In Phase I, the reliability of expert systems for structural design with microcomputers will be evaluated, and recommendations will be made for improvements. Among the areas to be studies for this purpose are: the reliability of other expert design systems, self-explanatory and readily-modifiable software, and expert system generator. In Phase I the approach will be as follows: (1) List criteria for the reliability of structural design; (2) investigate in detail whether (and how) existing expert systems for structural design wiith micro-computers satisfy the criteria; (3) check other expert systems with the reliability criteria. If they satisfy the criteria, determine if their procedurers are applicable to structural design and microcomputers; (4) research the related fields of self-explanatory and readily-modifiable software; (5) review expert system generators and determine the feasibility and reliability of expert structural software so created; (6) develop preliminary recommendations for standards of reliability for expert systems for structural design with microcomputers; and (7) Identify areas requiring research in Phase II.
