A virtual reality based fire training simulator integrated with fire dynamics data
VR (virtual reality)-based fire simulators provide the general public or inexperienced firefighters or commanders with wide-ranging second-hand experience so that they can make prompt decisions and safe and organized responses in actual fire situations. In order to effectively achieve this goal, it is crucial to reliably express fire dynamics as realistic graphics. In the field of engineering, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is widely used to precisely predict the behaviors of fluid phenomena. The resultant data, however, have structures and capacities that are not readily applied to real-time virtual reality systems. This study proposes a series of data conversion techniques and a real-time processing framework to develop a fire training simulator on the basis of a precise CFD simulation that is capable of calculating various invisible physical quantities such as toxic gases and heat as well as visible factors such as smoke and flame. By exploiting safety level-based visualization mapping, this study also proposes a new method to intuitively experience dangerous fire environments and perform training and . Lastly, this study implements a simulator that can undertake simple firefighting activities such as evacuation and rescue in fire situations at road tunnels; the functions and real-time performance of the simulator have been experimentally measured to verify the applicability of the proposed framework.
SimulationData conversion techniques and a real-time processing framework to develop a fire simulator on the basis of a precise CFD simulation that is capable of calculating various invisible physical quantities such as toxic gases and heat as well as visible factors such as smoke and flame.
SimulationAlso is noted in the paper:Through a number of user tests involving real fire fighters, it was possible to conduct a simple VR based fire course (n.a. how the users were involved) pg 20
Performance
Fire system structure:Fire and logicFire environment resourcesInterface devices between human and computerFirat training simulator
Simulation: Simple missions assigned to a trainee involve approaching the fire source to identify the accident, finding a fire hydrant, re-approaching the fire source to conduct firefighting activities, and finding nearby victims for rescue and evacuation
Propose a framework for interfacing reliable three-dimensional CFD simula tion results into real-time virtual reality systems so that they can be utilized in the development of similar, engineering-based simulators.
The frame rate is the main indicator for real-time performance of a visualization system; however, it often can vary depending on the number and size of visible objects.Users can experience pre-simulated fire phenomena caused by heat transfer or ventilation facilities from different viewing angles in real-time, but cannot interact with fire or smoke directly by means of user inputs such as extinguishing the fire. This is an important limitation for a application.
The performance and functions of the system have been verified through simulator implementation and experimentation. The fire CFD data, in particular, contain data on toxic gases and heat, which have direct impacts on fire responses and rescue activities, and thus realistic visualization and experience of these data have helped further improve the effects of the fire and provide useful knowledge to the inexperienced users.
Simulation / development of VR This study first designed a fire simulator system that can perform fire using virtual realityObjective: Training for general public, firefighters and firefighting commanders to experience road tunnel fires and evaluate safety levels (with a virtual reality based fire training simulator). A vehicular accident occurring in Jukryeong Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in South Korea with a total length of 4.6 km, was selected for simulation
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