Aerospace applications for case-based reasoning

Case-based reasoning (CBR) has been proposed as an expert system approach that may overcome a number of limitations of standard rule-based expert systems. A generic CBR shell that runs on a Zenith 386 PC with expanded memory has been developed. A case-based reasoning system uses innovative techniques in the storage and retrieval of data. Cases are retrieved via specified attributes, or characteristics of the case. Klein Associates has completed a CBR shell which allows fast retrieval of multiple cases from a large number of stored cases. The shell is named PROSPER (problem solving using prior experience and reasoning). Several applications are described: a project to estimate the survivability/vulnerability of underground concrete structures, a study showing the feasibility of using CBR to help aeronautical design engineers identify and retrieve prior designs, a project to use CBR to estimate cost and effort for manufacturing parts, and a study of the feasibility of using CBR to estimate manpower, personnel, and training (MPT) requirements for new systems early in preconcept design