Many kinds of industrial projects involve the use of prefabricated modules built offsite, and installation on-site using mobile cranes. Due to their costly operation and safety concerns, utilization of such heavy lift mobile cranes requires a precise heavy lift planning. Traditional heavy lift path planning methods on congested industrial job sites are ineffective, time-consuming and non-precise in many cases, whereas computer-based simulation models and visualization can be a substantial improving tool. This paper provides a Virtual Reality (VR) environment in which the user can experience lifting process in an immerse virtual environment. Providing such a VR model not only facilitates planning for critical lifts (e.g. modules, heavy vessels), but also it provides a training environment to enhance safe climate prior to the actual lift. The developed VR model is implemented successfully on an actual construction site of a petrochemical plant on a modular basis in which heavy lift mobile cranes are employed.
Deep Dive into Utilization of Virtual Reality Visualizations on Heavy Mobile Crane Planning for Modular Construction.
Many kinds of industrial projects involve the use of prefabricated modules built offsite, and installation on-site using mobile cranes. Due to their costly operation and safety concerns, utilization of such heavy lift mobile cranes requires a precise heavy lift planning. Traditional heavy lift path planning methods on congested industrial job sites are ineffective, time-consuming and non-precise in many cases, whereas computer-based simulation models and visualization can be a substantial improving tool. This paper provides a Virtual Reality (VR) environment in which the user can experience lifting process in an immerse virtual environment. Providing such a VR model not only facilitates planning for critical lifts (e.g. modules, heavy vessels), but also it provides a training environment to enhance safe climate prior to the actual lift. The developed VR model is implemented successfully on an actual construction site of a petrochemical plant on a modular basis in which heavy lift mobil
Effective management and planning of resources are pivotal tasks in construction projects management. In recent decades, many industrial projects are constructed using industrialization/ prefabricated offsite construction methods, particularly modularization methods. Modules (e.g. pipe racks or vessels) are offsite prefabricated elements that assembled in module yards and shipped to the site for installation [1]. A set of modules constructs a larger structure. During the installation process, heavy mobile cranes are employed as the main lifting machinery. This heavy and large construction equipment is highly expensive and required precise planning and control due to safety concerns and the extensive impact on the project schedule. For example, the rental cost of a heavy lift mobile crane may reach $1,500 per hour [2]. Moreover, not only these resources force highly expenses (e.g. mobile crane rental cost, skilled crew, and mat cost) to a project, but also they are just available for a restricted period of time.
Proper use of these heavy mobile cranes can reduce costs and make the construction process faster. In contrast, inappropriate crane operation can lead to overruns, delays, and safety issues. Heavy lift path planning is one of the most significant elements in heavy mobile crane planning and management. Traditional heavy lift path planning methods on congested industrial job sites are ineffective, time-consuming and non-precise in many cases, whereas computer-based simulation and visualization can be considerable improving tools.
With tremendous development of graphical computer aid modeling and also novel interactive hardware, a definite opportunity is provided in architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry to facilitate the training process and effective learning in virtual environments (i.e. virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality) through that. A lot of research has been done in this area, and scholars tried to examine the effectiveness of the application in the construction industry. Additionally, there are also many untapped opportunities in the construction planning process.
The objective of this research is to provide a Virtual Reality (VR) environment in which one can experience a simulated lifting process in an immerse virtual environment. Providing such a VR model not only facilitates planning for blind or critical lifts (e.g. modules, heavy vessels) but also provides a safe training environment prior to the actual lift. Moreover, using VR technology make it possible to provide useful extra information, and by so doing, operators, planners, and engineers will have the opportunity to obtain a common understanding and would be capable to cooperate to improve the plan.
Throughout the recent decades, computers have played a significant role in construction. Scheduling and many other planning tasks are done with the support of computers. In the recent years, other applications have been also investigated particularly in construction operation visualization. Visualization aims to verify trustworthiness and to provide presentable insights about the modeled system. For instance, four-dimensional (4D) computer-supported design CAD technology presents a visualization of the advancement of construction by linking three-dimensional (3D) computer models of the project and construction schedules [3]. 4D models barely enable users to envision a construction schedule previously developed. However, they are not able to simulate the construction activities [4]. More recently, more pioneer computer-based technologies are employed to facilitate the visualization process. Immersive virtual technologies, such as VR technology, enable multiple design solutions to be evaluated digitally, which leads to a faster design process and more optimized end products. The first industrial use of VR was introduced when virtual prototypes started to be used in the design process. VR is a virtual prototyping technology that provides a three-dimensional scene that can be manipulated in real time and used collaboratively to explore and navigate the 3D model. By simulation of the construction process, VR makes users to get a better understanding and perception about the actual environment. As illustrated in Figure 1, there are many potential application areas for VR systems [5]. Various conducted research in the case of VR technology applications has confirmed that VR can bring vital value improvement and cost declines to the construction process [6].
Management of heavy construction equipment is a sophisticated task due to highly dynamic activities such as work-space logistics, material deliveries, and resource allocation.
However, construction equipment management suffers from some deficiencies in different levels of site planning and their movements. Studies indicate that construction site planning highly depends on individuals’ experiences, imaginations, and intuitions. Even though 4D visualizat
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