Use of augmented reality for acceptance and quality assurance on construction sites

The AR-AQ-Bau research project aimed to develop an augmented reality (AR) system for construction sites.
The construction industry has been one of the sectors least affected by digitalisation. This is particularly true for construction, which has been less covered by digitalisation through BIM than planning.

BIM model with complex building services

Two examples of complex building services from pilot projects in BIM

BIM model of the building services equipment with different colored pipes

Contents and objectives

The AR-AQ-Bau project developed an advanced AR system for the acceptance of HVAC systems in the area of building services. The starting point is the BIM model. All information in the BIM model is available to all those involved in the construction project. For the first time, it is kept continuously up-to-date in a closed-loop approach (BIM closed-loop data transmission system). Through this so-called "closed-loop data communication", construction progress and as-built inventories can be marked in the AR model on the construction site and thus kept up to date. The project focused on interaction options for transferring comments, images and new component information into the AR model and then back into the BIM model ("closed-loop"). In this way, this information is available to all those involved in the construction at all times. With a remote expert system (Video, opens an external URL in a new window), external experts connect with the site personnel to support the execution control. They see the same AR model and can insert instructions to the people on-site into this AR model. These functions increase the quality of the completed buildings, as some errors are discovered in the first place. Another challenge in the project was the reliable anchoring of the AR models in the construction site environment. The tracking systems currently available cannot cope with the difficult conditions on construction sites and must therefore be adapted accordingly.

AR model shows a collision of a virtual pipe with a column

Collision AR model at a renovation construction site

AR-Brille Daqri Smart Glasses

AR glasses: Daqri Smart Glasses

Methodical approach

The first step was an application and requirements analysis of augmented reality in the planning, construction and operation phases, focusing on the construction phase. Then, with the help of experts, the team determined the requirements for tools, tracking, layouts and workflows for HVAC acceptance and for the remote expert system (video) and attempted to implement them in the AR quality assurance tool. All developments (including data exchange, tracking, remote expert system, and layouts) were tested in practice by ÖBA on renowned construction projects (including Future Art Lab and St. Pölten University Hospital). Among other things, the research team evaluated the suitability of the construction site, the accuracy of the tracking system, the setup time of the AR model, the change in documentation, user satisfaction, and a possible increase in the quality and energy efficiency of buildings on the construction site. The project combines research expertise from construction operations, AR, BIM, and international engineering experience.

Publications

Bauingenieur Bd. 95 (2020), Nr. 10, opens an external URL in a new window, page 379-388:
Augmented Reality im Bauwesen: Teil 1 - Anwendungs- und Anforderungsanalyse (pdf), opens a file in a new window

Bauingenieur Bd. 95 (2020), Nr. 12, opens an external URL in a new window, page 501-508:
Augmented Reality im Bauwesen: Teil 2 - Baustellentaugliches Trackingsystem (pdf), opens a file in a new window

Video: Daqri Remote Expert System

AR - Remote Expert System