This paper describes a first step towards the creation of intelligent objects for finite element analysis. The approach discusses a scheme to integrate rules in objects in order to create intelligent objects for use in object-oriented finite element programming. These intelligent objects will have a hybrid behavior: a procedural behavior characterized by the usual methods and a declarative behavior supported by associated rules. To achieve a seamless integration, the rules treated as methods must, firstly, follow the object-oriented paradigm (identity, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism), then their use has to be encapsulated in intelligent objects, but with an open blackboard architecture which permits knowledge sharing among objects. The proposed approach differs from the ones already proposed in the literature as both components i.e. the finite element application and the rule based expert system are based on the object-oriented paradigm which highly facilitates their cooperation. Finally, the approach is validated in a simple example illustrating an extension of state encapsulation.

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