Virtual reality in

construction
industry
By Moatassem Waly
 ▪ Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent
3D model-based process that gives architecture,
engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the
insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design,
construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
▪ The idea of BIM was conceptualized in the 70s and was
What is BIM? initially called the Building Description System (BDS).
▪ The term “building model” was first used in 1985 in an
architectural design paper on computer-aided drawing
and computer-aided design.
▪ In 1992, the term “building information model” was
first used in a paper discussing automation in
construction.
Figures courtesy of UK Government Cabinet Office BIM Strategy
Image courtesy of BluEnt.
 Virtual Reality Tools
Examples | Purpose |Applications
Image Courtesy:
ArchDaily
 ▪ The term 'virtual reality' (VR) refers to a simulated
environment in which an interactive computer-generated
user experience can take place.
▪ This enables designers and other construction
professionals to test ideas, components and features
before committing them for construction. It can also help
Virtual reality identify potential conflicts or problems before
construction work has started and alterations become
in construction more costly.
▪ 'virtual reality' (VR) further help the client as they are able
to experience the project in a virtual realm, enabling them
to review the design.
▪ Small details can also be rectified which might get
overlooked in a traditional computer-aided design (CAD)
model or with building information modelling (BIM).
 Morpholio AR ▪ AR Sketchwalk is a augmented reality tool that
allows designers to use augmented reality to dive
Sketchwalk into their sketches to give both their clients and
themselves a truer sense of the space.
▪ Using an iPad, you position your sketch in the plan
(or site) and can walk through it, growing the walls.
▪ This makes the experience of presenting a project
much more interactive and clear to the customers.

Image Courtesy:
ArchDaily
 DAQRI Smart ▪ The DAQRI Smart Helmet is a helmet capable of
visualizing projects and 3D models in augmented
Helmet reality as an immersive and large-scale 3D
environment.
▪ Teams can compare work-in-progress with the
original design and keep the work and office in sync
with an all-digital workflow.

Image Courtesy:
ArchDaily
 ▪ GAMMA AR is a building site monitoring application
GAMMA AR that uses augmented reality technology to overlay
BIM 3D buildings via smartphones or tablets.
▪ It allows you to compare the reality of the work with
the planning information contained in the project.
▪ GAMMA AR enables 3D BIM models to be viewed
before and during the building process, creating an
understanding of planning, avoiding errors, and
reducing construction costs.

Image Courtesy:
ArchDaily
 ▪ The Danish company Dalux offers three augmented
Dalux View / reality solutions for civil construction.
Dalux Build / ▪ The Dalux Viewer allows users to design a 3D model
and digital drawings on the actual construction site.
Dalux FM
▪ Dalux Build combines augmented reality with other
tools that make it easier to manage projects under
construction, ensuring uninterrupted flow of
information across all stages of the project.
▪ DaluxFM offers solutions for the management of
facilities, which includes planning and asset
management, including contracts for outsourced
and associated services, electrical maintenance,
hydraulics, rent control, as well as site preservation
activities.

Image Courtesy:
ArchDaily
To identify facilities management and project delivery trends and issues faced by facilities leaders today, Mortenson Construction surveyed over
60 facilities professionals at the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) 2013 Spring Seminar.

Conclusion

Image Courtesy: Mortenson

Bibliography
1. Cherkaoui, H. (n.d.). What is BIM? What are its benefits to the construction industry? Retrieved from LetsBuild:
https://www.letsbuild.com/blog/what-is-bim-what-are-its-benefits-to-the-construction-industry
2. Construction owner perspectives: key trends in facilities management and project delivery. (June,2013). A study conducted
at the 2013 COAA Spring Owners Leadership Conference. Ames, Iowa: Mortenson Construction.
3. Eduardo Souza. (n.d.). 9 Augmented Reality Technologies for Architecture and Construction. Retrieved from ArchDaily:
https://www.archdaily.com/914501/9-augmented-reality-technologies-for-architecture-and-construction
4. Virtual Reality in Construction. (2020, June 1). Retrieved from Designing Buildings Wiki:
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Virtual_reality_in_construction
5. What is BIM? (n.d.). Retrieved from Autodesk: https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim

Thank you