Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4911182 Automation in Construction 2018 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

•This study develops and tests a system that transfers BIM data to VR in real time.•This study proposes an innovative metadata transfer protocol for VR.•The proposed system improves collaborative decision-making in AEC.•It contributes to BIM literature with a real-time visualization method.•It also contributes to AEC decision by reducing information latency.

Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing attention of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry in recent years, as it shows a great potential to improve workflow efficiency through enhanced common understanding. A problem with current VR applications in AEC/FM is that the manual conversation from official design data (e.g., a BIM model) to VR displays is difficult and time consuming. There is a lack of automated and efficient data transfer approach between BIM and VR. In this paper, we will introduce a BIMVR real-time synchronization system called BVRS, which is based on an innovative Cloud-based BIM metadata interpretation and communication method. BVRS allows users to update BIM model changes in VR headsets (such as Oculus Rift DK2) automatically and simultaneously. We tested BVRS in a variety of design change scenarios including changing object dimensions, changing object locations and changing object types. Results confirmed the usability and efficiency of BVRS.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Engineering Civil and Structural Engineering
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