highlight the importance of task analysis and process models that are needed for development of these systems. Future directions in the use of AI, expert systems, genetic algorithms (GAs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) leading to development of virtual engineering environment for potential application in civil engineering are indicated.