1. DECivil WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) Alcínia Zita Sampaio Pedro Gameiro Henriques Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models Dep. of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Lisbon, PORTUGAL

2. DECivil 1 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models The virtual reality techniques can be used to develop educational applications: Virtual Reality techniques  The developed models visually simulate the construction process of two types of construction work;  Techniques of geometric modelling and virtual reality were used to defined the didactic models;  These models have been used to distinct advantage as educational aids in first-degree courses in Civil Eng.

3. DECivil 2 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models The applications developed are concerned with the construction of a cavity wall and a bridge. These models make it possible: Didactic models in construction area  to view the physical evolution of the work;  to follow the planned construction sequence;  to visualize details of the form of every component of the works;  To support the study of the type and method of operation of the equipment necessary in construction;  To prepare students to local visits.

4. DECivil 3 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models One of the applications developed corresponds to the model of a masonry cavity wall, one of the basic components of a standard construction. The cavity wall virtual model

5. DECivil 4 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models To enable the visual simulation of the construction, the 3D model is composed of a set of elements, each representing one component of the construction. The wall modelling process

6. DECivil 5 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models Through direct interaction with the model, it is possible both to monitor the progress of the construction process of the wall … Showing the construction process

7. DECivil 6 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models …and to access information relating to each element, namely, its composition and the phase of execution or assembly of the actual work. Access to construction information

8. DECivil 7 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models Included, under which virtual scene, is a bar showing the progress of the construction. Bar of the construction progress

9. DECivil 8 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models It is possible to highlight the component incorporated at each new phase and to examine it in detail. Highlight construction components

10. DECivil 9 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models In the model, the rods of each steel reinforcement are shown as tubular components with circular cross-section. The steel reinforcements

11. DECivil 10 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models During the animation, the student can observe the model using the most suitable presentation (exploding), camera and zoom positions for a correct perception of the details of the elements. Exploding presentation

12. DECivil 11 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models The second model created allows the visual simulation of the construction of a bridge using the cantilever method. Virtual model of a bridge

13. DECivil 12 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models The construction of the deck starts: The cantilever method  by applying concrete to a first segment on each pillar;  then proceeds with the symmetrical positioning of the segments starting from each pillar;  finally, the end segment.

14. DECivil 13 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models The models of the deck segments were created using a graphical system for bridges. Modelling the construction scenario  The pillars, the abutments, the scaffolding and the advanced equipment were modelled using the AutoCAD.

15. DECivil 14 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models Definition of the virtual construction sequence: The virtual construction animation  first segment on top of pillar  a form traveller is placed on each segment  the deck is defined symmetrically  the end segment is concreted  landscape  the deck near the supports is constructed.

16. DECivil 15 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

17. DECivil 16 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

18. DECivil 17 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

19. DECivil 18 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

20. DECivil 19 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

21. DECivil 20 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

22. DECivil 21 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

23. DECivil 22 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

24. DECivil 23 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

25. DECivil 24 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

26. DECivil 25 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

27. DECivil 26 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

28. DECivil 27 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

29. DECivil 28 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

30. DECivil 29 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

31. DECivil 30 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

32. DECivil 31 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

33. DECivil 32 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

34. DECivil 33 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

35. DECivil 34 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

36. DECivil 35 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

37. DECivil 36 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

38. DECivil 37 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

39. DECivil 38 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models

40. DECivil 39 WSCG 2008, 16th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision, Plzen (Czech Republic) February 4-7, 2008Visual simulation of Civil Engineering activities: Didactic virtual models –set in motion the construction sequence demanded by actual construction work; –observe the methodology applied; –analyse in detail every component of the work and the equipment needed to support the construction process; –observe how the different pieces of a construction element mesh with each other and become incorporated into the model. The technology of virtual reality was used in the elaboration of teaching material of educational interest in the area of construction processes (Civil Engineering). Conclusions The student can interact with the virtual model in such a way that he can: