Managing Construction Operations Visually: 3-D Techniques for Complex Topography and Restricted Visibility

Abstract

Visual information is vital in planning and managing construction operations, particularly, where there is complex terrain topography and salvage operations with limited accessibility and visibility.  From visually-assessing site operations and preventing equipment collisions to simulating material handling activities to supervising remote sites and underwater salvage and recover efforts, project managers rely heavily on visual cues and 3-D data gathered from the site and, preferable, before actual site construction or underwater recover efforts begin.  This paper presents the background and state-of-the-art in the development of construction visualization techniques for dynamic 3-D modeling, rendering, manipulating, evaluating, collaborating, and managing construction sites and underwater operations.