The problem of creating models of objects such as bridges
which are acted upon by a number of forces is
usually done using the mechanism of finite element
analysis. This is used to use complex mathematics
to model the pieces of a structure in a unified
manner, and creates a overall equation for its
performance. This however requires understanding
of the complex properities of each element and the
methods for combining them. A simpler approach can
be brought to this through the use of the EM
paradigm of agency and dependancy. This has been
demonstrated by the creation of agent based
software to model a bridge made of individual
blocks by modeling each block as an agent which
responds to the load on it and the support that it
can gain from its surroundings. This can be
expanded upon to create models of bridges which
consist of different geomentric relationships
through the consideration of rods as the key
building blocks of a bridge.
The intended target of the use of EM in this
situation is to contrast it with the complexity of
the conventional strategies for consideing this
problem, and to evaluate its effectiveness as a
modelling tool in this context. A secondary
objective of this project will be to consider the
model similarly to the block bridge model in terms
of its educational value in the context of it being
used in combination with teaching of basic
mechanics, stuck as forces, stresses and strains.
The model would also have relevance in situations
where the history of different styles of bridge
construction were being considered, as well as the
effects of the use of new materials as it would be
possible to redefine the properities of the
consitutent parts of the bridge.