Soles. A knowledge-based soil liquefaction potential evaluation system

A prototype computer program, SOLES has been developed to evaluate the liquefaction potential of soil subjected to earthquake excitations. The program applies both rule-and algorithm-based techniques in its analyzing processes. A blackboard structure provides a global database to hold the data needed by and produced by the knowledge sources. The blackboard structure bridges gaps and resolves conflicts between different techniques in soil liquefaction potential evaluation and thus provides a more comprehensive synthesized solution. The knowledge encoded in SOLES is based on existing empirical correlations and probabilistic techniques utilizing a combination of laboratory and field data. This prototype serves as a basis for continued development of an expert system for evaluating soil liquefaction susceptibility. The program is developed for IBM or compatible personal computers and is written in Turbo-Prolog.