Virtual reality as a vehicle for education in the domain of structural building systems

In civil engineering, the ability to translate 2D building drawings to 3D models for structural building system analysis is a critical threshold concept. Virtual Reality (VR) technology may be able to address this challenge as existing studies have shown that VR produces positive learning outcomes and enhanced spatial skills. However, there is a limited amount of research on using VR to improve learning of 3D building structural load paths and analysis as well as civil engineering student comfort levels with VR in an educational setting. Therefore, the goals of this research were to: 1) assess the levels of comfort among students when VR technology is used as an educational tool, and 2) compare how the implementation of VR increases understanding of 3D structural engineering load path problems which are typically only represented in 2D. This research developed and implemented a structural analysis VR module for an undergraduate senior structural design course in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle was employed to inform the design of the study from an exploration phase to a guided walkthrough to a post-activity quiz to applying the learned knowledge to a course project. The results of the study demonstrated that students performed better when learning about building system loads in VR first and then learning via traditional 2D building drawings compared to vice versa. Also, students indicated being comfortable during their experience. Overall, the contribution of this research to the body of knowledge is the VR framework for assessment of improved student performance pertaining to the key structural engineering systems concept of load path.