Safety in Off-Site Construction: Simulation of Crane-Lifting Operations Using VR and BIM
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 1
Abstract
Tower cranes are frequently used for installation of prefabricated modules and are on-demand resources in off-site construction. Tower cranes, however, are associated with many site accidents and severe injuries. Proper safety training that builds upon hazard perception of tower crane operators will help to increase safety performance and reduce site accidents. Toward this aim, the current study develops a framework that facilitates the development of context-aware safety training for lifting processes. This framework is then evaluated for its applicability by creating safety training scenarios using building information models (BIM) and virtual reality (VR). The resultant outcome from employment of the framework developed in this study is enhanced situational awareness of tower crane operators that allows them to anticipate risks in a fast-paced construction environment, thereby reducing the number of safety incidents and (lost time injuries) LTIs. This framework allows inexperienced contractors to adopt newer construction methods, such as off-site prefabrication, by mitigating safety risks with context-aware training.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of Building 4.0 CRC for this work. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Building 4.0 CRC.
The authors are grateful for support from the ASCII Lab members at Monash University.
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Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 1 • March 2023
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 25, 2022
Accepted: Jul 26, 2022
Published online: Nov 7, 2022
Published in print: Mar 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Apr 7, 2023
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