Absorb (4) using the equivalenceThus we can takeHere is a primitive inclusion, handled by adding whenever labels a node. For literal substitution-based TBox unfolding, introduce a fresh description logic concept and replace the primitive inclusion byThis preserves the original models after forgetting : any model of the primitive inclusion extends by taking , and any model of the new definition satisfies the primitive inclusion. The fresh name is important. Replacing by alone would incorrectly assert that every non- element is an element.
An initial split into an acyclic definition and the remaining general concept inclusions isThe definition of is suitable for TBox unfolding: its right-hand side does not depend on , and has only this defining left-hand side. The other displayed general concept inclusions do not initially have an atomic defined left-hand side. In particular, can be rewritten for TBox absorption, but is not already an atomic definition.
Use the substitution version of TBox unfolding from part (a), and abbreviateThe notation is the negation normal form of . The unfolded input description logic concept isFor the remaining TBox, turn each general concept inclusion into , and unfold all defined names. The global description logic concept to add at every generated node isIn the last line, negating gives . Both levels of universal restriction are needed.
Start the tableau algorithm for ALC with a root labelled and . Expand the logical conjunctions. For the disjunction from (2), choose . For the disjunction from (3), choose . Apart from the compound formulas already processed, the root label isThere is no existential restriction at , so no successor needs to be generated. In particular, creates a -successor only at an existing -successor; it creates no -successor itself. The branch is complete and has no tableau clash. There is : the open completion graph has only its root. The universal restrictions can have incompatible fillers without creating a tableau clash when there are no successors.
For comparison, choosing the other alternative from (2) creates an -successor . The root restriction puts in , giving a tableau clash immediately. That branch closes before direct blocking in description logic is needed. The figure records the processed formulas through the label and displays the decisive labels explicitly.
An open one-node completion and the closed alternative; neither branch contains a directly blocked node
. Details. A concrete model confirms the open branch:All three remaining general concept inclusions hold because their relevant -successor requirements are vacuous. The definition of and the disjointness condition hold as well. Thus .
