Zero latency: Real-time synchronization of BIM data in virtual reality for collaborative decision-making

Abstract Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing attention of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry in recent years, as it shows a great potential to improve workflow efficiency through enhanced common understanding. A problem with current VR applications in AEC/FM is that the manual conversation from official design data (e.g., a BIM model) to VR displays is difficult and time consuming. There is a lack of automated and efficient data transfer approach between BIM and VR. In this paper, we will introduce a BIM VR real-time synchronization system called BVRS, which is based on an innovative Cloud-based BIM metadata interpretation and communication method. BVRS allows users to update BIM model changes in VR headsets (such as Oculus Rift DK2) automatically and simultaneously. We tested BVRS in a variety of design change scenarios including changing object dimensions, changing object locations and changing object types. Results confirmed the usability and efficiency of BVRS.

[1]  Tomo Cerovsek,et al.  A review and outlook for a 'Building Information Model' (BIM): A multi-standpoint framework for technological development , 2011, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[2]  Andreas Kull.  Compatibility issues with BIM , 2012 .

[3]  Wei Yan,et al.  Communication by Interaction: A Multiplayer VR Environment for Building Walkthroughs , 2016 .

[4]  T. H. Kolbe,et al.  CityGML: Interoperable Access to 3D City Models , 2005 .

[5]  Eddy M. Rojas,et al.  A pilot study of a 3D game environment for construction safety education , 2011, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[6]  Russell H. Fazio,et al.  A practical guide to the use of response latency in social psychological research. , 1990 .

[7]  Walid Y. Thabet,et al.  Utilizing a 3D game engine to develop a virtual design review system , 2011, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[8]  J. Sterman,et al.  Effects of feedback complexity on dynamic decision making , 1995 .

[9]  Mustafa Alshawi,et al.  Exploring how information exchanges can be enhanced through cloud BIM , 2012 .

[10]  Sarel Lavy,et al.  A Multiuser Shared Virtual Environment for Facility Management , 2016 .

[11]  P. Mell,et al.  The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing , 2011 .

[12]  Hunter G. Hoffman,et al.  The Illusion of Presence in Immersive Virtual Reality during an fMRI Brain Scan , 2003, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[13]  Rafael Sacks,et al.  Construction safety training using immersive virtual reality , 2013 .

[14]  Chan-Sik Park,et al.  A framework for construction safety management and visualization system , 2013 .

[15]  Javier Irizarry,et al.  Integrating BIM and GIS to improve the visual monitoring of construction supply chain management , 2013 .

[16]  A. S. Alnuaimi,et al.  Causes, Effects, Benefits, and Remedies of Change Orders on Public Construction Projects in Oman , 2010 .

[17]  Raja R. A. Issa,et al.  Comparison of BIM Cloud Computing Frameworks , 2012 .

[18]  Nashwan Dawood,et al.  Combining serious games and 4D modelling for construction health and safety training , 2014 .

[19]  Brent Lagesse,et al.  Latency Minimizing Tasking for Information Processing Systems , 2011, 2011 IEEE 11th International Conference on Data Mining Workshops.

[20]  YAN JIN,et al.  The virtual design team: A computational model of project organizations , 1996, Comput. Math. Organ. Theory.

[21]  Mikael Johansson,et al.  Immersive visualization of Building Information Models , 2016 .

[22]  Mustafa Alshawi,et al.  An industry foundation classes Web-based collaborative construction computer environment: WISPER , 2000 .

[23]  Mohamed El-Mekawy,et al.  INTEGRATING BIM AND GIS FOR 3D CITY MODELLING The Case of IFC and CityGML , 2010 .

[24]  Filippo Fantini,et al.  Game engine for Cultural Heritage: New opportunities in the relation between simplified models and database , 2012, 2012 18th International Conference on Virtual Systems and Multimedia.

[25]  Berndt Brehmer,et al.  Feedback Delays and Control in Complex Dynamic Systems , 1989 .

[26]  Antônio Carlos A. Mól,et al.  Using a Game Engine for VR Simulations in Evacuation Planning , 2008, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[27]  Nashwan Dawood,et al.  Building an emergent learning environment for construction health and safety by merging serious games and 4D planning , 2012 .

[28]  Charles M. Eastman,et al.  Benchmark tests for BIM data exchanges of precast concrete , 2009 .

[29]  Julio C. Martinez,et al.  Gaming Perspective Based Visual Interactive Simulation for Validation of Simulated Construction Operations , 2007 .

[30]  Wei Yan,et al.  Integrating BIM and gaming for real-time interactive architectural visualization , 2011 .

[31]  Marc Herrlich.  A Tool for Landscape Architecture Based on Computer Game Technology , 2007 .

[32]  Dan C. Marinescu,et al.  Cloud Computing: Theory and Practice , 2013 .

[33]  Uwe Rüppel,et al.  Designing a BIM-based serious game for fire safety evacuation simulations , 2011, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[34]  K. Fernandes,et al.  Adoption of virtual reality within construction processes: a factor analysis approach , 2004 .

[35]  Krithi Ramamritham.  Real-time databases , 2005, Distributed and Parallel Databases.

[36]  Shenchang Eric Chen,et al.  QuickTime VR: an image-based approach to virtual environment navigation , 1995, SIGGRAPH.

[37]  Alexander Kogan,et al.  Measuring Information Latency , 2006 .

[38]  Jennifer Whyte,et al.  From CAD to virtual reality : modelling approaches, data exchange and interactive 3D building design tools , 2000 .

[39]  Frank Biocca,et al.  Immersive virtual reality technology , 1995 .

[40]  Jun Sawamoto,et al.  Perception delay and its estimation analyzing EEG signal , 2013, 2013 IEEE International Conference on Cybernetics (CYBCO).

[41]  Corey J. Bohil,et al.  Delayed feedback effects on rule-based and information-integration category learning. , 2003, Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition.

[42]  Shamus P. Smith,et al.  Extending Building Information Models into Game Engines , 2014, IE.

[43]  M. Taylor,et al.  Consequences of individual feedback on behavior in organizations. , 1979 .

[44]  Mani Golparvar-Fard,et al.  Research in Visualization Techniques for Field Construction , 2011 .

[45]  Paolo Simone Gasparello,et al.  Description and Performance Analysis of a Distributed Rendering Architecture for Virtual Environments , 2007 .

[46]  Vipin Kumar,et al.  Search in Artificial Intelligence , 1988, Symbolic Computation.

[47]  Charles M. Eastman,et al.  BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors , 2008 .

[48]  V. Kavitha,et al.  A survey on security issues in service delivery models of cloud computing , 2011, J. Netw. Comput. Appl..

[49]  P. Frensch,et al.  Complex problem solving : the European perspective , 1995 .

[50]  A. Kluger,et al.  The effects of feedback interventions on performance: A historical review, a meta-analysis, and a preliminary feedback intervention theory. , 1996 .

[51]  Mel Slater,et al.  Visual Realism Enhances Realistic Response in an Immersive Virtual Environment , 2009, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[52]  Dino Bouchlaghem,et al.  THE PROMISE AND PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTING VIRTUAL REALITY IN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE , 1998 .

[53]  Sanjay Ghemawat,et al.  MapReduce: a flexible data processing tool , 2010, CACM.

[54]  John Annett,et al.  Feedback and Human Behaviour: The Effects of Knowledge of Results, Incentives and Reinforcement on Learning and Performance , 1969 .

[55]  Yacine Rezgui,et al.  A GOVERNANCE APPROACH FOR BIM MANAGEMENT ACROSS LIFECYCLE AND SUPPLY CHAINS USING MIXED-MODES OF INFORMATION DELIVERY , 2013 .

[56]  Hazhir Rahmandad,et al.  Effects of feedback delay on learning , 2009 .

[57]  David Roberts,et al.  Virtual reality in engineering , 1993 .

[58]  Dennis L. Eggett,et al.  The effects of task outcome feedback and broad domain evaluation experience on the use of unique scorecard measures , 2013 .

[59]  Mel Slater,et al.  A Framework for Immersive Virtual Environments (FIVE): Speculations on the Role of Presence in Virtual Environments , 1997, Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments.

[60]  Jennifer Whyte,et al.  Industrial applications of virtual reality in architecture and construction , 2003, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[61]  Andrew D. Murray,et al.  Information Technology Law: The Law and Society , 2010 .

[62]  Burcin Becerik-Gerber,et al.  Immersive virtual environments versus physical built environments: A benchmarking study for building design and user-built environment explorations , 2015 .

[63]  Stefan Boeykens.  Using 3D Design Software, BIM and Game Engines for Architectural Historical Reconstruction , 2011 .

[64]  John Messner,et al.  Using Virtual Reality to Improve Construction Engineering Education , 2003 .

[65]  Philippe Coiffet,et al.  Virtual Reality Technology , 2003, Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments.

[66]  Dieter Schmalstieg,et al.  Construct3D: A Virtual Reality Application for Mathematics and Geometry Education , 2000, Education and Information Technologies.

[67]  Eliot R. Smith,et al.  Generality of the effects of practice on social judgment tasks. , 1988 .

[68]  Franklin Dexter,et al.  Implications of Event Entry Latency on Anesthesia Information Management Decision Support Systems , 2009, Anesthesia and analgesia.

[69]  Yimin Zhu,et al.  Applying metadata models to unstructured content of construction documents: A view-based approach , 2007 .

[70]  Jessica L. Milstead,et al.  Metadata: Cataloging by Any Other Name. , 1999 .

[71]  Mohamed Al-Hussein,et al.  BIM-based integrated approach for detailed construction scheduling under resource constraints , 2015 .

[72]  Dino Bouchlaghem,et al.  Visualisation in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) , 2005 .