Virtual Reality Implementation Guide for Construction Projects
RT-TC-02 tested 18 users (a combination of industry experts and novices), comparing their performance on two inspection tasks to see whether they performed better in a desktop environment or by using immersive virtual reality (IVR) (FR-TC-02, p. 28):
- The group that used IVR scored higher (21.86% to 142.92%).
- There was a statistical significance in both tasks between the scores a user posted and the equipment he or she used (p = 0.012, 0.002).
- The data also showed statistical significance in comparing the error-detection scores of novices vs. industry experts (p = 0.038).
RT-TC-02 summarized suitable IVR implementation scenarios according to existing research projects and industry tryouts. Currently, IVR capabilities are validated mostly in the following fields of application (FR-TC-02, p. 35):
- Design review or optimization
- Facilitating collaboration
- Training programs
RT-TC-02 explored efficient approaches to transform the 3D model of a construction project into a VR-ready model for different applications. The team investigated and documented four major steps and corresponding operations (FR-TC-02, p. 15):
- Selecting target components
- Optimizing 3D content
- Modifying the system to incorporate a game engine
- Developing the user-computer interface and functions
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RT-TC-02 identified the major cost and benefit items based on industry experiences and trends of development (FR-TC-02, p. 48). The benefits of IVR applications clearly outweighed their costs. The analysis delivered two chief findings:
- The cumulative IVR investment will increase slowly after two years of implementation.
- The majority of the IVR investment will be devoted to the developers’ salaries.
