On graphs in conceptual engineering design

This paper deals with the subject of knowledge-based computer aided design. A novel method, giving additional support for conceptual design, is presented. Using this method, a designer first specifies the functional requirements and the structure of the object to be designed, based on use cases and function graphs. A prototype design is then derived from these requirements. Subsequently, the designer checks the fulfilment of certain consistency rules and engineering norms by the application of a constraint checker. This checker uses background knowledge stored in graph structures and the reasoning mechanism provided by the graph rewriting system PROGRES. An example of designing a swimming pool illustrates the proposed methodology.