Method to Use the Augmented Reality for Construction Planning and Management

An architect creates his/her design to meet owner's requirements. Floor plans, perspective drawings, and scale models are used in order for the owner to choose the design. The tools are a little helpful for communication between the architect and the owner in case the owner does not know architecture. The scale models are good, but it is hard to make scale models while design is in progress. 3D CAD is a good tool for communication, but it is time-consuming and requires high-performance computer hardware. Augmented reality is able to show 3D virtual models that are updated by the architect with smart devices such as a smart phone and a tablet PC. The owner frequently reviews the updated design anytime anywhere. This study proposes a method to use augmented reality for architectural design and construction management. The method supports the communication between the owner, the architect and the contractor to review updated designs, and to complete the building project. 3D models expressed in augmented reality are created using SketchUp with 2D drawings for building construction. An Android application implementing augmented reality is developed by Qualcomm Vuforia and Unity on smart devices. Drawings as markers and 3D models are connected in Unity. And functions that temporarily hide unnecessary parts can be implemented in C# programming language. If an owner, an architect, or a contractor looks at a smart phone on a 2D drawing, he/she can identify building elements such as 3D buildings or columns on a screen. This can help communication between them.