Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 409

• In the discipline of Construction Process,

in order to prepare students to visit real
work places, the teacher shows the con-
struction animation and explains some
subjects of the construction process of the
wall. Namely, the way the net of irons is
defined inside a beam or a column and spe-
cially the complexity of the relationship
between the distinct types of irons near the
zone where the structural elements connect
each other (Figure 28). In order to clearly
explain this issue related to the structural
elements, the iron nets were created as 3D
models with distinct colors, and they ap-
pear on the virtual scenario following a
specific planned schedule. The type, se-
quence and thickness of each vertical panel
that composes a cavity wall are well pre-
sented in the virtual model showing step by

step the relationship between each other
(Figure 28). The configuration detail of
each element of a complete wall can be
clearly observed manipulating the virtual
environment of the construction;

• The construction models of the deck bridg-

es particularly shows the complexity asso-
ciated to the construction work of the deck.
Both models also illustrate in detail the
movement of the equipment. In class, the
teacher must explain way the process must
follow both sequence of steps and the way
the equipment devices operates (Figure
29). When the student, of the 5 th year, goes
to a real work place he can observe the
complexity of the work and better under-
stand the progression of construction pre-
viously explained;

Figure 27. The relationships between the architectural and the structural elements in a wall

Figure 28. Complex relationship between reinforcements in the joint zones of the structural elements
and the sequence of the vertical panels