Computer Aided Expert System for Management
of Bridges
K. M. Anwar Hossain
Department of Civil Engineering,
Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
Abstract
This paper presents
the development of a computer aided bridge management system (CADBMS) for
Papua New Guinea. This includes the creation of a
bridge management
information system database (BMISD) based on all bridges in the country.
BMISD serves as a complete data bank for bridges and can be
used to retrieve
or update information for any bridge. The information from BMISD is critically
analysed to create a knowledge-based database (KBD)
logically linking
all bridge parameters to the repair, maintenance and rehabilitation (RMR)
options. The KBD is written in Micro-soft Excel with
its Visual Basic
Interface (VBI). The data supplied by the user will be processed by the
expert system to produce best RMR options with due
consideration
of economy. The engineer is then being able to choose the preferred RMR
option for a particular damage for any arbitrary bridge.
CADBMS is found
useful and attractive to students, consulting firms and practicing engineers.
