Augmented reality is being used in several aspects of construction. It can be applied in safety, project planning, modifying projects, and real time project information. For this to happen, companies must First, augmented reality has many uses for safety. With computer-generated threedimensional models, people can get a really good idea of what the building will look like during construction. This assist in preplanning for jobsite hazards, which can improve safety, increase efficiency, and lower costs. Augmented reality is extremely helpful at showing things that are behind walls, above ceilings, or underground. For instance, it is possible to see electrical wire in the walls or piping in the ground. Highlighting these areas during the preplanning stage will allow them to be found when and if they are needed, and it will also help prevent them from being tampered with unintentionally. The Common Ground Alliance found that utility hits over the past 20 years have resulted in more than 420 deaths, over 1,900 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property damage. After initially identifying hazards, AR allows people to reassess conditions and identify new hazards. This is helpful during inspections; users can overlay the digital model onto the structure in real time. Augmented reality can also receive information from different things around the job site. Individuals can place QR codes in specific locations that tell the AR system what to display. This can be anything from 3D models to text information. For instance, a QR code could provide a list of hazards for an object, instruction manual, shop drawings, or other safety measures. A big benefit of using AR, is that it is not “real”. Safety training can be more interactive. Scenarios can be designed to test workers on what to do in dangerous situations without putting the trainee in any danger. Individuals could be taught or tested on how to operate machinery without being on said machine. Furthermore, it can be used to keep people working while they are not on the site. Owners can take a virtual tour from their own home, project managers can see job progressions from the trailer, and architects can see conflicts and change design without visiting the site. The second use of AR in construction is project planning. Construction companies can produce detailed, interactive models of projects and present them to clients. This allows the client to get a realistic view of what the project will look like when it is complete. This allows them to see things they may like and dislike, and they can make changes before construction begins. This can help prevent changes late in construction, save money, and keep the client happy. Project teams can take advantage of this technology in the same way. Conducting walkthroughs of the entire project before it is built will help with identifying mistakes early on, mitigating delays in the schedule, and reducing cost. Once the project is underway, augmented reality can be used to illustrate how the project is going versus how it was planned to go. The model can be color code to show completed task, tasks that are falling behind, and task that are ahead. Reading a project schedule can sometimes be overwhelming. This provides individuals a visual schedule and a better understanding of what tasks need to be completed. A third use of augmented reality in construction is modifying projects. One major innovation in augmented reality is its ability for users to make changes to building models from the field. Using just a headset or a mobile device, users can easily display interior and exterior views of a structure and make modifications to the virtual plans while keeping the original view intact. This is particularly useful for engineers. They can troubleshoot errors in a virtual world before applying changes to the real structure. This improves workflow and prevents wasted materials. Another use of augmented reality is real time project information. AR makes it possible to combine digital information with a real-life point of view. This means, for example, that field workers can view pipes in a wall or outlets and switches on a wall. They can also switch between layers and see the location of each hole in the slab to ensure proper placement. The multiple opportunities and ample information AR provides at the users’ fingertips is nothing short of amazing. This technology also allows details to be displayed for an in depth understanding of how something should be built. By visualizing working models, all parties involved gain a deep understanding of the project. Most people are visual learners. Combine that with an interesting new technology and people become intrigued and eager to learn. As discussed, augmented reality is used in safety, project planning, modifying projects, and real time project information, and this is just scratching the surface of what is going to come out of this technology.
