Development of model-based fault-identification systems on microcomputers

The development of Model-Based Production-Rule Analysis Systems for the identification of faults in Engineering Systems is discussed. Model-Based systems address the modelling of devices based on knowledge about their structure and behavior in contrast to Rule-Based systems which use rules based solely on human expertise. The exposed methodology uses the Fault-Tree Analysis technique for problem representation to generate Goal-Trees simulating the behavior of system components. Application of the methodology to a Knowledge-Base for the identification of the dominant accident sequences, consequences, and recommended recovery and mitigation actions for a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) is demonstrated. The accident sequences were generated using probabilistic risk analysis methods and analyzed with the Transient Reactor Analysis Code (TRAC). The Analysis System uses a backward-chaining deduction-oriented antecedent-consequent logic. Typical case results are given, and the aspects of using the methodology for Fault-Identification are discussed.