VR in Construction – Multi-User and Multi-Purpose

The integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) has many applications within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries, and it is mainly VR’s ability to convey scale and details that is put forward when comparing it to non-immersive visualizations. More recently, immersive VR has been extended to support multi-user sessions where several participants can experience the same model at the same time. However, there is currently a lack of real-world studies exploring multi-user VR in a construction-oriented context. In this paper we present and discuss our findings from evaluating a VR-system with multi-user capabilities at multiple occasions on several real-world construction projects. In all cases the VR visualization has been directly realized from the design teams IFC-models and the multi-user sessions has been performed both co-located as well as fully remote. Our results show that multi-user VR improves communication, understanding, and collaboration, and by letting staff with knowledge and experience from construction production review the project in VR, many design errors and constructability issues can be identified and resolved before reaching the actual production stage. Moreover, the use of VR is helpful regarding sequencing and planning, and to identify alternative design solutions. In addition to the evaluations and analysis, we present technical details of the developed VR-system

BIM and Virtual Reality (VR) at the construction site

In Scandinavia, recent years have seen an increased effort to move away from traditional 2D-drawings at the construction site, and instead let site personnel extract necessary information directly from the Building Information Model (BIM). However, although BIM-viewers and mobile applications are constantly improving, there are still issues around user-friendliness and ability to extract information and correct measurements directly from the model. In order to improve on the current situation, this paper presents a VR-application that allows construction workers to interact with the BIM through a user-friendly interface. By using modern VR hardware, such as HTC Vive, they can enter and freely navigate, inspect, and interact with theBIM in scale 1:1 and extract information, take measurements, define section planes, and control visibility of individual components or sub-models. A core component in this interface is the concept of “3D-labels”, which let the user easily place and arrange information and measurements as needed. From within the VR environment it is then possible to take snapshots that can be uploaded and accessed on portable units on the construction site. In addition to present technical details of the developed VR-system, we also present an evaluation of it performed at four different construction sites

Collaborative Design Review Sessions In Virtual Reality: Multi-Scale And Multi-User

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) for design reviews in projects is becoming more common in construction. However, the use of VR in these processes has been limited to been used more as a complementary reviewing tool alongside information medias such as 2D drawings and 3D models. Furthermore, immersive VR has been argued to have limitations when it comes to orientation and understanding and reasoning about functional links between physical layouts in a facility. This paper presents a case study of a VR system used during design reviews that support end-users to switch betweendifferent representations and scale i.e., miniature model/bird-eye view, and a 1:1 scale experience of the facility. The data gathered, consisted of recorded observation of the VR based design review process and study what type of discussion and design errors that was found during two VR-workshops connected to a new elementary school. The result shows, that by supporting switching between miniature model and 1:1scale VR experience facilitated spatial orientation and understanding and collaboration across disciplines in the project. The study also show how collaborative immersive VR can be used as an efficient communication-tool during the design process in a real-world project

An ontological approach for a recommendation system of a requirement tool: the case of a national standard framework for hospital design

There is a need to facilitate cross-project learning in hospital projects. To do this, the Swedish national healthcare project frame and database, PTS (Program for Technical Standard), has been created to provide a framework for Swedish regions when conducting hospital projects. However, the fragmented information currently available and overall structure makes it difficult to embed knowledge and requirements for cross-project learning. In this paper we use an ontological framework to review the current structure of PTS and also propose a conceptual information-structure for machine readable functional and spatial requirements that can be utilized in a recommendation system for hospital room layout

4D modelling using virtual collaborative planning and scheduling

During the last decades, the introduction of Building Information Models (BIM) has opened new possibilities to ensure better communication and a shared understanding between stakeholders in construction projects. Similar benefits have been found in 4D simulations of the schedule. While BIM and 4D use has seen a steady increase, the potential benefits have not fully been realised, primarily due to tools not supporting and enabling the full potential of collaborative stakeholder involvement in scheduling. The benefits of 4D simulations come from improving communication between stakeholders. While traditional 4D modelling connects an existing BIM model with an existing schedule, a move from this type of passive 4D visualisation toward social co-creation enables all stakeholders to be involved in the scheduling process. This connection is further enhanced with the use of Virtual Reality (VR). Recent research has shown VR to enhance understanding and perception of the space and details and, thus, a better understanding of the project. This paper maps collaborative planning and scheduling method and traditional 4D scheduling using process modelling. This mapping is followed by implementing the 4D collaborative planning and scheduling method in the virtual project planning system with support for a multi-user interactive VR environment. The system enables social co-creation both during the planning and scheduling and during 4D modelling; it improves understanding of the project and the planning and scheduling

Collaborative Scheduling with 4D extended to Virtual Reality

Construction planning and scheduling processes have been relatively unchanged until the last decades when 4D-planning has been promoted along with the rise of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Some 4D-systems have\ua0been developed for visualising schedules rather than to aid in the actual creation of the schedule. In contrast, some\ua0scheduling software in more recent years has been enhanced with 4D-modeling capabilities. Furthermore, the useof BIM-viewers during scheduling partly enables both design and schedule review before construction. This paper\ua0aims to show how an alternative approach to 4D-modelling could be used to produce schedules. The paper presents\ua0a prototype software for planning and scheduling where the production-schedule is created directly from the model\ua0in a lean construction Last Planner manner from the building components. Findings from evaluations of the\ua0prototype indicate a move of 4D-modelling from a passive visualisation to an active modelling process. This move\ua0enables knowledge to be created and exchanged in the social co-creation context of the 4D-schedule by the\ua0stakeholders. The co-creation and understanding can be further enhanced with the extension into virtual reality\ua0using head-mounted displays where the 4D-schedule can be created and reviewed directly

Developing support for BIM-based takt time schedules for production control

Cost and schedule overruns are a major issue in the construction industry and a variety of location and activity-based planning, and control methods are used to address these issues. Takt time planning (TTP) has recently gained increased attention in Scandinavia through its use of fixed durations, use of location as a resource and demand on trade-completion and control before moving to the next location. The desire is to create a stable pace of work for each trade through a sequence of locations. There are also challenges to accomplish and communicate takt time schedules. However, through a 4D based collaborative planning approach, communication of the plan and a better understanding of the project and its challenges in production is reached. Thus, this paper aims to explore the possible direct connection between BIM, TTP and collaborative planning. The paper starts with a review of current research and practices and then follows with the three cases of application of takt time in BIM projects in production to identifying challenges in practice. From this the paper then compares and analyzes the cases and the three cases. The conclusion is that an integration of takt time and BIM through a collaborative planning system is viable, and that such a system would enable a direct connection between the TTP and the model

Embracing BIM in its totality: a Total BIM case study

Purpose: Building information modeling (BIM) is mostly limited to the design phase where two parallel processes exist, i.e. creating 2D-drawings and BIM. Towards the end of the design process, BIM becomes obsolete as focus shifts to producing static 2D-drawings, which leads to a lack of trust in BIM. In Scandinavia, a concept known as Total BIM has emerged, which is a novel “all-in” approach where BIM is the single source of information throughout the project. This paper\u27s purpose is to investigate the overall concept and holistic approach of a Total BIM project to support implementation and strategy work connected to BIM. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative data were collected through eight semi-structured interviews with digitalization leaders from the case study project. Findings were analyzed using a holistic framework to BIM implementation. Findings: The Total BIM concept was contingent on the strong interdependences between commonly found isolated BIM uses. Four main success factors were identified, production-oriented BIM as the main contractual and legally binding construction document, cloud-based model management, user-friendly on-site mobile BIM software and strong leadership. Originality/value: A unique case is studied where BIM is used throughout all project phases as a single source of information and communication platform. No 2D paper drawings were used on-site and the Total BIM case study highlights the importance of a new digitalized construction process

Cost-Estimation in Construction: BIM versus Total BIM

Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been promoted to address cost overrun issues in the construction industry by improving the efficiency and quality of cost-estimation processes. Recently, the ‘Total BIM’ concept has emerged in Scandinavia, where the BIM is the legally binding construction document, 2Ddrawings are excluded, and stricter BIM requirements are implemented. This paper highlights, explores issues, challenges, and opportunities within the cost-estimation process. Ten interviews were conducted with participants from traditional projects, involving the parallel use of BIM and traditional construction documents. An indepth investigation of a ‘Total BIM’ project was also performed. Findings show that even in projects where BIM is present, traditional 2D-based methods were still used for cost-estimation due to a BIM\u27s unclear legal status and lack of trust in BIM. ‘Total BIM’ may reduce cost estimation time by up to 90%, but issues regarding training, data and information management and education must be addressed

BIM-tool development enhancing collaborative scheduling for pre-construction

Construction projects often suffer from backlashes in relation to poor plans and schedules. Especially pre-construction planning has been challenging due to a high complexity, an extensive amount of information, and a lack of site managers time to make the schedule. To solve these issues for pre-construction planning; new planning processes, methods and tools have been developed over the last decade. However, due to a disregard of the current planning processes these tools have been difficult to adopt in practice. In addition, these developed tools and methods are seldom developed from the user’s point of view. A promising development is the introduction of integrated planning as a concept in construction companies. It involves the use of BIM models in concert with a planning approach where the subcontractors engage in the planning. However, currently available tools are more geared towards experienced users such as expert planners and does not allow for a fully collaborative and integrated planning approach. While many current tools would tick many of the requirements identified, they still fail to address the base requirements from the collaborative work environment literature. This paper contributes with a user-centric design and development of a collaborative planning application showing the integration of the existing collaborative planning process. By adopting a socio-technical approach, the paper focuses on combining technology and processes supporting the users and their way of working in order to enable adoption of the solution. A design science research approach has been used to gather requirements and develop and evaluate the Visual Project Planner (VPP) application. The VPP application applies a collaborative, visual approach supporting interdisciplinary knowledge sharing between all parties involved where the subcontractors actively can contribute to schedule. The VPP application has potential to reduce time for pre-construction planning regardless of the planning approach used