On theoretical backgrounds of CAD

Abstract

In the past. some information technologies (IT) have quickly been adopted by the eng i-neering practice while the implementation of others has been slower. In the paper, the author looks for a solid theoretical background that could be used to explain this difference and warn about po s-sible obstacles in applying some technologies to civil and structural engineering. The prevailing theoretical background for the contemporary development in computer aided design is the ratio n-aiistic philosophical tradition, which claims that intelligent human behavior is based on mental manipulation of symbolic representations of the real world; that problem solving is a search in a space of potential solutions and that communication is exchange of information. This tradition has been challenged by a theory referred to as "hermeneutic constructivism", that claims that the r a-tionalistic premises are wrong and suggests an alternative philosophical background for the use of computers. The author confronts the two theories and discusses their impact on the use of inform a-tion technolo~ in construction. He finds that the new theory can clarify some of the problems we face in current CAD research, as well justify, some optimistic expectations of the approaches that avoid complex representations of data. activities and knowledge.