|
Socrates
Interface
The Socrates expert system is developed as a stand-alone Microsoft
Windows application. The Socrates interface, shown below, will allow
the user to perform different types of consultations that include:
 |
Material selection |
|
Steel Evaluation |
|
Database search |
|
Inhibitor systems |
A typical Socrates consultation and the intuitive interface that
facilitates consultations is described here. There is a single view of
the program incorporating elements of a typical Windows graphical
interface from which the user accesses all system functionality. A
system consultation can begin by specifying data relevant to:
|
Application and Mechanical
Requirements |
|
Environmental Data to characterize
general corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and localized corrosion |
Based on the Data specified for the different parameters, the system
will display folders of different material classes that are applicable
for the current set of conditions.
Socrates interface incorporates many graphical tools to conveniently
access different types of functionality in Socrates. The Toolbar smart
Icons allow the user to access different functionality of the menus
through the icons. Just clicking on the icons will start a specific
process otherwise available through the menus. The Toolbar icons and
their functions are shown below:
The New File command allows the user to start a new Socrates
consultation. The user can simultaneously conduct up to nine (9)
consultations.
The Open File command allows the
user to open other stored consultations of Socrates. The default
extension for stored Socrates files is .soc. Opening a file will open
all the environment and application data
The Save File
command saves the current consultation to a file name provided by the
user. It also saves the current material and environment
configurations as well as the different severity ratings.
The Print File command will print a customized consultation
report. The system will confirm print settings prior to sending the
output file to the printer.
The Copy command
copies the data from the dialog box on to a clipboard which can be
accessed later.
The Cost command on the
toolbar allows the user to do cost evaluation of the project for a
particular steel.
The Steel command helps
in the evaluation of a steel. The dialog box similar to Figure 4 shows
up when the user clicks on this command button.
The
Alloys command gives the user access to the material
database in Socrates.
The Units command
allows the user with an option to work with either the SI units or the
English units. Clicking on this option toggles the units between these
two.
These functions can also be activated by accessing the
corresponding commands on the File Menu. Sample output from
Socrates consultation report is shown in Appendix
III.
|
Socrates
Interface