Project E-5B, "Virtual Reality Demonstrations," is a multidisciplinary project of the Mid-America Earthquake Center under development at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The co-investigators are Brad Cross, a civil engineering professor, and Scott Smith, a member of the electrical engineering faculty.
The browser screen
Project E-5B, "Virtual Reality Demonstrations," is a multidisciplinary project of the Mid-America Earthquake Center under development at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The co-investigators are Brad Cross, a civil engineering professor, and Scott Smith, a member of the electrical engineering faculty.
The visualization project is implemented using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and Java as a web-based application. VRML is a multiplatform language similar to HTML for publishing web pages. Three-dimensional VRML technology allows users to move in and about the various buildings and view damage and retrofits from all angles. The only requirements for viewing and interacting with this project are an internet connection, a web-browser and a free VRML plug-in installed on the browser.
In addition to the web-based 3d experience, the project can also be demonstrated on large scale interactive screens, such as the six-sided "Cube" at NCSA or a portable Smart Board. Large-scale room-sized environments allow users to visually experience near life-sized earthquakes, virtually move through full-scale buildings, and interactively retrofit different portions of structures to see their effects instantly on structural response.
The building types that are displayed as VRML retrofit demonstration structures are unreinforced masonry (URM), concrete, timber, and steel. The user will have the option of taking an automated audio-guided tour through the buildings or stepping through a self-guided tour. Users choose the level of earthquake to occur and have the option to retrofit various items before the next earthquake. Users will also be responsible for fixing all damage to the building after an earthquake occurs, and suggesting appropriate retrofit procedures.
A text box explains the damage seen for the chosen level of earthquake as well as reminders to retrofit certain items that did not withstand the last earthquake. Additional web pages, some with more detailed three-dimensional images, are also available by clicking within the building or on parts of the building itself.
Techniques to retrofit buildings and nonstructural items are shown in the VRML model. In some cases, there may be more than one method to retrofit a particular item. In this case, the user will be allowed to choose from several retrofit techniques, and view their effects on the structure during increasingly severe earthquakes. The model has also been developed so that for some retrofits, the user may click on the retrofit and a more detailed version will be brought up in another browser window.
The timber building VRML model is currently under development in collaboration with a real-world retrofit demonstration project, sponsored by NEHRP, State Farm Insurance, and the MAE Center. Gary Patterson of the University of Memphis is the principal investigator on a project to design and construct retrofit details in a local house. The SIU-Edwardsville team is working with him to show the house and the retrofit details using VRML.
It is hoped that these virtual reality models will heighten awareness of possible injury and damage sustained during earthquakes. This project will help people to better understand not only earthquakes but also the importance of retrofitting.
The "work-in-progress" project models have been demonstrated at the St. Louis Science Center during Missouri Earthquake Awareness Week on February 2, 2002 on a 6 foot by 4 foot touch-sensitive screen, as well as several engineering open houses. Both young and old users have been delighted by the chance to interact with a structure and see it perform during an earthquake.
The project has been an excellent educational opportunity for undergraduates as well as graduate students. The project team has two undergraduate research assistants, and two current graduate students started as undergraduates last year on the project.
The project development web page can be found at www.ce.siue.edu/earthquake. The project is due to be complete by the end of December, 2002, at which time all four buildings should be fully developed and interactive.
The visualization project is implemented using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and Java as a web-based application. VRML is a multiplatform language similar to HTML for publishing web pages. Three-dimensional VRML technology allows users to move in and about the various buildings and view damage and retrofits from all angles. The only requirements for viewing and interacting with this project are an internet connection, a web-browser and a free VRML plug-in installed on the browser.
In addition to the web-based 3d experience, the project can also be demonstrated on large scale interactive screens, such as the six-sided "Cube" at NCSA or a portable Smart Board. Large-scale room-sized environments allow users to visually experience near life-sized earthquakes, virtually move through full-scale buildings, and interactively retrofit different portions of structures to see their effects instantly on structural response.
The building types that are displayed as VRML retrofit demonstration structures are unreinforced masonry (URM), concrete, timber, and steel. The user will have the option of taking an automated audio-guided tour through the buildings or stepping through a self-guided tour. Users choose the level of earthquake to occur and have the option to retrofit various items before the next earthquake. Users will also be responsible for fixing all damage to the building after an earthquake occurs, and suggesting appropriate retrofit procedures.
A text box explains the damage seen for the chosen level of earthquake as well as reminders to retrofit certain items that did not withstand the last earthquake. Additional web pages, some with more detailed three-dimensional images, are also available by clicking within the building or on parts of the building itself.
Techniques to retrofit buildings and nonstructural items are shown in the VRML model. In some cases, there may be more than one method to retrofit a particular item. In this case, the user will be allowed to choose from several retrofit techniques, and view their effects on the structure during increasingly severe earthquakes. The model has also been developed so that for some retrofits, the user may click on the retrofit and a more detailed version will be brought up in another browser window.
The timber building VRML model is currently under development in collaboration with a real-world retrofit demonstration project, sponsored by NEHRP, State Farm Insurance, and the MAE Center. Gary Patterson of the University of Memphis is the principal investigator on a project to design and construct retrofit details in a local house. The SIU-Edwardsville team is working with him to show the house and the retrofit details using VRML.
It is hoped that these virtual reality models will heighten awareness of possible injury and damage sustained during earthquakes. This project will help people to better understand not only earthquakes but also the importance of retrofitting.
The "work-in-progress" project models have been demonstrated at the St. Louis Science Center during Missouri Earthquake Awareness Week on February 2, 2002 on a 6 foot by 4 foot touch-sensitive screen, as well as several engineering open houses. Both young and old users have been delighted by the chance to interact with a structure and see it perform during an earthquake.
The project has been an excellent educational opportunity for undergraduates as well as graduate students. The project team has two undergraduate research assistants, and two current graduate students started as undergraduates last year on the project.
The project development web page can be found at www.ce.siue.edu/earthquake. The project is due to be complete by the end of December, 2002, at which time all four buildings should be fully developed and interactive.
