Virtual reality (VR) - based intelligent tunneling information system

Since 1999, Geostructure Research Group of Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT) has been developing an expert system that is the third stage Intelligent Tunneling Information System, or ITIS (III) as a National Research Laboratory (NRL) Project in Korea. The objective of the research is to establish an advanced tunnel design/construction system which incorporates geological, geotechnical and construction information. In the paper, the authors describe a VR - based visualization technique, which enables us realistic 3-D perception of geological and geotechnical data. Furthermore, the VR-based prototype system is described and its potential is demonstrated through several case studies in Korea.