Semantic Computing : A Structural Engineering Perspective

Practicing engineers are often faced with limitations in available computing tools as well as insufficient access to relevant knowledge for design projects and engineering jobs. At the launch of a project the immediate tasks invariably involve research, discussions with colleagues and a series of computations. These tasks are repeated until a final design is arrived at. The degree to which these tasks are well facilitated in an engineering firm helps determine the productivity of its engineers and thus the firm¿s competitiveness in the industry. Semantic computing technologies such as Semantic Web Services, Weblog, and Digital Library have substantial, untapped potential to improve the productivity of engineers. This book proposes a support system for structural engineering using these semantic computing technologies. A system architecture and the key software components for it are specified and prototype systems presented. The support system involves complementary frameworks of software infrastructure which are used to build computer-aided engineering tools that improve the productivity of individual engineers and thereby enhance the competitiveness of engineering firms.