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User Guide (Basics)

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KFC edited this page Apr 25, 2025 · 1 revision

Please Note: This is an early beta. You may encounter performance issues, incomplete features, or occasional bugs. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Launching the Application

After landing on the main website, click the "Launch App" button. This will load the main simulation interface in your browser.

Display/Scaling: The application window size adapts to your browser. If the display appears too small or too large, try entering or exiting fullscreen mode in your browser (often the F11 key).

Core Workflow: Importing Your Model

The first step is to load your 3D structural model (currently supporting the OBJ format).

  1. From the Main Menu, click the Import button.
  2. A file dialog box will appear. Select your .obj model file. Click "Open" or similar.
  3. A second file dialog box will appear. Select the corresponding .mtl material file that came with your .obj model. It should have the same name as the .obj file (e.g., building.obj and building.mtl). Click "Open".

(Note: The application will then process the model, including scaling and material identification. You will be transitioned to the 3D viewing space.)

Material Mapping

After importing the model and its materials, you will be presented with the Material Mapper UI.

  • This panel lists the material names found in your imported .mtl file.
  • For each imported material, use the dropdown menu next to it to select a corresponding "Real World Material" (Aggregate Type) from the available options (e.g., Carbonate Concrete, Siliceous Concrete, etc.). This step is crucial for the ACI calculations.
  • Once you have mapped all necessary materials, click the "Confirm Mappings" button.

(Note: Mapping confirms the link between your 3D model's visual appearance and the physical/thermal properties required for the ACI simulation.)

Navigation in the 3D Space

Once the model is loaded and mapped, you can navigate through the 3D environment.

  • Movement: Use the WASD keys to move forward, left, backward, and right, respectively (like a ghost or spectator camera).
  • Look Around: Use the Mouse to control your view direction.

(Known Issue: Sometimes, depending on the browser or operating system, there might be occasional conflicts or stuttering with WASD and mouse input. This is often related to browser pointer lock features.)

User Interface & Modes

The application features different UI panels and conceptual "modes":

  1. Main Menu: (Initial view) Contains options like Import.
  2. Material Mapper UI: (Appears after import) Used for mapping materials.
  3. Header: (Always visible at the top) Contains general information and access to Settings.
    • The header height adjusts and opacity changes after leaving the main menu.
  4. DPad UI: (Visible after model load, for mobile controls - not fully implemented/used in WebGL yet)
  5. Properties Panel: Accessed via the E key. This panel is part of the Inspector Mode functionality.

Modes

  • Inspector Mode: Allows you to view details about specific elements in the model.
    • (Functionality is currently limited.)
    • Press E to toggle the Properties Panel.
    • When you are looking at a structural element (like a wall or column segment), a pink arrow indicator will show which element is currently being "inspected".
    • This panel will allow you to view and potentially edit ACI-specific properties like concrete cover, element type, restraint conditions, etc. for the selected element.
  • Simulator Mode: The primary mode for running the fire simulation.
    • This mode contains controls like Start, Pause, and Reset Simulation.*

Simulation Visualization

As the simulation time progresses, the color of structural elements will change based on their calculated fire resistance according to ACI 216.1M-14:

  • Green: The element currently meets the required structural integrity standards based on ACI calculations for the elapsed simulation time. (Safe)
  • Yellow: The element is exposed to fire and approaching its fire resistance limit. (Exposed / Warning)
  • Red: The element has failed the ACI fire resistance check for the elapsed simulation time. Its required structural integrity has been lost. (Unsafe / Yielded)
  • Black: The structural element has yielded.

(Note: The simulation will trigger these color changes automatically as time passes and the fire spreads.)

Simulation Timer

A timer will display the elapsed simulation time, likely in H:MM:S format.

Settings

Click the Hamburger Icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the Header to access the Settings menu.

(Note: Not all settings options are fully functional in the beta version.)

Known Issues & Limitations

  • Occasional WASD/mouse input issues depending on browser/OS.
  • Performance lag. The application may be slow, especially with complex models or during simulation.
  • The "fire source" spawned by pressing X is currently just a grey placeholder cube. It does not yet simulate fire spread or heat transfer.
  • The Properties panel (E key) is a functionality for viewing/editing element data is limited in this beta.
  • Simulation is strictly based on the prescriptive methods in ACI 216.1M-14 for concrete and masonry, primarily focusing on element-level checks (cover, thickness, dimension) based on elapsed time.
  • Advanced analytical methods (temperature profiles, strength reduction) are not implemented in the MVP.
  • No complex structural analysis (load bearing capacity, internal forces) is performed beyond checking ACI minimum requirements.
  • The simulation does not account for many real-world fire variables (ventilation, fuel load beyond placement, specific material spalling beyond ACI code assumptions).
  • An Evacuation Dynamics module will be implemented in the future.

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