Virtual reality technology applied in engineering education

The usual academic and commercial CAD systems in construction design, only allow the visualization of the final stage of the project, namely, as building three-dimensional (3D) models and walk-through (by its inside and outside). Current computer tools and models are not able to follow changes in the geometry of a building or structure during the construction process. A Virtual Reality technology application in the construction-training domain is described. A prototype was developed. It serves as a didactic tool for civil engineering students of disciplines concerned with building's construction. Geometric Modelling and Virtual Reality techniques are used on the visual simulation of construction processes and to define user-friendly interfaces in order to access construction information, which could prove useful to civil engineering professionals. The construction of a double brick wall is the case studied. The wall is defined as a 3D geometric model formed with the several components needed to construct it. Using the wall's virtual model it is possible to show, in an interactive way, the sequence of the construction process and observe, from any point of view, the configurations in detail of the building components. This is a didactic application in the construction processes domain of great interest to civil engineering students. So, using the developed virtual model, allows students to learn about construction planning of a specific situation in the space provided by the virtual environment. This communication is then oriented to teaching construction techniques by means of virtual environments. It is expected that the implementation of the prototype will be able to contribute to support teaching disciplines concerned with Civil Engineering. Another objective in creating these kind of virtual applications is to show in which way new technologies afford fresh perspectives for the development of new tools in the training of construction processes.

Three-dimensional geometric models have been used to present architectural and engineering works, showing their final configuration. But, when the clarification of a detail or the constitution of a construction step in needed, these models are not appropriate because they do not allow the observation of the construction activity. Models that could present dynamically changes of the building geometry are a good support on education in civil engineering domain. Techniques of geometric modelling and virtual reality were used to obtain interactive models that could visually simulate the construction activity. The applications explain the construction work of a cavity wall and a bridge. The models present distinct advantage as educational aids in first-degree courses in Civil Engineering. The use of Virtual Reality techniques in the development of educational applications brings new perspectives to the teaching of subjects related to the field of civil construction.

Three-dimensional geometric models have been used to present architectural and engineering works, showing their final configuration. But, when the clarification of a detail or the constitution of a construction step in needed, these models are not appropriate because they do not allow the observation of the construction activity. Models that could present dynamically changes of the building geometry are a good support on education in civil engineering domain. Techniques of geometric modelling and virtual reality were used to obtain interactive models that could visually simulate the construction activity. The applications explain the construction work of a cavity wall and a bridge. These models allow the visualization of the physical progression of the work following a planned construction sequence, the observation of details of the form of every component of the works and support the study of the type and method of operation of the equipment applied in the construction. The models ...

Normally, three-dimensional geometric models, which are used to present architectural and engineering works, show only their final form, not allowing the observation of their physical evolution. In the present study, two engineering construction work models were created, from which it was possible to obtain three-dimensional models corresponding to different states of their form, simulating distinct stages in their construction. The use of techniques of virtual reality in the development of these educational applications brings new perspectives to the teaching of subjects in the area of civil engineering.

Besides the constant updating of training in the new graphic resources available to engineering and architecture professions, and in widespread and frequent use, the school should also adapt its teaching activities to the new tools of visual communication. In Civil Engineering, the capacity to visualise the construction, management and maintenance of buildings can be added through the use of three‐dimensional (3D) models which, facilitate the interpretation and understanding of target elements of maintenance and construction and of 4D models (3D + time) through which the evolution of construction steps and deterioration of materials can be visually demonstrated and understood. Furthermore, the possibility of interaction with the geometric models can be provided through the use of Virtual Technology (VR). The text presents diverse perspectives of introduction a new technology in school. It can be used as a tool to create didactic applications and as a new issue in the training of students. The students involved, in the research works had to learn advanced software of geometric modelling and visualization and to explore the capacities of a VR technology system. Also programming skills had to be adapted to establish the integration needed for the creation of virtual prototypes. Furthermore, the structure of different kind of databases had to be studied and implemented, integrating diverse type of information, needed to develop the interactive virtual model. The VR technology was introduced in school in order to prepare civil engineering students to consider this knowledge as an important support, later in professional activity, and also to facilitate the link between, engineering theory and its implementation.

Normally, academic applications of computer-aided design in construction provide a visual presentation of the final state of the project and they are not able to produce changes in the geometry following the construction process. It was developed a didactic prototype that allows physical changes in a building component. This prototype illustrates the construction of a common external wall. First, a 3D geometric model composed with the several elements needed to construct it was defined and, then, virtual reality capacities were applied over it. The virtual model allows students to interact with it visualising the sequence of the construction process, accessing to quantitative and qualitative information of each construction stage, observing the configuration details of the building components and how they connect together. The didactic application contributes to support disciplines concerning with Civil Engineering.

The Open Virtual Reality Journal, 2010

Where educational validity is concerned, a school of engineering can reasonably be expected to constantly update computational resources in frequent use in the professions. Virtual Reality (VR) technology could be applied as a complement to three-dimensional (3D) modelling, leading to better communication whether in vocational training, in education or in professional practice. Techniques of 3D modelling and VR were applied to the development of models related to the construction process. The 3D models created to support rehabilitation design emerge as an important tool for the monitoring of anomalies in structures and to assist decisions based on the visual analyses of alternative solutions. The VR model created to help the management of lighting systems in buildings allows the visual and interactive transmission of information related to the physical behaviour of the elements, defined as a function of the time variable. Didactic interactive models showing construction works were also developed. These applications allow the visual simulation of the physical progression of each type of work and also assist in the study of the necessary equipment needed and how it functions on site. The introduction of CAD and VR techniques in school is helpful to students in order to prepare them to consider these technologies as important supports, later in their professional practice.

Automation in Construction, 2010

Where educational validity is concerned, a school of engineering can reasonably be expected to constantly update computational resources in frequent use in the professions. Virtual reality (VR) technology could be applied as a complement to three-dimensional (3D) modelling, leading to better communication whether in vocational training, in education or in professional practice. Techniques of 3D modelling and VR were applied to the development of models related to the construction process. The 3D models created to support rehabilitation design emerge as an important tool for the monitoring of anomalies in structures and to assist decisions based on the visual analyses of alternative solutions. The VR model created to help the management of lighting systems in buildings allows the visual and interactive transmission of information related to the physical behaviour of the elements, defined as a function of the time variable. Didactic interactive models showing construction works were also developed. These applications allow the visual simulation of the physical progression of each type of work and also assist in the study of the necessary equipment needed and how it functions on site. The introduction of CAD and VR techniques in school is helpful to students in order to prepare them to consider these technologies as important supports, later in their professional practice.

The interaction allowed by Virtual Reality (VR) technology, as a complement to 3D modeling, could make an end to passive attitudes of learners as an opposition to traditional teaching systems, leading to a better communication between teacher and student. VR technology was applied on the development of a didactic model concerning the construction process of bridges. The VR application allows the visual simulation of the physical progression of the work and the method of operation of the equipment applied in it. This text describes the modeling and programing processes concerning the virtual simulation the construction work of a bridge deck formed of precast beams.

2013 2nd Experiment@ International Conference (exp.at'13), 2013

The interaction allowed by Virtual Reality (VR) technology, as a complement to 3D modeling, could make an end to passive attitudes of learners as an opposition to traditional teaching systems, leading to a better communication between teacher and student. VR technology was applied on the development of a didactic model concerning the construction process of bridges. The VR application allows the visual simulation of the physical progression of the work and the method of operation of the equipment applied in it. This text describes the modeling and programing processes concerning the virtual simulation of the construction work of a bridge deck formed of precast beams.