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This paper explains the development stages of an expert system BES for the evaluation and selection of the building elements. The work covers all kinds of building elements that are available in building construction including retaining walls, foundations, external walls, internal walls, floors, external stairs, internal stairs, roofs, external chimneys, internal chimneys, windows, and external doors and internal doors. The selection is based on the importance of performance requirements of the building elements and their expected performances. The selection is achieved by SMART Methodology, and the expert system shell “Exsys Corvid” is used to construct the expert system. Use of computer and Internet with its advantages in handling vast amount of data makes the system widely applicable and a useful design aid for architects. The decision-making feature of the system provides a suitable selection among numerous alternatives. The paper explains the experience gained through the use of this method and discusses further development of the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Essential features of the investigation process of innovative building systems, which have been established on a performance-based approach, are clarified. In the absence of constrictive formal regulations and standards, this approach was applied in establishing requirements and criteria, which define a well-performing building system, and in detecting building systems’ faults. A unified procedure, based on Responses to generalized Loads, is presented. A distinction is made between the rejection of an innovation due to inherent performance violations that cannot be modified, its classification as of limited applicability due to inherent limited performance capabilities, and its acceptance as a generally adequate building system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]