Educational application of virtual reality in graphical simulation of the construction process of Chinese dougong

Abstract

The research described in this paper uses a state-of-the-art technique, known as virtual reality (VR), to recreate the complex structure and construction processes of dougong, a unique characteristic of ancient Chinese architecture, in an environment where users can interact with objects with a high degree of realism. Virtual reality has become a powerful tool in the field of education, as it enables students to examine digital assets in a virtual environment without relying on expensive props or compromising the safety of the students in an on-site demonstration. This gives students a more in-depth picture of dougong than in previous studies, multimedia system which connects 3-D models made in Autodesk 3DS Max with the Oculus Rift VR glass hardware system has been conducted as an example of the application of VR in engineering education to facilitate the learning of complex architecture and engineering. The authors believe that systems like this can be applied to both additional types of dougong and other, similarly sophisticated construction systems, which can help engineering students understand the structure and construction of these complex buildings and infrastructures.