Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 408

• Presentation of the initial base shape; webpage for each discipline thus being available

for students to manipulate. The student should
download the EON Viewer application available
at http://download.eonreality.com.
The traditional way to present the curricular
subjects involved in those virtual models are 2D
layouts or pictures. Now, the teacher interacts with
the 3D models showing the sequence construction
and the constitution of the modeled type of work.
Essentially, the models are used to introduce new
subjects:

• Subdivision of this shape into two

polygons;

• Placement of the triangle representing the

slope value 2:3 next to one of the edges;

• Insertion of the triangles with 1:1 pitch in

normal positions for each of the edges;

• Introduction of the polygon of the appro-

priate elevation;

• Inclusion of the plane surfaces represent-

ing the 4 roof planes;

• Representation of the second of the two

blocks which make up the roof; • As in Technical Drawing, students have to

define and draw structural plants over the
architectural layouts, the virtual model of
the wall helps to explain the connection
between the architectural drawings and the
structural solutions needed to support the
building configuration. Some topics must
be assumed when choosing a structural so-
lution in order to minimize the unpleasant
visual appearance in the interior of a house
when structural elements (beams and col-
umns) are included in it. The students are
1 st year degree, so they have some diffi-
culty to understand the three-dimensional
localization of the structural elements and
how they must be concreted almost inside
the limits of the walls. The relationships
between the architectural configurations
and the structural elements in a building
are well explained following the exhibi-
tion of the virtual construction of the wall
(Figure 27).

• Intersection of the two roof blocks.

The model allows interaction with the building
process sequence enabling the user to backtrack
and manipulate the camera position and distance
in relation to the model. The final objective of this
model is to show the complete roof constructed
on a basis of the concepts of engineering drawing
applied to the plan drawing of that structure. The
intersection of the two blocks of the roof clearly
illustrates how roofs with more than four planes
must be executed (Figure 26).

LeARNINg ASPeCTS

The models are actually used in face-to-face
classes of disciplines of Civil Engineering curricu-
lum: Technical Drawing and Computer Assisted
Drawing (1 st year), Construction Process (4 th year)
and Bridges (5 th year). They were placed on the

Figure 26. Backtracking and different viewpoints