Expert systems for geotechnical engineers

Geotechnical engineering is a field where experiential knowledge has no substitute. Making experts' knowledge explicit, and documenting and transferring it can have a great impact on the state of practice. The knowledge-based system approach seems particularly suitable for these characteristics and goals. PILE, an expert system designed to assist users in selecting the appropriate type of pile foundation, is presented. This is a forward-chaining system written in LISP. It includes explanation capabilities, handles uncertainty, and resolves conflicts in data memory. This system runs in a knowledge-rich environment including a soil data base and useful information specific to pile foundations. The paper provides a rationale for the application of knowledge-based systems in geotechnical engineering. It also discusses related issues that can help optimize the implementation and use of these new tools, both in instruction and practice.