Improving project communication in the architecture, engineering and construction industry: Coupling virtual reality and laser scanning

In recent years, the demand for accurate, clear and easy-understandable information has been steadily rising within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry's stakeholders. Despite this, a sizeable portion of this indus try still considers the traditional approach to Construction Engineering, disregarding major innovations and technologic advances. This not only poses a great obstacle to proper communication between project-related entities but also presents a significant challenge for retrofitting projects. This article proposes a workflow for the improvement of communication in construction projects, in particular between professionals who lack specific BIM skills. Thus, by coupling laser scanning and Virtual Reality (VR), within a Building Information Modelling (BIM) work environment, this workflow comprises the entire process from on-site geometric data acquisition, through data treatment and analysis, culminating with the point-cloud importation into a game engine and the development of navigation and interaction tools within the VR environment. The framework is validated through its application to a proof of concept, from which conclusions regarding the workflow success, limitations, optimization, among other topics are discussed.