Expert system for wind-resistant residential construction

Residential construction frequently does not receive the engineering attention needed to comply with the wind load provisions of building codes. `Deemed-to-comply' standards provide prescriptive requirements for residential design. Unfortunately, these requirements are often difficult for the non-engineer designer to apply and interpret, and even harder for the building inspector to enforce. The following paper describes an expert system designed for use by both designers and building officials to ease adherence to, and enforcement of, the building codes. The PC-based system has a graphics interface that provides customized prescriptive requirements for one-and two-family homes that satisfies a specified building code and type of construction. The generated output is used by the designer to finalizing the construction drawings and by the building inspector to ensure code compliance.