BIM + AR: A Framework of Bringing BIM to Construction Site

More and more design and construction professionals in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) areas have been and now are using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Unfortunately, there were very few efforts exploring the real-time communication and integration of BIM to the site and task conditions, and the interaction of BIM with the field crew. It is envisaged that Augmented Reality (AR) can fulfil this vision effectively through visualizing BIM right into the physical context of each construction activity or task. This paper develops a conceptual framework to investigate how BIM can be extended to the site via AR. Human factors are the core principle to investigate on, considering that AR, by nature, involves the human sensations with both real and virtual information sources. It is also found that AR should be ubiquitous and work together with accurate positioning technologies such as laser pointing. INTRODUCTION A wide range of new computer-based tools have been explored to support the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facilities Management (AEC/FM) (Froese 2010). More and more design and construction professionals in AEC/FM have been and now are using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Predominant work has been focused on how BIM can enhance the communication and collaboration among the stakeholders (e.g., 3D representation and modelling, engineering simulation, 4D CAD, virtual construction, evaluation and documentation, etc.) along the project life cycle, which is typically constrained in office environments as well as in the form of conventional desktop computers. Information designed in BIM should be eventually applied in the construction site in order to fulfil its maximum potentials and promises. For example, 88% of the BIM projects use BIM as a representation tool (McGraw-Hill Construction 2008). Unfortunately, there were very few efforts investigating how to bring BIM effectively into construction site. For example, a very preliminary initial attempt has been done by Woodward et al. (2010) to develop a prototype to AR powered 4D BIM. Only 18% of the BIM projects use BIM as a construction monitoring tool (McGraw-Hill Construction 2008). Examples of hurdles of bringing BIM into onsite include the problem with large quantity of data, and the context awareness of where to access what BIM data. Therefore their full potential cannot be realized without being widely applied in construction site which is a critical phase along the project’s life cycle. The focus of this paper is to discuss the scientific and 1175 Construction Research Congress 2012 © ASCE 2012