A cooperative engineering environment using virtual reality with sensory user interfaces for steel bridge erection

Abstract

In this research, a product model for representing steel girder bridges was developed, based on IFC of IAI. In order to control 3D objects in the CAD world effectively, first, a virtual reality (VR) CAD system was developed for engineering of steel girder bridges by using the developed product model, Java 3D, liquid crystal shutter glasses, infrared emitter unit, etc. Then, to improve the user interface, an electro-magnetic sensor system was added for controlling 3D objects in the virtual world. This system can be used for interference checking between moving girders and surrounding structures during erection. In order to enable multiple users to view the 3D bridge model from different locations and angles, a cooperative engineering environment was proposed. In this environment, each user wears a head mounted display (HMD) instead of liquid crystal shutter glasses. A prototype system is being developed for verification of the proposed methodology. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.