Benefits of AR for quality monitoring

The benefits of Augmented Reality (AR) for quality monitoring will be examined in this chapter based on the literature. We will specifically look at the application of AR in quality monitoring on the construction site.

Shin & Dunston (2009) conducted an experiment in their research to evaluate the advantages of inspection with an AR system prototype over a conventional method. An inspection was performed on steel columns for evaluation. From this study, it can be concluded that there is an ease of use of such AR-based inspection equipment that saves time and costs for performing an inspection task, as well as training time and personnel costs compared to the conventional method. This means that there is the ease of use, time savings and cost savings when using AR-based inspection.

Golparvar-fard et al. (2009) studied how project managers can monitor progress at the construction site to identify discrepancies between actual and planned performance. AR was used to visualise planned and as-built performance. Based on this study, it can be concluded that the visualisation of as-built and as-planned data using AR improves the identification of progress deviations.

The study of Ahmed (2019) provides a comprehensive critical review of AR and VR technologies in construction management. This review was conducted to provide a summary of using potential opportunities of AR and VR for solving construction management issues.

Ahmed (2019) concluded that AR addresses defects that are likely to go unnoticed during the inspection process, thus saving time. The use of AR improves the current manual defect management, reducing the workload of workers and proactively preventing construction defects.

Sidani et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review to examine previous studies in the field of BIM-based AR. A list of questions was presented to understand the role of AR in multiple aspects, from the key stage and scope to the intended stakeholders. Sidani et al. (2021) stated that BIM-based AR reduces construction errors, and lowers cognitive workload.

Furthermore, Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) have conducted research into the extent to which Mixed Reality (MR) could influence the building performance of craftsmen. This involves investigating the theoretical proposition that MR could be the main means of conveying BIM content in 3D. Through an experiment comparing the performance of participants using MR and those using traditional paper. Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) concluded that this system has the potential to save construction time and reduce errors.

In the study, Kim et al. (2013) aimed to develop an effective on-site management system using smartphone technology. The system focused on the following three main functions of on-site management: monitoring the construction site, task management and real-time information exchange. AR on a mobile computing platform was used to transfer and visualise the project

Page 38 of 282 information. The applicability of this system was verified at the construction site. It can be concluded from this study that tasks can be effectively managed by using AR.

Hou & Wang (2011) also suggests that AR can be integrated with BIM to ensure that the physical context of construction activities and tasks can be visualised, thus making data more accessible. Furthermore, AR implementation can be used for monitoring of activities and tasks.

Wang et al. (2014) have developed a structured methodology for the full integration of AR technology into BIM, based on the vision of BIM in construction. Methods for configuring BIM + AR prototypes were formulated. Based on this study of Wang et al. (2014), it is also possible to trace and analyse the work by comparing the planned and built data on-site, where AR can make this possible. Sidani et al. (2021) also stated that BIM-based AR supports task completion and task orientation. Furthermore, in the study of Chalhoub & Ayer (2018), they concluded that handheld mobile devices in combination with BIM-based AR are a powerful system for construction progress monitoring.

Hou & Wang (2011) have reviewed some AR applications in the field of assembly and discussed their potential. A framework for evaluating AR was developed and the application was evaluated. Based on this study, it can be concluded that by using AR in combination with BIM, effective communication between construction management and subcontractors about the data contained in the BIM model could be ensured. On the basis of the above-mentioned study by Sidani et al. (2021), it can also be concluded that collaboration on a construction project is improved by using AR. Furthermore, Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) concluded that AR allows improved collaboration between project stakeholders.

Meža et al. (2015) developed a methodology for evaluating the potential of AR technology that can integrate and situate information in time, place and context. A prototype was built and tested on the construction site to evaluate the potential of its use. And afterwards, interviews with potential users were executed. Meža et al. (2015) concluded that using AR as an application on a construction project improves the understanding of a project by a metric of 20% compared to using a 3D virtual model alone.

As already above-mentioned, Hou & Wang (2011) reviewed some AR applications and based on their study they suggest that AR can be integrated with BIM to ensure that the physical context of construction activities and tasks can be visualised, thus making data more accessible. And where AR implementation can be used for real-time visualisation. Chalhoub &

Ayer (2018) also provided the same conclusion in their study, which concluded that AR in the construction industry has the potential to be user-friendly and it could be used for simplifying and visualising complex data in the field. Also, Ahmed (2019) concluded in his study that AR is seen as a great addition where the shapes and volume of planned buildings can be visualised.

Page 39 of 282 Azuma (1997) gives an overview of AR and the characteristics of AR systems, providing information for the potential of AR. The medical, manufacturing, visualisation, route planning, entertainment, and military applications were considered. Based on the literature, the results of this research were analysed. Azuma (1997) concluded in his study that instructions are more understandable if they can be given in AR, rather than in manuals with text and pictures.

Wang et al. (2013) have proposed a conceptual framework in which BIM-integrated AR is used to visualise the physical context of any construction activity or task in real-time. A conceptual framework was proposed based on the literature. (Wang et al., 2013) stated that AR can be used for instruction to visualise structures, increasing speed, safety and accuracy and reducing the cost of support. An example is the construction of ductwork and support structures.

2.4.1. Sub-conclusion

From the above-mentioned benefits of AR for quality monitoring, the following benefits are used for this study, and will therefore be included. These benefits are indicated in Italic in the text above. The benefits which will be included in this study will be briefly explained below.

These benefits are based on studies already carried out.

As already mentioned in Chapter 2.2, the application of on-site quality inspection using AR will be included in this study. Based on the study by Shin & Dunston (2009) it can be concluded that by performing on-site quality inspection using AR, time is saved for performing this visual inspection. So this means that the benefit of saving time needed for a visual inspection will be included in this study.

As already mentioned in Chapter 2.2, the application project progress tracking using AR will be included in this study. Based on the studies of Golparvar-fard et al. (2009), Wang et al.

(2014), Sidani et al. (2021) and Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) it can be concluded that by performing project progress tracking using AR there is a clear overview of the project's progress. So this means that the benefit of a clear overview of the project's progress will be included in this study.

Based on the studies of Hou & Wang (2011), (Sidani et al., 2021) and Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) it can be concluded that by using AR on the construction site there is improved collaboration between different parties. So this means that the benefit of effective communication between management and subcontractor through the use of AR on the construction site will be included in this study.

As mentioned in Chapter 2.2, this study will include application defect and quality management using AR. Based on the studies of Golparvar-fard et al. (2009), Ahmed (2019), Sidani et al. (2021) and Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) it can be concluded that the visualisation of as-built and as-planned data using AR reduces construction errors. AR also ensures that errors

Page 40 of 282 are proactively prevented, because they are detected at an early stage. This means that the benefit of discovering errors that normally go unnoticed using AR will be included in this study.

As already mentioned in Chapter 2.2, this study will include real-time visualisation using AR.

Based on the studies of Meža et al. (2015), Hou & Wang (2011) and Chalhoub & Ayer (2018) it can be concluded that when using AR for real-time visualisation there is a clear representation of the construction project. So this means that the benefit of clear representation of the construction project using AR will be included in this study.

As already mentioned in Chapter 2.2, the application monitoring activities and tasks using AR will be included in this study. Based on the studies of Kim et al. (2013) and Sidani et al. (2021) it can be concluded that with the use of AR tasks and activities can be effectively managed. So this means that the benefit of monitoring of activities and tasks at the construction site using AR will be included in this study.

As mentioned in Chapter 2.2, this study will include application defect and quality management using AR. Based on the study by Golparvar-fard et al. (2009) it can be concluded that when using AR, deviations on the building site can be detected. So this means that the benefit of the detection of deviations on the building site will be included in this study.

Based on the studies of Azuma, (1997) and Wang et al. (2013) it can be concluded that instructions using AR are better understood compared to manuals with text and pictures. So this means that there are benefits in providing instructions for the execution using AR, and these will be included in this study.

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