STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Industrial Safety Engineering Review Article

Virtual Reality in Civil Engineering: A Comprehensive Review of Applications, Challenges, and Future Trends

  1. Himank Sharma Department of Civil Engineering, Echelon Institute of Technology, Faridabad

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology has gained significant attention in civil engineering, offering immersive and interactive environments that enhance visualization, safety training, and project management. This review paper comprehensively examines the current applications of VR in civil engineering, focusing on construction safety training, design visualization, and stakeholder collaboration. VR’s ability to simulate hazardous scenarios allows for effective safety awareness and risk mitigation without real-world exposure. Additionally, the integration of VR with building information modeling (BIM) and other digital tools improves design accuracy and communication across multidisciplinary teams. Despite its benefits, VR adoption faces challenges including hardware limitations, motion sickness, high implementation costs, and user resistance. This paper reviews various technology acceptance models applied to VR, highlighting key factors influencing user adoption in construction settings. Finally, emerging trends such as artificial intelligence integration, real-time sensor data incorporation, and advancements in VR hardware are discussed. This review aims to provide civil engineers, researchers, and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of VR's transformative potential, current limitations, and future research directions, fostering safer, more efficient, and collaborative civil engineering practices

Keywords

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