Intelligent assessment of tree damage to residential buildings

Abstract

States that trees often contribute to subsidence damage to low‐rise buildings, particularly in areas with shrinkable clay sub‐soils. Posits that engineers investigating subsidence cases have to determine the extent to which any trees in the vicinity of an afflicted property are contributing. Describes the approach adopted in the development of an object‐oriented knowledge‐based system which will, among other things, enable engineers to assess more accurately the influence of trees in such situations. Presents details of the implementation of objects, classes, sub‐classes, messages, and the concept of inheritance within the system, and the operation of the system demonstrated using hypothetical examples as well as a real test case. Discusses the benefits and problems of the adopted approach.