This page compiles the list of useful links and learning resources in the areas of building information authoring and analyses tools, game engines, virtual reality, augmented reality, and coding among others.
Virtual Construction Simulator 3
Understanding the dynamic nature of construction processes to inform essential decisions regarding resource utilization, management, sequencing, and project-related risks is critical for construction engineering students. In a project completed in 2011 (NSF Project #0935040), we developed the Virtual Construction Simulator (VCS), a construction-based engineering simulation game that provides an experiential learning environment for engineering students to explore effective construction planning by immersing themselves in a 3D building construction project. Compared to conventional methods for teaching construction sequencing, the VCS simulation game challenges students to dynamically manage project constraints, variability, and performance feedback to actively make decisions regarding construction methods, daily resource needs, and construction sequences; manage various tradeoffs in controlling project duration and cost; and observe the course and implications of these decisions over time.
Our initial results showed that through this simulation game, students are better equipped to discern between as-planned and as-built construction schedules that can vary broadly due to factors such as weather and labor productivity. We have also witnessed the merits of the VCS simulation game as a motivational and engaging learning tool for construction engineering education. Go here to download the game.
Our initial results showed that through this simulation game, students are better equipped to discern between as-planned and as-built construction schedules that can vary broadly due to factors such as weather and labor productivity. We have also witnessed the merits of the VCS simulation game as a motivational and engaging learning tool for construction engineering education. Go here to download the game.
BIM tools
Autodesk BIM curriculum, a series of video tutorials on BIM modeling, analyses and simulations
Bentley Microstation video tutorials and additional support and downloads for students on Bentley's website
Game engines
Unity 3D manual, scripting API and video tutorials
Workflows
Unity 3D to MiddleVR tutorials (by Dr. Max Mallia-Parffit)
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Coding
Learn to code HTML - a series of hands-on tasks to develop a page using HTML
Learn the VRML basics - a series of lectures for creating an interactive prototype using virtual reality modeling language