2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The research described in this paper uses a state-of-the-art technique, 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, and at the same time enables an immersive experience when exploring this virtual world.

The basis of the VR environment used in this study is a comprehensive, complete and accurate 3-D graphical database of Chinese dougong, in which students can examine the complex structures and construction processes via multiple methods: 1) static images, such as 3-D graphical models, multi-view engineering drawings, exploded views and illustrations; 2) dynamics videos, such as animation clips of assembly procedures; and 3) VR interactivity, such as simulations constructing and deconstructing the virtual dougong models in the VR environment. All of these graphical and video elements, VR environments, event sequences and hierarchies were compiled and integrated into a knowledge-based system known as the Intelligent Dougong System with Virtual Reality (IDSVR), a multimedia learning platform designed to introduce dougong knowledge to college students or public audiences by combining the perspectives of engineering, history, architecture, culture, archaeology and construction.

All the tasks of this research follow a graphical production pipeline which consists of four stages: initial modeling, establishing the VR environment, VR production, and dissemination. In the initial modeling stage, all of the basic 3-D models of the dougong components, connections and assembly parts were created using Autodesk Inventor. Based on these models, multiple presentation methods of dougong construction process details and example structure were then conducted with Autodesk 3DS MAX and virtual simulations using the Oculus Rift. It is hoped that this multimedia system can be used as an example of the application of VR in engineering education to facilitate the learning of complex architecture and engineering, and 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.