A successful project delivery based on building information modeling (BIM) methods is interdependent on an efficient collaboration. This relies mainly on the visualization of a BIM model, which can appear on different mediums. Visualization on mediums such as computer screens, lack some degrees of immersion which may prevent the full utilization of the model. Another problem with conventional collaboration methods such as BIM-Big room, is the need of physical presence of participants in a room. Virtual Reality as the most immersive medium for visualizing a model, has the promise to become a regular part of construction industry. The virtual presence of collaborators in a VR environment, eliminates the need of their physical presence. Simulation of on-site task can address a number of issues during construction, such as feasibility of operations. As consumer VR tools have recently been available in the market, little research has been done on their actual employment in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) practices. This paper investigates the application of a VR based workflow in a real project. The authors collaborated with a software company to evaluate some of their advanced VR software features, such as simulation of an on-site task. A case study of VR integrated collaboration workflow serves as an example of how firms can overcome the challenge of benefiting this new technology. A group of AEC professionals involved in a project were invited to take part in the experiment, utilizing their actual project BIM models. The results of the feedbacks from the experiment confirmed the supposed benefits of a VR collaboration method. Although the participants of the study were from a wide range of disciplines, they could find benefits of the technology in their practice. It also resulted that an experimental method of clash detection via simulation, could actually be practical. The simulation of on-site tasks and perception of architectural spaces in a 1:1 scale are assets unique to VR application in AEC practices. Nevertheless, the study shows the investment in new hardware and software, and resistant against adoption of new technologies are main obstacles of its wide adoption. Further works in computer industry is required to make these technologies more affordable.

中文翻译：

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支持BIM的项目协作和设计审查中的虚拟现实集成工作流：案例研究

基于建筑信息模型（BIM）方法的成功项目交付取决于有效的协作。这主要依赖于BIM模型的可视化，该可视化可以出现在不同的介质上。在诸如计算机屏幕之类的介质上的可视化缺乏一定程度的沉浸感，这可能会阻止模型的充分利用。诸如BIM-Big会议室之类的常规协作方法的另一个问题是需要参与者在会议室中的实际存在。虚拟现实作为可视化模型的最逼真的媒介，有望成为建筑行业的常规组成部分。在VR环境中，协作者的虚拟状态消除了对其物理状态的需要。现场任务的模拟可以解决施工期间的许多问题，例如操作的可行性。由于消费者VR工具最近已投放市场，因此对其在建筑，工程和施工（AEC）实践中的实际使用的研究很少。本文研究了基于VR的工作流在实际项目中的应用。作者与一家软件公司合作评估了其一些高级VR软件功能，例如现场任务的仿真。VR集成协作工作流程的案例研究为企业如何克服受益于这项新技术的挑战提供了一个示例。邀请了一组参与项目的AEC专业人员，他们利用他们实际的项目BIM模型参加了实验。实验反馈的结果证实了VR协作方法的好处。尽管研究的参与者来自广泛的学科，但他们可以在实践中发现该技术的好处。结果还表明，通过仿真检测冲突的实验方法实际上是可行的。现场任务的仿真和对建筑空间的1：1比例感知是AEC实践中VR应用程序独有的资产。尽管如此，该研究表明，在新硬件和软件上的投资以及对新技术的抵制是其广泛采用的主要障碍。为了使这些技术更便宜，需要在计算机行业中进行进一步的工作。现场任务的仿真和对建筑空间的1：1比例感知是AEC实践中VR应用程序独有的资产。尽管如此，该研究表明，在新硬件和软件上的投资以及对新技术的抵制是其广泛采用的主要障碍。为了使这些技术更便宜，需要在计算机行业中进行进一步的工作。现场任务的仿真和对建筑空间的1：1比例感知是AEC实践中VR应用程序独有的资产。尽管如此，该研究表明，在新硬件和软件上的投资以及对新技术的抵制是其广泛采用的主要障碍。为了使这些技术更便宜，需要在计算机行业中进行进一步的工作。