9309623 Lakmazaheri Engineering problems are modeled using linear and non-linear constraints. Automated reasoning about engineering problems, thus, requires reasoning about linear and non-linear constraints. Effective strategies for reasoning about linear constraints exist. The use of these strategies for engineering applications has been investigated by several researchers. However, automated reasoning about engineering problems which involve non-linear constrains has not yet been explored. This is mainly due to the lack of effective strategies for reasoning about non-linear constraints. Recently, Wu developed an effective approach for reasoning about non-linear constraints. The proposed investigation explore the use of Wu's method for reasoning about structural design problems in ways which have not been possible before.
