Serasim: A 3-d expert system for greenhouse design

Greenhouse construction projects need to consider local climate characteristics, production type in the greenhouse and materials used for the physical structure and glazing. A major share of commercial greenhouse manufacturers in Turkey produce turn-key greenhouse projects either using by trial and error method or imitating/reproducing greenhouse imported from other countries. Improperly designed projects may result in greenhouses having weak construction or more expensive structures due to using unnecessarily larger profiles which consequently cause a loss the profits for the growers. This study aims to contribute to the improvements and overcome the gaps in practice of greenhouse projects by designing a software for an expert system that utilises an accurate project considering the mandatory buildings standards of Turkish Standardisation Institute (TSE). The expert system, named SERASIM, has been developed within the framework of the present MSc. Thesis and enables calculating each part of the construction system of a gable roof glasshouse according to TSE standards. Besides calculations for statics, dynamics and strength as well estimating the bill of quantity, SERASIM can be utilised to determine the heating requirements and costs for selected locations and crops. SERASIM may also be used as a teaching tool for courses including greenhouse design, protected cultivation and greenhouse climatisation.