Computer-aided equipment selection for transporting and placing concrete

This paper describes the ingredients of an integrated computer-system environment for concreting operations. The ingredients include a description of the integration process between expert system and other management software, such as data base and spreadsheet; an operational definition of concreting operations; a model of the decision-making process; an explanation of how concreting methods and equipment selection may be presented; the factors that need to be considered; and a representation of construction expertise. These ingredients are illustrated using a prototype integrated computer system called Expert System Advisor for Concrete Placing (ESCAP), which assists in planning and controlling concrete-placing operations. Expert knowledge acquired from planning engineers and equipment specialists was structured in a form suitable for manipulation by the system. The equipment-selection process normally requires complex managerial decisions. These decisions have been the bases in developing the system. The system has considerable value in assisting less experienced personnel in reaching such decisions.