Computer visualisation as a communication tool in the construction industry

Computer visualisation tools offer good visualisation capabilities that cannot be achieved using traditional methods, such as 2D drawings. Design details are not always simple and easy to understand. Builders may spend considerable time on interpreting difficult or complex details in a drawing; this could result in buildability problems. Computer visualisation tools have considerable potential to improve this aspect of construction. However, their use is still at present limited and not fully understood. This paper presents an ongoing research project demonstrating the possible use of computer visualisation as a communication tool for design information and to support collaboration between construction participants (designers and contractors). An industry survey has been conducted to investigate the current use of computer visualisation in the construction industry. A summary of the survey results is presented in this paper and the outline features of a new visualisation tool is presented