Development of a knowledge based system for high performance concrete mix design

This paper is a report on an ongoing research project and the results achieved so far. The objective of the project is to develop a knowledge-based system for the mix design of high performance concrete. The system integrates two major knowledge representation techniques i.e., rule and frame systems in order to mimic experts' actions. The American Concrete Institute Manuals of concrete practice is chosen as the factual component of the knowledge base. In addition, the Sherbrooke Mix Design Method, which follows die same approach of ACI 211.1, is chosen as the method of selecting mix ingredients. The heuristic component of the knowledge base is being extracted from human experts. The major objectives of the research are acquisition and formalization of the relevant knowledge and building a knowledge-based system for the mix design of high performance concrete. The results obtained so far indicate a great promise of knowledge-based systems in the field of mix design of high performance concrete.