BIM-based mixed-reality application for bridge inspection and maintenance
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 6 September 2021
Issue publication date: 8 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a building information modelling (BIM)-based mixed reality (MR) application to enhance and facilitate the process of managing bridge inspection and maintenance works remotely from office. It aims to address the ineffective decision-making process on maintenance tasks from the conventional method which relies on documents and 2D drawings on visual inspection. This study targets two key issues: creating a BIM-based model for bridge inspection and maintenance; and developing this model in a MR platform based on Microsoft Hololens.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review is conducted to determine the limitation of MR technology in the construction industry and identify the gaps of integration of BIM and MR for bridge inspection works. A new framework for a greater adoption of integrated BIM and Hololens is proposed. It consists of a bridge information model for inspection and a newly-developed Hololens application named “HoloBridge”. This application contains the functional modules that allow users to check and update the progress of inspection and maintenance. The application has been implemented for an existing bridge in South Korea as the case study.
Findings
The results from pilot implementation show that the inspection information management can be enhanced because the inspection database can be systematically captured, stored and managed through BIM-based models. The inspection information in MR environment has been improved in interpretation, visualization and visual interpretation of 3D models because of intuitively interactive in real-time simulation.
Originality/value
The proposed framework through “HoloBridge” application explores the potential of integrating BIM and MR technology by using Hololens. It provides new possibilities for remote inspection of bridge conditions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This is a substantially extended and enhanced version of the paper presented at The 20th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR 2020). We would like to acknowledge the editorial contributions of Professor Nashwan Dawood and Dr. Farzad Rahimian of Teesside University in the publication of this paper.
Funding: This research was conducted with the support of the “National R&D Project for Smart Construction Technology (No.21SMIP-A158708-02)” funded by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation.
Citation
Nguyen, D.-C., Nguyen, T.-Q., Jin, R., Jeon, C.-H. and Shim, C.-S. (2022), "BIM-based mixed-reality application for bridge inspection and maintenance", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 487-503. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-04-2021-0069
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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