Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 401

Figure 12. Placing the initial pillars, movement of the advanced equipment, positioning of the closing
segment and concreting above the false work near the abutment

• Finally, the zone of the deck near the sup-

ports is constructed, using a false work
resting on the ground.

• Moving the form traveler on the rails, po-

sitioning it in the zone of the next segment
to be made;

• Concrete the segment.

The virtual model was programmed in order to
show correctly this sequence. For the simulation of
the first cantilever segment (in each span), the four
form travelers, the corresponding work platforms
and the formwork components are included in the
scenario. Once the first segments have been con-
creted, the construction of the cantilevered deck
takes place. In each phase, two pairs of segments
are defined. For each new segment the following
steps are established (Figure 13):

Moving the camera closer to the bridge model
and applying to it routes around the zone of interest,
the student, interacting with the virtual model, can
follow the sequence specifications and observing
the details of the configurations of the elements
involved (Figure 14).
In a real construction place of a bridge, for
security reasons, the student stays far from the
local were bridge is under construction, so they
cannot observe in detail the way of operation and
the progression of the construction. Interacting
with the model in class or using their personal
computers they better understand what is going
on there in the work place.

• Rising the form traveler;

• Moving the rails in the same direction as

the construction (relocating them on the
latest segment to have been concreted);

Figure 13. Movement of the advanced equipment