SADDLE: A computer-aided structural analysis and dynamic design language-part II. database management system

The SADDLE program is a tool for computer-aided optimal design of structural and mechanical systems. The system is divided into four parts; the pre-processor, the "analyzer", the "synthesizer" and the post-processor. The structural model and the design data are generated by the preprocessor. The analyzer used the finite-element method to compute deflections and stresses in the structure. The synthesizer solves the design problem that is cast into a nonlinear programming format. The post-processor is used to examine the analysis and design results. Different parts of the system interact via a global database. The database management system is presented in detail, in this part of a two part paper. The data manager has three distinct parts: the data model processor, the resource manager and the I/O manager. Both the relational and hierarchical data models are supported. Tuning parameters are provided to enhance computational efficiency on different computers. The emphasis is on friendlier user-system interaction; free-format input, error recoveries, and easy means to create, edit, and update information.