Quantification of prototype designs into conceptual designs enable structural and parameteric adaptation and optimisation. Prototype selection is performed by constraint-based reasoning. Concept selection is the quantification of prototypes by reusing example designs and design parts. Concept selection is performed by case-based reasoning. Concept modification is necessary to repair or improve concept behaviour by heuristics and numerical optimisation.
Heuristic modification is performed by rule-based reasoning.
Research has emphasised modelling and representation of design knowledge, design tasks and integration of inference mechanisms. The application is the design of fibre reinforced composite sandwich panels, which involves simultaneous design of panel material and strongly interacting components. Efficiency of the framework is shown by the considerable reduction in design analyses compared to only numerical design support.