Integration of augmented reality in building information modeling: Applicability and practicality

Abstract

The digitalisation of the construction industry fuels the application of sophisticated virtual product models. Concerning current measures in construction project management, the acquisition of sufficient data and information hinders the project execution. However, the application of fully automated techniques within the construction industry is not yet a common practice. This explains the slow rate of digital growth in construction. This study is aiming to investigate the adoption of augmented reality (AR) using building information modeling (BIM) content in the construction industry. In order to achieve the aim, a questionnaire survey is conducted across four countries, namely Malaysia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. A comparison of AR-BIM adoption behaviour among these four countries is established. The findings show that AR has great potential to be adopted in the construction industry, provided that the obstacles hindering the adoption are resolved. Among the four countries, Malaysians are optimistic to the AR-BIM adoption. This might be due to the great effort in promoting technology adoption which is done by the Malaysian government through the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP). A software architecture framework of AR-BIM is developed using the Unity and BIM Model workflow. This study is important to serve as a guideline to practitioners in adopting AR-BIM. Also, it helps the decision makers to emphasize which technology adoption criteria is to be focused on in enhancing AR-BIM adoption in respective organizations.