VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) MODEL FOR FLOOD PROTECTION SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION USING HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Abstract

The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, Ministry of Interior, is responsible for a flood protection construction project in Chumphon Province, Thailand. The project requires nighttime operations under constraints of limited space and time, as well as risks related to accidents and impacts on road users and the public. Virtual Reality (VR) technology offers the capability to simulate construction environments realistically, thereby supporting planning and operations while reducing risks associated with delays and accidents. This research aims to develop a Virtual Reality (VR) model for flood protection construction using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and to evaluate the suitability of different modeling approaches using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Four types of models were compared in this study. Data were collected from 30 experts, including executives, designers, project coordinators, and operational staff. The results indicate that the key factors influencing model selection are applicability, personnel capability, organizational factors, and software and computer systems, respectively. The most suitable approach was found to be the integration of 3D modeling and VR, VR, combination of 2D and 3D models and 2D models. The findings suggest that the developed VR model can be effectively applied to enhance construction planning and management, improving both safety and operational efficiency in flood protection projects.

Keywords: Virtual Reality Model, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), Flood Protection System, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)