An Expert CAD System for Marine Power Plants Using Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

An expert CAD system is developed for the design of a marine power plant using the "Artificial Intelligence" concept. Firstly, a discussion is given to understand the general design process and to apply the methodology using computers based on knowledge engineering. It was found that the knowledge base can support most effectively the conceptual design process in which the design solutions are searched using the "design knowledge". Then, an expert CAD system was built for a marine plant design. The CAD system architecture consists of the knowledge base for the design rules of the plant design and the frame type database in which various types of ship's main engines and machineries are stored. The system runs interactively to assist a designer in the synthesis phase of the design. The optimal candidate of an engine and machineries can be determined, selecting tradeoffs, selecting candidate solutions and performing design tasks. The expert CAD system developed might also advise an inexperienced designer on the appropriate procedures to solve a design problem.