Focus
This work focuses on modeling reinforced concrete cantilever retaining walls as an integrated structural–geotechnical system, capturing their components, materials, loads, and soil interactions within a formal ontology.
Objective
The objective was to create a logically consistent knowledge model that supports design comparison, consistency checking, and interdisciplinary data integration between structural and geotechnical engineering domains.
Method
The ontology was created following description logic principles and implemented in Protégé. Core wall components, loads, soil types, and material properties were represented through structured class hierarchies and object properties. Design alternatives were instantiated to demonstrate how reasoning mechanisms can identify missing components, incompatible materials, or changes in soil conditions.
Outcome & Relevance
The resulting ontology enables automated verification of design completeness and supports adaptive decision-making under changing site conditions. It illustrates how formal knowledge representation can reduce modeling errors and improve the reliability of digital design workflows in civil infrastructure projects.