Visual language and graph-based structures in conceptual design

The paper deals with using design knowledge encoded in a visual language and graph-based structures to support the conceptual phase of designing. The visual language is based on the design conceptualization and composed of design diagrams being configurations of geometric primitives. A symbolic representation of design structures in terms of objects specified by the conceptualization and relations between them is defined, and then mapped into diagrams by a given realization. Diagrams are automatically transformed into the corresponding graph-based data structures. The knowledge stored in the graph representations of diagrams is translated into first-order logic formulas which describe generated design configurations. A proposed logic-based reasoning mechanism allows the design supporting system to check the compatibility of designs with the given requirements and constraints. The approach is illustrated by examples of designing configurations of transmission truss towers.