Oke, A E and Arowoiya, V A (2022) An analysis of the application areas of augmented reality technology in the construction industry. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 11(4), pp. 1081-1098. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: The paper aims to analyze the application areas of augmented reality (AR) in the construction industry to enhance its usage level. The objectives are to assess the level of awareness of hardware and software devices of AR, examine the application areas of AR and reveal lagging areas in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A survey of construction professionals engaged in the built environment was sent a well-structured questionnaire in the study area. The professionals involved are project managers, architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors. The sampling technique used in selecting those professionals was convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the retrieved data. Findings: The five most applied areas of Augmented Realities are Visualization and simulation of construction works; Project documentation; Project planning, monitoring and modification. The other two areas include on-site real-time information retrieval and health and safety measures. The findings also revealed the difference in the opinions of professionals among the variables. The results showed that there is significant difference in the opinions of the professionals regarding the application areas except one, that is automated measurement. Automated measurement has the same converging opinions of all professionals engaged in the study. Originality/value: The study gives deep insight into possible areas where AR can be used in construction. The awareness level of hardware and software devices of AR was revealed by showing that those devices are upcoming in their usage. The areas of application of AR in construction are in their nascent stage. When there is proper implementation of this technology it will improve management in construction, minimize health and safety issues, and enhance the efficiency of workers through visualization and simulation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | augmented reality; construction 4.0; construction industry; digitalization in construction; fourth industrial revolution; sustainable construction |
| Index terms: | sustainable construction, health and safety, digitalization, survey, builder, methodology, project documentation, health and safety issues, augmented reality, questionnaire, visualization, project planning, efficiency, quantity surveying, construction 4.0, project manager, engineer, construction professional, monitoring, architect, hardware, built environment, construction work, fourth industrial revolution, sampling, implementation, construction industry, statistics, real-time information |
| Subjects: | research methods, performance management, design practice, professional development, sustainable construction, health safety and environment, data management, occupational health and safety management, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, digital engineering, mathematical modelling, data collection methods, profession, computer hardware, practitioner, control systems, operations management, visualization, digital technology, technology adoption, contractual arrangements, project planning |
| Topics: | Site Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here