Modeling spatial constraints in conceptual database design of network applications

This paper describes the problems found in geographic databases design during the conceptual modeling of real world elements that are related by a network structure. It is believed that is possible to reach a better quality of the geographical data if spatial integrity constraints about the elements on a network are specified in a conceptual level. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to expand the UML-GeoFrame conceptual data model with specific constructors to allow modeling network elements, added by a formal specification of integrity constraints. The extension of the UML-GeoFrame data model includes the definition of stereotypes to allow an easier reading of the schema and the use of the Object Constraint Language (OCL) to a complementary specification of the spatial integrity constraints. An example of an electric power company diagram is used to illustrate the extension proposed.