Developing an immersive BIM-based virtual reality workflow system for integrated collaboration of Architectural Engineering practices in Oman.

The success of any project in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is interdependent on an efficient collaboration and communication. This depends mainly on the visualization of project?s information, which can be illustrated on different mediums. Currently, the industry in Oman relies on traditional methods of using 2D drawings or static 3D views as a medium for collaboration and communication. These conventional methods are considered unsatisfactory due to the complexity of contemporary projects. In the past decade, tools, and processes of Building Information Modelling (BIM) were widely adopted and implemented in the AEC industry aiming to eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies by integrating, and improving collaboration, communication, and overall productivity of the fragmented industry. The immersive Building Information Modeling (BIM) based virtual reality (VR) solutions can address retrieving and presenting building information, which increase the efficiency of communication and problem solving in an interactive and collaborative design and therefore limiting cost and time overruns of the project. In this context, a current subject that requires research, practical application, and software adaptation is the integration of BIM with virtual reality (VR) technology. The immersive BIM-based virtual reality solutions can address retrieving and presenting building information, which increase the efficiency of communication and problem solving in an interactive and collaborative design and therefore limiting cost and time overruns of the project. Currently, VR devices and software plugins are required to integrate building information systems and immersive virtual environments. An essential aspect of VR is to visualize virtual environments and interacting with it, while the essence of BIM is to create and manipulate design data. Therefore, the link between these two technologies should be explored including the capabilities of available commercial software that combines BIM with VR technology. Accordingly, this research aims to develop an implementation framework model and evaluate the use of BIM-based VR technology in the AEC industry in Oman, aiming to improve collaboration, communication, and overall productivity.