A rule-based expert system for finite element mesh design

The aim of the paper is to present an application of the rule-based expert system for finite element mesh design. The system was developed to propose the appropriate type of the finite elements and determine the resolution values to specify the density of the finite element mesh to be used for the analysis. Despite quite extensive knowledge base, comprising about 1900 rules, the architecture based on the production rules allows a relatively simple method for its enhancement if necessary. An expert system shell built in Prolog enables efficient use of the knowledge base and adequate communication between the system and the user. An interesting feature of the system is the ability to explain the inference process. Thus the system can also be used as a teaching tool for inexperienced users - students. Both, the time and memory space requirements of the system, are modest and do not represent any significant problem.