Gaming Perspective Based Visual Interactive Simulation for Validation of Simulated Construction Operations

Validating simulation models requires rigorous testing to establish the accuracy to which the real world operation under study is captured by the model. This exercise, in large part, requires learning about the simulated world. Computer games, a type of virtual reality environment, are capable of being effective learning tools because gamers are capable of understanding the underlying simulated world based on the game's reactions to their actions. The gaming perspective can be extended for model validation. This paper describes how game-like simulation systems can significantly expand the nature and extent of model testing during validation, and the challenges faced in enabling such systems for construction. Specifically discussed are the challenges in developing virtual reality environments based on current 3D animation technology to establish user interaction with underlying discrete-event simulation models. This paper concludes with a brief overview of the related work completed and in progress by the authors.