GEOMETRIC MODELING REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Geometric modeling is a central issue in developing a data base to support integrated engineering design. Current approaches to modeling the geometry of structural assemblies have many drawbacks when applied to design. In this paper capabilities of current geometric modeling methods are reviewed and then compared with modeling needs of structural design. The comparison examines the modeling capabilities of engineering drawings, which are the primary means of geometric representation in current practice. It is found that engineering drawings use a concise description of geometry that can be modified much more easily than computer-based descriptions. Engineering drawings also decompose a geometric description in a manner analogous to normalization in data base theory. This decomposition allows for a "top-down" definition of geometry, which is much better suited to design than current computer methods, which use a "bottom-up" approach. An important goal for future research is to develop computer-based geometric modeling techniques that capture these capabilities. © 1990 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.