Abstract

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.