AI-Powered VR/AR Environments for Experiential Civil Engineering Education

Abstract

This paper explored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Extended Reality (XR) in civil engineering and education. In engineering site development, immersive technologies are increasingly used for safety simulations and virtual walkthroughs, allowing engineers to detect and resolve issues before construction begins. Given the complexity and urgency of civil engineering projects, AR and VR simulations enable engineers to test scenarios and refine repair strategies with precision. The paper also addresses challenges in implementing VR/AR, such as hardware requirements, training, and data management. Its central aim is to boost occupational efficiency and responsiveness in civil engineering education through a gamified Actor-Network Theory (ANT) model supported by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework. An adaptive federated cloud learning system was developed to examine AR/VR integration in civil engineering education and practice.