Model Checking and Theorem Proving
Kailiang Ji · HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · 2015
Model checking is a technique for automatically verifying correctness properties of finite systems. Normally, model checking tools enjoy two remarkable features: they are fully automatic and a counterexample will be produced if the system fails to satisfy the property. Deduction Modulo is a reformulation of Predicate Logic where some axioms—possibly all—are replaced by rewrite rules. The focus of this dissertation is to give anencoding of temporal properties expressed in CTL as first-order formulas, by translating the logical equivalence between temporal operators into rewrite rules. This way, proof-search algorithms designed for Deduction Modulo, such as Resolution Modulo or Tableaux Modulo, can be used to verify temporal properties of finite transition systems.To achieve the aim of solving model checking problems with an off-the-shelf automated theorem prover, three works are included in this dissertation. First, we address the graph traversal problems in model checking with automated theorem provers. As a preparationwork, we propose a way of encoding a graph as a formula such that the traversal of the graph corresponds to resolution steps. Then we present the way of translating model checking problems as proving first-order formulas in Deduction Modulo. The soundness and completeness of our method shows that solving CTL model checking problems with automated theorem provers is feasible. At last, based on the theoreticalbasis in the second work, we propose a symbolic model checking method. This method is implemented in iProver Modulo, which is a first-order theorem prover uses Polarized Resolution Modulo.