Evaluation and Selection of 3D Model Viewers for Construction Inspection

Project Details
STATUS

In-Progress

START DATE

02/22/23

END DATE

08/21/25

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CMAT
SPONSORS

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Roy Sturgill

Construction Engineer, CMAT

About the research

Advances in technology have introduced equipment and tools to facilitate three-dimensional (3D) engineered models for construction, including the use of automated machine guidance (AMG) for grading and excavating; fine grading and base preparation; and concrete paving. Contractors traditionally use the contract plan sets to create their own 3D models, but a trend to deliver digital data as a supplement to the plan sets is emerging. Incorporating 3D model-based design has enabled project teams to communicate design intent to downstream users more effectively, and offers opportunities to improve overall efficiency of the highway infrastructure project delivery process. However, changing the medium of construction contract information also creates a procedural challenge for field inspections.

To replace two-dimensional (2D) plan sheets with 3D models could make it challenging for inspectors to accomplish field verification of contract requirements, which requires user-friendly tools specifically designed for construction inspection tasks to review contract requirements in a new, digital medium. Therefore, research is needed to aid state departments of transportation (DOTs) to evaluate the technical requirements for the selection of 3D model viewers to be implemented for model-based construction inspection.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for state DOTs to evaluate the technical requirements for the selection of 3D model viewers for construction inspection.

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