Keywords: graph representations, graph theory, knowledge transformation, structures, electronics, linkages.

The work reported in this paper is a part of a general approach providing a global perspective over various engineering systems. The approach is focused on developing global mathematical models, called Graph Representations and associating them with different engineering systems [1,2]. Once the engineering system is associated with a specific graph representation, design, analysis and other forms of engineering reasoning can be conducted solely upon the representation.

Graph representations are graphs augmented with additional mathematical laws and properties. Different sets of such properties yield different types of graph representations. Upon representing an engineering system with a graph representation, the mathematical properties of the representation map the laws underlying the physical behaviour of the system.

The correspondence between engineering systems and graph representations makes possible to transfer engineering knowledge to graph representations. Moreover, the knowledge embedded in graph representations can be transferred to the engineering systems. This ability is employed in the current paper to transfer knowledge, including theorems, methods and devices from various engineering fields to the field of structures.

Two general routes for transferring knowledge are considered throughout this paper: a method employing common graph representation and a method employing dual graph representations. In the first case the knowledge is transferred between two engineering domains having specific type of graph representation in common. In the second case, the knowledge is transferred between the engineering domains that are represented by two different graph representations related to one another through the mathematical duality relation [3,4].

Both techniques are demonstrated in the paper on a practical examples, of transferring engineering knowledge from different engineering domains to structures.

1

Shai O., "The Multidisciplinary Combinatorial Approach and its Applications in Engineering", Journal of AIEDAM - AI for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 15(2), 109-144, 2001. doi:10.1017/S0890060401152030

2

Shai O., "Transforming Engineering Problems through Graph Representations", Advanced Engineering Informatics, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 77 - 93, April, 2003. doi:10.1016/j.aei.2003.09.001

3

Swamy, M.N. and Thulasiraman K. "Graphs: Networks and Algorithms" John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1981.

4

Shai O., "The Duality Relation between Mechanisms and Trusses", Mechanism and Machine Theory, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 343-369, 2001. doi:10.1016/S0094-114X(00)00050-1

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