An Augmented Reality Environment for Students' Learning of Steel Connection Behavior

To help undergraduate students visualize stresses, deformation, and limit states for each steel connection type we have designed and developed an augmented reality (AR) interactive learning environment in which holographic images illustrating the connection behavior are overlaid on physical models of the 48 steel connection types. The physical models of the 48 connection types were produced by 3D printing a previously developed virtual model of the steel sculpture. Students apply forces to the connections, and observe the stresses in the connection, the deformations such as deflections, rotation, and curvatures, and the limit states-all without a mouse, joystick, smartphone or tablet device. Findings from an initial study with undergraduate students support the usability and usefulness of the AR environment.