It’s an exciting time in construction, with game-changing innovations like BIM, cloud-based construction software, and offsite building fueling growth and productivity like never before. The industry is in the midst of a digital transformation in which new technologies are disrupting traditional workflows with stellar results.
The combination of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Augmented Reality (AR) is altering the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business by improving project design, management, and execution. By integrating comprehensive, data-rich BIM models with AR's immersive, interactive features, stakeholders get a more precise and collaborative building process. AR brings BIM models to life by modeling digital designs on realistic locations, allowing teams to view and evaluate concepts in real-time. This helps architects, engineers, and contractors discover problems, improve accuracy, and make better judgments early on.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes digital material, such as 3D models or data, over the real-world environment in real-time. AR uses technology such as smartphones or AR glasses to enhance the real environment by adding interactive elements that give more information or context, so making the user experience more engaging and informative.
BIM is a digital technique in the construction industry that creates and manages detailed 3D representations of a structure or infrastructure. BIM allows project teams to cooperate by sharing a single digital model, ensuring compatibility with a variety of software applications. This collaborative effort improves efficiency throughout the design, building, and management stages.
The integration of AR and BIM broadens this by enabling an interactive design experience. AR helps project stakeholders to examine how 3D models interact with the actual environment.
To learn more about AR, check out our blog.
https://www.techture.global/blog/ar-vs-vr-whats-the-difference
Building new infrastructure and buildings is an ongoing process that requires teams to use current tools to complete on schedule. AR and VR technologies have several benefits in the building industry.
AR and VR enable 3D visualization, allowing stakeholders to walk around a project before it is completed. That is, they can effectively assess the project and guide their project teams to execute the work within the timeframe specified with no setbacks.
Another advantage of these technologies is that they facilitate cooperation, allowing teams to study information electronically and make swift choices, saving both time and money.
The collaboration of Augmented Reality with Building Information Modeling helps teams identify and address clashes, like misalignment, dimension errors, and so on. By resolving these problems prior to construction, we save time and resources.
AR helps various stakeholders to check real-time project data, including specifications, schedules, timelines, and safety requirements on site which provides access to necessary and relevant information.
AR helps us by enhancing training and by providing step by step instructions or visuals while on the site. It can also show safety alert notifications which can prevent any possible fatalities.
AR helps us by tracking a project's progress by comparing the digital model with the physical construction. This enables teams to check whether the construction aligns with the original design hence giving us more accurate project management and reports.
Different stakeholders can share 3d renders and walkthroughs with offsite members, this allows various contractors to identify real-time issues and clashes in the model. This helps reduce costs and saves time.
AR can be used to show detailed demos of how to operate different equipment or machinery. This enables team members to learn and understand better on how to use different types of equipment.
When combined with 3D modeling software and BIM, AR enables companies to generate accurate, detailed, and interactive structure models. This provides clients with a richer feel for what the structure will look like when fully built. You can’t get more detailed than a virtual walk-through of the finished project.
AR can enhance almost every step of a typical BIM workflow. Here’s a breakdown of what that would look like in practice:
Much of the value of AR for BIM construction can be felt during early planning and design, as a tool to experiment with form and visualize how it might impact the surrounding environment. It allows architects and designers to assess the viability, function, and specs of a model in an immersive way.
Integrating AR and BIM models is an effective way to help non-architects and designers gain a deeper understanding of a structure’s proportions, views, needs, positioning, and finishes. This will enable them to interpret the project (and their contribution to it) with higher accuracy and effectiveness.
In the production phase, AR-powered BIM can be utilized to guide the fabrication of building components such as prefabricated walls, windows, and structural members. Workers may see the 3D models overlaid with real-time specifications, ensuring that the components meet the exact requirements of the BIM model. This enhances manufacturing precision, lowers errors, and increases production speed. AR can also be used to monitor the quality control process, ensuring that each component fulfills the necessary specifications before being sent to the construction site.
AR-powered BIM can help teams better prepare for inspections, using devices like AR glasses to walk through sites and ensure they’re ready for inspection. AR equipment can also be used to view underground utilities (e.g., pipes, power lines, etc.). AR pins, tags, or model annotations can be used to mark any mistakes and facilitate their correction after inspection.
Maintenance and renovations are much easier with updated AR-powered BIM models to guide the process - even years after a project is finished. Using AR, teams can easily locate any structural changes that may have taken place over the years (e.g., beams, ducts, conduits, etc.), make safe updates, and record details that might impact future inspections or renovations.
Microsoft HoloLens is one of the most popular augmented reality technologies used in construction to improve BIM operations. It enables users to examine and interact with 3D BIM models in real-world scenarios. Architects, engineers, and contractors can project digital models into physical areas, allowing for real-time visualization and efficient clash detection, design review, and project collaboration. The HoloLens hands-free functioning enables workers to access data and instructions while keeping their hands free for duties.
The GAMMA AR app and platform can be used to streamline field and office activities by keeping the two worlds connected.It allows users to improve communication and add clarity throughout the project workflow.
Augment is an AR application that integrates with BIM models to create interactive, 3D visualizations. It allows construction professionals to upload their BIM models and overlay them on a real-world site through their smartphone or tablet. The application enables real-time feedback, design review, and collaboration between stakeholders, enhancing decision-making.
The Wild is a collaboration platform that lets teams work together from anywhere, using VR and AR. It supports Revit, enabling teams to collaborate in a virtual workspace.
Akular creates products that improve the utilization of 3D BIM models during construction. Their mobile software allows users to effortlessly upload 3D models and watch them come to life on their smartphone or tablet. Their technologies allow them to display life-size 3D models of buildings or reduce the model to a smaller, room-sized environment.
hsbcad developed a proof of concept for their flexible offsite construction software, hsbShare, using Microsoft HoloLens, a virtual reality (VR) headgear with transparent lenses that allows users to experience augmented reality. hsbShare allows you to unite all project data into a digital twin cloud platform that can be accessed from anywhere by any stakeholder.
Augmented Reality (AR)along with Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides several benefits to the construction industry, changing the way projects are planned, executed, and managed. Here are some of the primary benefits:
AR-powered BIM allows teams to detect, address, and solve issues in real-time, with different profiles and stakeholders collaborating from various offsite locations.
While BIM models are already incredibly detailed, AR enhances these benefits by bringing often fragmented construction teams into a common immersive environment. The detailed space projections generate highly accurate measurements, enable teams to troubleshoot different solutions, and ensure project data is updated and accessible at all times.
AR enables construction teams to follow the BIM model with high accuracy, ensuring that each component is precisely put and to the exact dimensions. It decreases the likelihood of human error during construction by providing on-site workers with clear, real-time data and instructions immediately in their line of sight, thus enhancing overall efficiency.
Once construction is complete, AR-powered BIM continues to provide value for facility management. Building managers can use AR to access the building’s digital twin, which offers real-time data on systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. This makes it easier to perform maintenance tasks, identify problems, and make repairs based on the accurate digital information available.
AR-powered BIM can also assist in renovations or modifications to existing structures. Facility managers or renovation teams can overlay the updated models onto the existing building, ensuring that any changes are seamlessly integrated into the original design and that no critical elements are overlooked.
AR has made considerable development in BIM, however there are still obstacles to solve. High-quality gear can be costly, and many technologies have a steep learning curve. Furthermore, not all construction professionals have yet accepted these tools, indicating a need for greater acceptance. However, the future offers great promise. As technology progresses and costs fall, AR becomes increasingly accessible and integrated into the construction process.
In conclusion, the construction industry will benefit from the ongoing evolution of AR and BIM. We will witness increased sustainability, quicker decision-making, increased precision, and better teamwork as technology develops. In addition to enhancing the building process, the combination of AR and BIM will enable more intelligent and effective management of infrastructure and buildings over their lifetime.
The challenge of including augmented reality into BIM workflows is to manage interoperability between AR tools and 3D modeling software and integrate digital twin data for accurate, design visualization.
AR-BIM integration improves construction safety by providing real-time hazard warnings and safety instructions directly in the worker’s view. It also enhances situational awareness and enables virtual safety training simulations.
Many software technologies support BIM and AR integration, including Microsoft HoloLens, Gamma AR, Akular, Trimble XR10, and SmartReality. Using augmented reality, these platforms allow construction teams to observe and analyze 3D BIM models in real-world surroundings.
AR allows facility management by overlaying 3D models for real-time data access. This enables efficient maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimized management of infrastructure.
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