Planning of wireless networks with 4D virtual prototyping for construction site collaboration

Abstract

Emerging collaborative technologies and working methods often require tremendous engineering and organisational efforts for successful implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs). For some years, the feasibility of implementing wireless solutions to construction sites has been researched. The state-of-the-art in wireless networks and communications in the construction industry revealed that construction companies are not widely deploying wireless networks at remote offices or in the field. For better use of wireless networks in construction projects, these technologies and construction sector have to be examined in some detail to implement the most suitable technology for real-time information access and improved mobile collaboration of distributed teams in construction. However, case studies in construction are very limited in number and scope. This paper discusses and proposes an implementation scenario of wireless networking on a live construction project through the use of 4D (four dimensional) virtual prototyping technologies. © 2011 ASCE.