ABSTRACT
Abstract The paper reports on a study aimed at linking structural design with economic appraisal for tubular truss construction using knowledge-based systems' techniques. It uses accepted methods for design of members and joints in association with a simulation of the fabrication and construction. Use of this approach enables designers at the concept stage to accurately assess the relative worth of a number of structurally adequate though different designs and to select the most appropriate on objective criteria based on the practicality of actually producing the final product. Keywords: Economic Design, Tubular Trusses, Knowledge-based Systems, Fabrication Led Design, Construction Led Design.
