Issues in expert system aids for a large engineering simulation code

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5841350

Fink, R K; Callow, R A; Ransom, V H

Coupling expert systems with existing engineering analysis codes is a promising area for artificial intelligence applications. An expert system can provide ready access to a knowledge base larger than most individual analysts would possess and thus can provide for easier and less costly use of the code and also reduce the potential for code misuse. The functions appropriate for expert system assistance and some of the issues that arise in developing such systems that have been identified through experimentation with the ATHENA code, a large digital simulation code for analysis of thermal-hydraulic energy networks, are discussed. The use of an expert system as a front-end user interface to analysis codes is conceptually appealing and with obvious benefits. Expert systems can play a substantial role in the execution and output analysis phases of simulation code usage. The integration of these roles leads to the concept of an intelligent environment for simulation code usage. The knowledge specific to the particular system being modeled, including modeling abstraction decisions, and specific knowledge about the numerical solution methods of the code can be used for more effective code execution control and output diagnosis. Expected benefits are improved quality of results and/or reduced execution cost. The methods for using this knowledge in an intelligent environment are discussed, with applications to current codes as well as implications for archtecture of future large engineering simulation codes. 4 refs., 2 figs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5841350
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-29885; CONF-860729-5; ON: DE86009098
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420100 -- Engineering-- General Engineering-- (-1987)
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200* -- Mathematics & Computers
A CODES
ANALOG SYSTEMS
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
EXPERT SYSTEMS
FORTRAN
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
LISP
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR SIMULATORS
SIMULATION
SIMULATORS