Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 389

solutions. So practice and training in the real world
are important factors to achieve the required level
of competencies and collaboration between acad-
emy and industry can generate proper scenarios
for real practices. However, commonly there is
a misconnection between these parts due to the
fact that their interests and activities are different
(Juárez-Ramírez et al., 2009).
Actually, 3D models and VR technology has
been introduced into course presentation to aid both
the lectures and students. They offer students the
opportunity to visualize the engineering concepts
and processes they learn in the classroom. Gib-
bon, in Electrical Engineering, uses laboratories
containing operational amplifiers and a resonant
circuit, based in 3D modeling tools in order to a
better understood of the circuits issues presented
in the formal lectures (Gibbon, 2008) and M-
Jimenez uses a virtual laboratory, implemented
in Matlab, for the analysis of the uniform torsion
in beams, allowing the visualization of the physi-
cal phenomenon and achieving correct solutions
(Juárez-Ramírez et al., 2009). Other examples of
computer simulation and VR projects to aid in
the teaching of engineering students are remote
physics experiments (Ozvoldova et al., 2006),
simulation control testing (Su, Hu & Ciou, 2006)
and virtual laboratories (Safigianni & Pournaras,
2008). The application of VR in training, both
surgical (Perez et al., 2008) and laboratory (Bell
& Fogler, 2004), are references for models used
in professional instruction.
This chapter intends essentially to highlight
the new possibilities that the use of VR and 3D
modeling could bring to education. The text
describes the application of 3D geometric model-
ing and VR technologies in the development of
educational models in Civil Engineering domain.
The main objective of the practical application of
the models is to support class-based learning. In
addition, this kind of application constitutes an
important interactive didactic tool to be imple-
mented in e-learning platforms. The involvement
of virtual reality techniques in the development of

educational applications brings new perspectives
to Engineering education.

3D mODeLS IN eNgINeeRINg
/ ARCHITeCTURe ACTIVITY

At present, in carrying out a project in engineer-
ing or architecture, the use of graphic systems
and, in particular, those relating to 3D modeling,
makes a very positive contribution to improving
the transmission of rigorously correct technical
information and, in general, to the understanding
of spatial configurations. This means of expres-
sion surpasses a drawing, a picture or a diagram,
making the understanding of the real form more
intuitive (Sampaio & Henriques, 2008).

Architecture

Wherever we look, we see three-dimensional
shapes: buildings, furniture, plants, even people
themselves. The world around us is in three dimen-
sions: length, width and height. Drawings layouts
are created to represent the idea of these three di-
mensions. When we represent any object, we have
the choice of drawing it “flat” (drawing) or as a
“solid” (3D model). A floor plan is an example of
a two-dimensional representation of a house. The
results of the architectural design of a building are
usually several drawings, and lately they are often
complemented with 3D model. Architects create
3D models of houses, so their clients can more
clearly understand what the house will look like
when it is built. Often customers do not have the
technical skill and expertise to fully understand
the 3D space arrangement of the house or build-
ing, just by looking to 2D drawings.
However, the history of computers in design-
ing is very short when comparing to the evolution
of traditional designing based on drawings and
sketches by pencil and paper (Gero, 1985). The
development of ICT suggests the present and novel
Computer Aided-Design (CAD) programs have