A hybrid reality environment and its application to the study of earthquake engineering

• Published in: Virtual reality : the journal of the Virtual Reality Society 2005-12, Vol.9 (1), p.17-33
• Main Authors: Hutchinson, Tara C., Kuester, Falko, Hsieh, Tung-Ju, Chadwick, Rebecca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earthquakes; Engineering; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 1359-4338; 1434-9957
• DOI: 10.1007/s10055-005-0001-7

Visualization can provide the much needed computer-assisted design and analysis environment to foster problem-based learning, while Virtual Reality (VR) can provide the environment for hands-on manipulation, stimulating interactive learning in engineering and the sciences. In this paper, an interactive 2D and 3D (hybrid) environment is described, which facilitates collaborative learning and research and utilizes techniques in visualization and VR, therefore enhancing the interpretation of physical problems within these fields. The environment described, termed VizClass, incorporates a specially designed lecture room and laboratory integrating both 2-D and 3-D spatial activities by coupling a series of interactive projection display boards (touch-sensitive whiteboards) and a semi-immersive 3D wall display. The environment is particularly appealing for studying critical, complex engineering problems, for example, where time-varying feature modifications and coupling between multiple modes of movement are occurring. This paper describes the hardware architecture designed for this new hybrid environment as well as an initial application within the environment to the study of a real case history building subjected to a variety of earthquakes. The example simulation uses field measured seismic data sources, and illustrations of simple visual paradigms to provide an enhanced understanding of the physical model, the damage accumulated by the model, and the association between the measured and observed data. A detailed evaluation survey was also conducted to determine the merits of the presented environment and the techniques implemented. Results substantiate the plausibility of using these techniques for more general, everyday users. Over 70% of the survey participants believed that the techniques implemented were valuable for engineers. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]