The Potential Impacts of Virtual Reality on Construction Industry

Running head: VIRTUAL REALITY AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 1
The Potential Impacts of Virtual Reality on Construction Industry
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VIRTUAL REALITY AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 2
The Potential Impacts of Virtual Reality on Construction Industry
Part one: Research
While Virtual Reality VR presently seem to be a video game and entertainment thing, the
technology has a great potential in construction industry some years to come. This technology
offer an extremely versatile tool in the construction industry and its applications can be seen
from various facets (Wu, Zhang, Shen & Peng, 2013). In this document, we explore potential
impacts of virtual reality in the construction industry.
Virtual reality and construction
Virtual reality involves the use of computer technology for creating simulated
environment (Turner, Hutabarat, Oyekan & Tiwari, 2016). The technology, unlike the traditional
user interface, involves a user in an experience. The VR is all about creating a virtual world
which a user can interact with (Wang, Truijens, Hou, Wang & Zhou, 2014). In virtual reality,
users put on VR goggle through which they can step inside the project while the project is still in
design phase. Since it provide its users with the opportunity to go through the experience; to see
how the building will function as well as its appearance when it is completed, VR can be seen to
pose a significant impact in the construction industry soon.
In the whole of the economy, construction industry is the industry where the real life
impacts of virtual reality can be felt. The fact that the industry involves a lot of physical work
and the product is very tangible does not imply that there is no need of the VR technology to
facilitate effectiveness and efficiency of the process that lead to the final product (Le, Pedro &
Park, 2015). Virtual reality promise unmeasurable impacts to the construction industry. Some of
the notable impacts include accuracy and inclusivity, simplifying viability, avoiding obstacles

VIRTUAL REALITY AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 3
and capability to fine tune among others. One of the major obstacles in construction projects is
visualization and visualization is the major component of the virtual reality technology. This
shows how this technology will be important for construction industries in future.
Part two: Brainstorming
The current virtual reality are mostly based on desk top applications where users can
interact with the graphic presented on the computer screen. A fully immersive VR, however goes
a step further by using a more advanced display unit instead of computer screen (Akintoye,
Goulding & Zawdie, 2012). The following are ways through which Virtual Reality may change
the future of construction industry.
Performing risk assessment during design phase: the VR technology is capable of assessing
and identifying risk related codes. The technology can enable code consultants who are specialist
in evaluating virtual environments to learn essential information by exploring virtual settings.
This could consequently help in pointing out areas that require improvement in the initial design
stages when adjustments can be made, thus leading to reduction of risks that may be experience
in the final phases of the design (Pedro, Le & Park, 2015). The VR technology can be used even
in the later stages of the design or even after completion of the project. Its potential of simulating
evacuation in the event that an emergency is experienced can be helpful. Additionally, it may
enable training the building inhabitants in a virtual environment is essential; it could help the
occupants to prepare on the off chance that any real situation is experienced.
Involving contractors in the design stages: through VR technology, the construction team will
have the opportunity to get involved in the project in the design stages. This will enable
contractors to provide their views concerning the design conflicts due to the reason that they are

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the ones who always lead in spotting and identifying issues during the construction stage.
Through virtual picture of the complete project, the contractors can raise issues in the early
phases of conflicts seen during virtual walk through.
Enabling a better preparation for the construction: VR models can be used by construction
managers or general contractors to pre-plan the construction stages before the project is
executed. This will enable the contractors to make the eventual construction process which is
efficient. It will also allow the contractors to practice the building’s assembly process before the
project begin (Ma, 2011). VR can also allow the contractors to explore the construction scenarios
well before the actual process start as well as determination of the potential dangers and
equipment logistics prior to the project.
Learn how the building is likely to be used by occupants: virtual walkthroughs enabled by
VR may be essential for designers to gain an understanding of how the building occupants are
likely to use the building (Ku & Mahabaleshwarkar, 2011). It may turn out that the way building
occupants plan to use it is quite different from the designer’s perception as far as vertical
transportation, circulations and focal points are concerned. The information can then be used by
the designers to provide the design that satisfy the users’ needs.
System monitoring: virtual reality can be utilized for the building system monitoring to
determine any equipment failure on the off chance that a system failure is encountered. The
technology can as well be used to identify areas of excess pressure buildups as well as pointing
any potential leaking that cannot be spotted by a necked eye.
Part three: Regulation and ethics