REALISTIC VISUALIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN BLENDER FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING

Abstract

In recent years, advanced visualization technologies have profoundly transformed design processes in civil engineering. Among these, Blender—a free and open-source 3D software—has emerged as a powerful and accessible tool for realistic simulation of construction materials. However, we identified a major challenge in this field: the lack of accurate and realistic material representation in 3D models, which can lead to structural analysis errors and negatively impact design decisions. To address this issue, we developed a method (workflow) for realistic visualization of materials in Blender, including steel, brick, concrete block, granite, zinc, and floor slabs. Our approach involves 3D modeling, texture application based on Physically Based Rendering (PBR) principles, and the creation of a Python add-on to streamline material management. As part of this work, we also compiled a digital library of textures tailored to the studied materials. Additionally, we conducted a simulation of a collapsing brick wall to demonstrate Blender’s potential for visualizing structural phenomena.

Our findings reveal that: • Photogrammetry-based PBR yields more realistic and representative results than procedural PBR, albeit at higher computational costs. • Blender is not limited to artistic applications; it serves as a comprehensive, accessible, and educational platform for realistic material simulation in civil engineering.