Conceptual modelling of building regulation knowledge

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Abstract

In recent years knowledge has become more and more a critical production factor for many organisations. Adequate performance of many activities depends on the availability of knowledge. However, volume and complexity of knowledge increase more and more. Consequently the accessibility of knowledge decreases.

Knowledge of fire-safety regulations is critical for architects to design fire-safe buildings and for local authorities to verify fire-safety of building designs. However, effective application of this knowledge in the Netherlands is a problem because of the volume, complexity and inaccessibility of the Dutch Fire-Safety Regulations. People in practice don't understand and consequently misinterpret the regulations. A solution to this lack of knowledge is the development of a knowledge based system.

In the development of knowledge based systems the conceptual modelling phase is an important one. In this phase knowledge of the application-domain is modelled using a conceptual modelling language.This paper describes criteria for selecting a suitable conceptual modelling language taking into account the nature of knowledge in a particular application-domain. Further it explains what the nature of building regulation knowledge is and which conceptual modelling language is most suitable to represent this knowledge. Finally the paper describes and shows some contents of a knowledge based system that advises architects to design fire-safe buildings conforming to the regulations and helps local authorities to verify building designs with respect to fire-safety regulations.

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