Abstract
This research project focuses on real-life problems, which are relevant to the professionals of the construction industry. The problems addressed by this research fall within the realm of the Construction Management (CM) and Information System (IS). The research activities followed the research framework based on the paradigm of the Design Science with some elements of Action Research. The researcher (author) with the support of experts from the construction domain and practitioners from the construction company has conducted the research according to this framework.
The goal of this research project is to improve:
• planning, monitoring and controlling processes of construction works,
• information flow between different stakeholders involved in the construction process,
• quality of performed construction works,
by using a mobile application that combines technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Augmented Reality (AR) with lean construction practices.
At the beginning, main problems related to the current construction management process that influence time and cost overruns as well as quality of performed works were identified and analysed. The analysis referred to generic situation in the construction industry and to real business context of the polish construction company – Budimex. The current state in information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and the use of BIM, AR technologies in construction sites were investigated. It was stated that BIM and AR technologies as well as lean construction practices could reduce or overcome the identified problems. 26 positive interactions were identified between BIM, AR and Lean practices that could improve construction processes. Based on this statement, the concept of a mobile AR-based application, so-called AR4C, for the monitoring of construction performance and process according to lean construction methods was elaborated. AR4C aims to improve performance of the construction process by monitoring construction works on a daily basis in a specific location unit of the project. AR4C is envisioned as a tool to enhance the project control by rapidly identification of deviations from project schedule, variation in performance and progress using AR combined with BIM and Location-based Management System (LBMS) and Last Planner® System (LPS). The project controlling methodology applied to AR4C has initiated within the European project ACCEPT, funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and has been continued by Fraunhofer Italia and Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in this PhD research project. Mock-up and prototypes of both, scheduling and controlling tool and AR4C were developed and tested in semi-real and real conditions. The scheduling and controlling process were demonstrated in a pilot site in Cyprus during the ACCEPT project and AR4C was tested in Bolzano in two pilot buildings and afterwards was implemented in 7 pilot sites of the construction company – Budimex in Poland. Both prototypes were evaluated positively and practitioners from the construction sites provided a valuable feedback with inputs for further development and research.