Comparison of QPE and QSIM as Qualitative Reasoning Techniques

Abstract

Qualitative reasoning predicts and explains the behavior of physical systems using the system's structure through modeling and simulation. There are several approaches to qualitative reasoning. Two of the most prominent software implementations are QPE (Qualitative Process Engine) by Forbus and QSIM (Qualitative Simulation) by Kuipers. A comparison of the two systems is done on the basis of representation and reasoning ability of physical systems. The standard examples in qualitative reasoning and examples in fatigue and fracture in metals are used in the comparison. The fatigue and fracture domain of study can serve as a prototype for other related models of material behavior. A thorough comparison of QSIM and QPE identifies future directions of qualitative reasoning development.