Preliminary investigation of a CFD-assisted virtual reality experience in engineering education

Abstract

Virtual reality has become a significant asset to diversify tools in the support of engineering education and training. The cognitive and behavioral advantages of virtual reality (VR) can help lecturers reduce entry barriers to concepts that students struggle with. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are imperative tools intensively utilized in the design and analysis of chemical engineering problems. Although CFD simulation tools can be directly applied in engineering education, they bring several challenges in the implementation and operation for both students and lecturers. In this study, to tackle these challenges, we developed the “Virtual Garage” as a taskcentered educational VR application with CFD simulations. The Virtual Garage is composed of a holistic immersive experience to educate students through a real-life engineering problem solved with CFD simulation data using a VR headset. The prototype is tested by graduate students (n=24). Participants assessed usability, user experience, task load and cybersickness via standard questionnaires together with self-reported questions and a semi-structured interview. Preliminary results reflect that the Virtual Garage is well-received by participants. We identify features that can further enhance the usability and user experience.