The application of the relational data model to computer-aided building design

This study addresses the problem of how to structure an integrated computer-aided building design system. The thesis proposes that all of the quantitative aspects of a building description should be integrated into a common database in order that different analysis programs can be used to explore design trade-offs. A theoretical basis on which to accomplish this integration is developed; namely, the relational model of data into which three-dimensional geometry and set-geometric operations have been introduced in one uniform scheme. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by the implementation of a fully relational database system called ARCH:MODEL. The evolution of this system and its underlying concepts are described in the context of several building design problems to which it was applied.