Mobile augmented reality visualization and collaboration techniques for on-site finite element structural analysis

Abstract

In this paper, a mobile augmented reality (AR) framework for on-site finite element analysis (FEA) is proposed. The proposed framework is achieved using a client–server architecture. The performance of FEA relies on several important components, namely, computational power, visualization technique, and numerical analysis. AR renders intuitive computer-generated contents directly on a user’s surroundings. Integrating FEA with AR helps users through enhancing their perception and interaction with the engineering problems. Correct and effective visualization of these data using an AR platform can reduce the misinterpretation in spatial and logical aspects. Over the past decade, AR has undergone a transition from desktop to phablet computing. Mobile platforms enable user exploration of FEA results in situ. The client side uses a hybrid method to visualize FEA results in the mobile AR environment. In addition, a user can collaborate with other users by using the result sharing function. A prototype with basic functions has been built and a case study has been implemented to demonstrate the visualization method and evaluate the overall performance.