Alcínia Zita Sampaio

3D virtual environment used to support lighting system management in a building

The main aim of the research project, which is in progress at the UTL, is to develop a virtual interactive model as a tool to support decisionmaking in the planning of construction maintenance and facilities management. The virtual model gives the capacity to allow the user to transmit, visually and interactively, information related to the components of a building, defined as a function of the time variable. In addition, the analysis of solutions for repair work/substitution and inherent cost are predicted, the results being obtained interactively and visualized in the virtual environment itself. The first component of the virtual prototype concerns the management of lamps in a lighting system. It was applied in a study case. The interactive application allows the examination of the physical model, visualizing, for each element modeled in 3D and linked to a database, the corresponding technical information concerned with the use of the material, calculated for different points in time during their life. The control of a lamp stock, the constant updating of lifetime information and the planning of periodical local inspections are attended on the prototype. This is an important mean of cooperation between collaborators involved in the building management.

A virtual environment tool applied to visualize construction processes

This communication describes a virtual reality technology application in the construction-training domain. A prototype was developed that serves as a didactic tool for civil engineering students of disciplines concerned with building construction. Geometric modeling and virtual reality techniques are used on the visual simulation of construction processes and to define user-friendly interfaces in order to access construction information, which could prove useful to civil engineering professionals. The construction of a double brick wall is the case studied. The wall is defined as a three-dimensional geometric model formed with the several components needed to construct it. Using the walls virtual model it is possible to show, in an interactive way, the sequence of the construction process and observe, from any point of view, the configurations in detail of the building components. This is a didactic application in the construction processes domain of great interest to civil engineering students

Interactive models used in Civil Engineering education based on virtual reality technology

This paper describes the application of virtual reality technology on the development of didactic models related to the construction activity and to the design of roofs. The models, showing construction processes, allow the visualization of the physical progression of the work following a planned construction sequence, the observation of details of the form of every component of the works and carry the study of the type and method of operation of the equipment applied in the construction. The roof model supports student to draw up plan drawings of roofs and the correspondent 3D model, tasks which relies on an understanding of the three-dimensional nature of the respective constructive process. The models present distinct advantage as educational aids in first-degree courses in Civil Engineering. The use of Virtual Reality techniques in the development of educational applications brings new perspectives to the teaching of subjects related to the field of civil construction.

The incremental launching method for educational virtual model

This paper describes the application of virtual reality technology to the development of an educational model related to the construction of a bridge. The model allow the visualization of the physical progression of the work following a planned construction sequence, the observation of details of the form of every component of the works and carry the study of the type and method of operation of the equipment applied in the construction. The model admit interaction and then some degree of collaboration between students and teachers in the analyses of aspects concerning geometric forms, working methodology or other technical issues observed using the application. The model presents distinct advantage as educational aids in first-degree courses in Civil Engineering.

Geometric modeling of box girder deck for integrated bridge graphical system

This paper presents a geometric modeling of box girder deck to automate deck design representations. A geometric methodology was developed and implemented in a computer program. This software allows the geometric description of the deck, using bridge design data usually given at the conceptual stage, and the automation of several drawings and three-dimensional (3D) models, defined accurately. Using traditional graphical system, the execution of deck specific drawings is extremely time-consuming, the 3D deck model gives an approximation only of the exterior shape of the deck and the 3D finite elements (FE) mesh generation software imposes geometric simplifications on the real configuration of the deck before discretization. The computer application provides an important tool to the bridge designer, particularly at the conceptual stage, as it allows aesthetic and structural evaluation of the bridge at an early stage in the design. The geometric modeling process and graphical results of a case-study are presented.

Collaborative BIM environment as a support to conflict analysis in building design

The reference to Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology includes the combination of a set of technologies related to the generation of the model and with the handling of a large amount of data. BIM supports the ability to promote a high level of interdisciplinary collaboration, desirable in the development and analysis of the project, contributing to achieve better productivity and quality in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. BIM tools support the process of geometric modeling based on parametric objects and advanced levels of 3D realistic visualization abilities, but additionally incorporate other capabilities, namely, conflict detection features. Created a 3D/BIM model, with information considered relevant, generated and added throughout the development of the project, an analysis of conflict detections concerning the overlap and the proximity of elements (inconsistency between specialty projects) can be applied. Current BIM tools admit the overlap of three disciplines, architecture, structures and systems and support the definition of each component by direct analysis of conflicts identified by the BIM-based tool with the issue of inconsistency. The modeler adjusts the modelling process to every conflict situation. The analyses of conflict detections concerning inconsistency between specialty projects, is described in the present text.

BIM Tools Used in Maintenance of Buildings and on Conflict Detection

The development of a building design requires the participation of several parties involved in different disciplines, and a efficient conflict analysis between disciplines is essential to guarantee a well-developed design. The building information modeling (BIM) methodology and tools associated with it present themselves as an excellent asset to support the process of conflict analysis, as they make it possible to merge all disciplines in an integrated virtual environment. In addition, a good maintenance depends on the analysis of the anomalies detected during the inspection of the site and the BIM model is a good tool on the support of maintenance activities, due to their ability to store enough information in one digital model. The aim of the research work was to implement the benefits provided by BIM on a software tool used as support to maintenance of buildings and to evaluate the practical capabilities of the BIM concept in the conflict analysis between building services, namely, the water supply and drainage systems design, and the architectural and structural design. This work contributes to demonstrate the advantages of BIM in the conciliation and coordination between different specialties, as well as the benefits of its application in maintenance activity.

Construction and Maintenance Planning Supported on Virtual Environments

The main aim of a research project (Sampaio and Gomes, 2011), now in progress at the Department of Civil Engineering of the Technical University of Lisbon, is to develop virtual models as tools to support decision-making in the planning of construction management and maintenance, PTDC/ ECM/67748/ 2006, Virtual Reality technology applied as a support tool to the planning of construction maintenance. A first prototype for the lighting system had already been completed (Sampaio et al., 2009). A second prototype concerning construction planning is now complete (Santos, 2010) and two Virtual Reality (VR) models concerning maintenance of the closure of interior (Rosario, 2011) and exterior (Gomes, 2010) walls are also finished. This chapter describes these three later models created as part of the overall research project.

Didactic Models in Civil Engineering Education: Virtual Simulation of Construction Works

Concerning educational tasks, the interaction allowed by three-dimensional (3D) geometric models could bring an end to passive learner attitudes which are often found in traditional academic teaching situations. In addition, Virtual Reality (VR) technology could be applied as a complement to 3D modelling, leading to better communication between the various stakeholders in the process, whether in training, in education or in professional practice. This role is particularly relevant to the presentation of processes which are defined through sequential stages as generally is the case in the learning of new curricular subjects. Besides this constant updating of training in the new graphic resources available to and in widespread and frequent use in professions in the fields of engineering or architecture, the school should also adapt its teaching activities to the new tools of visual communication. In fact, today, in practical subjects a variety of engineering software is used, but this requires skills and knowledge to develop economical and feasible solutions. Educational institutions can use communication technology to access information, as a form of collaboration and communication with teachers, or as a tool for conveying educational contents, as well as a means of online teaching. A communication platform allows participants to exchange information about specific domains and interact and learn cooperatively, therefore, an aspect that must be improved is the preparation of didactic materials to support teaching (Gomes & Caldeira, 2004). Today, 3D models and VR technology are used in engineering schools to aid both the lecturers and students. They offer students the opportunity to visualize the engineering concepts they learn in the classroom. Gibbon, in Electrical Engineering, uses laboratories containing operational amplifiers and a resonant circuit, based in 3D modelling tools in order to achieve a better understanding of circuit issues presented in formal lectures (Gibbon, 2008). Other examples of computer simulation and VR projects supporting the teaching of engineering students are remote physics experiments (Ozvoldova et al., 2006), simulation control testing (Su et al., 2006) and virtual laboratories (Safigianni & Pournaras, 2008). Techniques of 3D modelling and VR were applied to the development of models related to the construction process. The 3D models created to support rehabilitation design emerge as an important tool for the monitoring of anomalies in structures and to assist decisions based on the visual analyses of alternative solutions. Didactic interactive models showing

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Applications in an Education Context

Teaching Architecture and Civil Engineering requires a permanent updating of knowledge concerning procedures and technologies used in Construction industry. In this sense, the school should seek to adapt its curriculum to include innovative issues to support a better construction. The Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology involves the concept of information centralized in a unique geometric model and promotes collaboration between all participants. An important role of teaching is to organize actions to stimulate the insertion of new issues in school. The present report presents several uses of the 3D/BIM model, the main limitations found in the development a nD/BIM models and the most remarkable benefits of the BIM methodology when supporting multitasks, within an education context. Several examples of BIM applications developed by students as MSc researchers are described in detail: 2D/BIM technical drawing representations; conflict analysis based in a 3D/BIM model; coordination of construction project supported on a 3D/BIM model; structural analyses using 3D/BIM models; 4D/BIM model for construction planning; materials take-off supporting 5D/BIM models; energetic analyses based on 6D/BIM model; development of 7D/BIM model in maintenance activity. The concept of multiuse of the 3D/BIM model becomes very clear for students, from the development of different nD/BIM models. The objective is to add competitive skills in the training of future civil engineers.