A connectionist approach to adaptive reasoning: An expert system to predict skid numbers

This project illustrates the neural network approach to constructing a fuzzy logic decision system. This technique employs an artificial neural network (ANN) to recognize the relationships that exit between the various inputs and outputs. An ANN is constructed based on the variables present in the application. The network is trained and tested. Various training methods are explored, some of which include auxiliary input and output columns. After successful testing, the ANN is exposed to new data and the results are grouped into fuzzy membership sets based membership evaluation rules. This data grouping forms the basis of a new ANN. The network is now trained and tested with the fuzzy membership data. New data is presented to the trained network and the results form the fuzzy implications. This approach is used to compute skid resistance values from G-analyst accelerometer readings on open grid bridge decks.