Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 396

In addition, the use of techniques of virtual
reality on the development of these didactic ap-
plications is helpful to education improving the
efficiency of the models in the way it allows the
interactivity with the simulated environment of
each activity. The virtual model can be manipu-
lated interactively allowing the teacher or student
to monitor the physical evolution of the work and
the construction activities inherent in its progres-
sion. This type of model allows the participant to
interact in an intuitive manner with the 3D space,
to repeat the sequence or task until the desired
level of proficiency or skill has been achieved and
to perform in a safe environment. Therefore, this
new concept of VR technology applied to didactic
models brings new perspectives to the teaching of
subjects in Civil Engineering education.

The definition of the 3D model of an exterior
wall of a conventional building comprises: the
structural elements (foundations, columns and
beams), the vertical filler panels and two bay
elements (door and window). The selection of
elements and the degree of detail of the 3D model
configuration of each component had the support
of teachers and specialist in construction:

• The structural elements of the model were

created with parallelepipeds and were con-
nected according to their usual placement
in building works. Because this is an edu-
cational model, with the purpose of rep-
resenting the reality accurately, the steel
reinforcements were also defined. In the
model, the rods of the reinforcements are
shown as tubular components with circular
cross-section (Figure 4); VR model of the Wall

• The type of masonry selected corresponds

to an external wall formed by a double
panel of breezeblocks, 11cm wide with an
air cavity, 6cm wide. Complementary to
this, the vertical panels were modeled,
comprising: the thermal isolation plate
placed between the brick panels; the plas-
ter applied to the external surface of the
wall; the stucco applied on the internal sur-
face; two coats of paint both inside and out
and the stone slabs placed on the exterior
surface (Figure 5);

One of the developed applications corresponds to
the model of a masonry cavity wall, one of the
basic components of a standard construction. To
enable the visual simulation of the construction
of the wall, the geometric model generated is
composed of a set of elements, each representing
one component of the construction. Every element
was modeled with the AutoCAD system. Using the
EON Reality system (EON, 2008), a system based
on virtual reality technology, specific properties
were applied to the model of the wall in order to
obtain a virtual environment.

Figure 4. 3D models of the steel reinforcements of the structural elements