The Potential of Utilizing BIM Models With the WebGL Technology for Building Virtual Environments - A Web-Based Prototype Within the Virtual Hospital Field

Abstract

In 2011 a standard for 3D rendering in web browsers saw the light of day. The WebGL technology allows the browsers to utilize the hardware on the device to accomplish hardware accelerated graphics. As GPUs are constantly getting more powerful, both on desktops and mobile devices, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for developing complex web based 3D application. A large increase in the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry over the last decade means that there exist a large amount of 3D models of real buildings. The question is whether these models can be utilized for other purposes than building planning.

In this thesis a web based prototype was developed using the WebGL technology, with BIM models of a building at St. Olav's University Hospital in Trondheim as the foundation for the 3D scene. By testing the prototype on different platforms with a selection of different web browsers this thesis evaluates to which extent the technology is mature enough to apply complex BIM models in a game-like environment, and how it can be utilized in a virtual hospital context.