Exploiting Visual Language Technologies in Structural Analysis

In this paper we propose a visual language based framework to effectively tackle the problem of software based structural analysis in different application domains. In particular, the framework includes grammar based parser generation modules to easily adapt structural analysis software packages to evolving standards of specific application domains. Moreover, it includes visual analytics paradigms to enhance the software based structural analysis processes. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed framework we have implemented some of its modules and instantiated them in the context of the evaluation of earthquake-resistant masonry buildings.