Influence of virtual reality and 3D printing on architectural innovation evaluation based on quality of experience evaluation using fuzzy logic

Abstract

In the last few years, the construction industry’s primary energydem and in developed economies accounted for 30%–40%, and technological innovation is considered to be an urgent need for the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. New technological innovations are continually changing the way the construction industry is implemented. In the construction industry, artificial intelligence is beginning to change all aspects of the construction industry, in the field of equipment planning, overall layout, safety, management and other fields have caused many changes. The integration of new technologies has revolutionized the traditional construction industry, such as virtual reality technology and 3D printing technology. In this work, we propose a categorization for assessing Virtual reality and 3D printing of Architectural Innovation on the basis of quality of experience (QoE) metric Evaluation of virtual environment using Fuzzy Logic (FL) System. The simulation result is analysed based on the comparative analysis of user experience with Fuzzy logic estimation for perception of virtual environment. The result analysis validated that the proposed FL system replicates the user valuation for architecture innovation applications more precisely and accurately thus FL is efficient method for predicting the inclusive QoE of a virtual reality and 3D printing. This paper will recapitulate the expansion of the two techniques in the manufacture engineering, demeanor examination on the presentation of diverse skills in architectural innovation, as well as explain through real cases how these two techniques have an influence on the improvement of the manufacture engineering. Simultaneously, this paper discourses the limitations of technology mixing and put advancing opinions on the future development of the manufactureengineering.

Keywords

Virtual reality 3D printing construction efficiency innovation

1 Introduction

In the construction industry, features such as the regulatory environment and organizational characteristics have a strong influence on innovation. The innovative design of the construction industry is divided into “everyday changes” and “implementation of new combinations.” According to Bygballe and Ingemansson (2018), technological innovation and organizational innovation are essential components of innovation in the construction and manufacturing industry [15].

Recently, virtual reality technology consumesestablished quickly, providing media experience and enhancing presence in various applications. The market’s primary established wearable devices for VR / AR technique including, Google Glass, opens the door to interactive scene communication [15,17,18 , 15,17,18]. From initial development to full immersion, today’s headmounted displays (HMD) such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have enabled customers to have an excellent audiovisual experience, and VR technology is expected to explode shortly [1, 30].

2 Virtual reality technology

The impact of VR on the construction industry is mainly reflected in the safety of construction education and construction. In line forcomplication of the manufacture engineering, the rate of integration of innovative technologies is considered to be lower than in other industries, but developments in architectural education usually yield results first [1, 31]. Hou et al. (2018) pointed out that virtual reality technology can allow users to manipulate the 3D interactive environment and can make concept choices for different scene definitions. At present, the practical teaching virtual model has already provided support for civic education. The traditional curriculum is mainly about the explanation of drawings, case studies, and the lack of practical perception of students [6, 29]. In the case of Sampaio and Martins (2018), a bridge-building interaction model is being used to support civil engineering education. This model uses architectural photographs to determine geometric elements and teach students the sequence of steps and links to elements [9 , 35].

2.1 Interaction between VR and construction industry

In the virtual scene, each element is modeled and then programmed with the same software of the virtual reality EON Studio to generate a 3D model using CAD. Panorama simulation is used in these models, and camera synchronization is used to display the details of the assembly and the working environment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Virtual scene graph (Sampaio and Martins, 2018).

2.1.1 Education in construction industry

At the same time, the database system also helps engineers understand how to build specific projects. The AI system will be able to make recommendations and cases on how to build bridges. Through the visualization of VR model, learning engineers can make key decisions based on the evidence that they have not mastered before.

Work is gradually completed, and students are also able to achieve a sense of accomplishment and pleasure when faced with a bridge that is open to traffic. In this teaching method, the students first have a general understanding of the steps of civil engineering and the operation mode of various types of equipment. They deviseaconsiderate of the procedure periods, and the complication of the development and the construction progress before going to the actual site. Etc. There is a fuller understanding [6]. At the same time, this teaching method can also effectively stimulate students’ ability to innovate.

A survey of students and teachers of the Division of Civic Engineering at the Technical University of Lisbon showed that 94% of students believe that they have improved their understanding of the subject, and 84% believe that this is a necessary complement to traditional architecture teaching because of it construction activities and provides enough detail. Almost all of the teachers support this as a useful new teaching method that can effectively improve students’ understanding of all aspects of architecture and has features that traditional education does not have regarding detail control [6].

However, due to the uncertainty of the actual operation and simulation of technical materials, operational difficulties also exist [24]. With the continuous development of technical revolution, the adding of new skills also makes the VR solicitation of building models need to be continuously innovated, thereby improving the quality and safety of architectural education.

2.1.2 Construction risk control

Construction risk management is the work of categorizing and classifying the hazards in the production task and studying the reaction. Due to the diversified construction methods and complex construction environment, the construction industry faces extramenacefeatures than other businesses. In the historical work, threat supervision organizationstypically use compound analytical procedures and mathematical modeling to obtain corresponding data. After the analysis of the trade-offs, the relevant rules were formulated, and many essential workers could not effectively grasp them [8]. VR technology can be effectively applied to identify potential hazards and is suitable for different construction project participants. The hybrid environment integration of VR and computer simulator can reduce the practical difference between virtual operations and actual operations. Albert et al. used multiple baseline tests to verify that VR can improve work practices and reduce accident rates in different building areas [19]. The improvement of VR’s traditional construction safety lies in its authenticity and the high degree of control, as well as the ability to simulate, examine and modify defects in employee behavior in the virtual world [8, 26].

According to Teizer et al. (2018), the use of VR technology can reduce the mortality rate of engineering accidents. The study cited data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that construction workers accounted for 7% of the total social workforce, but fatal occupational injuries accounted for more than 20%. In 2010, only steelworkers ranked fourth in the workplace, and after using VR safety training guidance, only VR innovation investment that cost 1% of total profits was introduced, resulting in a significant decline in mortality.

At the same time, VR based simulatedrealism can be used to deliverprogressive functionality in isolatedprocesses [4]. Active monitoring of risks and automatic risk tracking positioning make the risk process transparent and provide proper risk monitoring of the site through simple operations [8, 12].

Figure 2 is a risk management system. In the RBS-View, the 4D model is used to perform hierarchical positioning display of accurate positions, so that different details can be monitored in real time.

Fig. 2

Risk Management Interface.

However, at the same time, some people doubt whether virtual reality technology can produce such a significant effect on construction industry innovation. David et al. (2014) argue that risk management visualization is considered to be inefficient when comparing individual projects. Many risk hazards cannot be directly identified, and labor is still being monitored. At the same time, labors in manybusinessesfacadediverse types of risks — complications that lead to imprecise risk identification rates [10].

Concerning architectural education, there is currently a lack of diversity of training models, and there is no timely update of the task-based software system to update. Simultaneously, the high construction cost of instructionasset is also an significantissue in preventive the expansion of VR in the construction sector [8].

2.2 Possible Solutions

In the face of possible problems, Reality Technologies (2018) proposed that when VR controls construction risks, it needs to pay more attention to establishing evaluation methods based on large-scale real-life experience in the future, and can provide training for workers’ system functions and knowledge. At the same time, by simplifying the identification and operation interface, combined with AR technology, the interactive communication method of architectural education is more humanized. For the aspect of architectural education, it is necessary not only to stimulate the participation of students and teachers through timely software updates, but also to introduce more architectural concepts and architectural ethics in the design, and to guide students’ creativity and innovation in the discipline.

For the problem of excessive investment in VR technology, companies need to be aware of the importance of open innovation and intensification the partof exteriorimagination and outside marketization networks to the interiorimagination and inside marketization networksbelow the securerevolutionprototypical. The prominence of equilibriuminterior and exteriormodernizationproperties, not only practice their personalknowledge and assets to bring out revolution in the construction industry, at the same time, the introduction of external funds, technology research, as soon as possible to shotpioneeringthoughts into actualgoods and revenues [27].

3 3D printing technology

3.1 Background

Another innovative technology that has a considerable impact on the manufactureengineering is 3D printing. 3D printing technology is a fastmodeling technique that practices a mouldable measurableincluding crushedmetallic or plastic to build an item with layer-by-layer photogravureon the basis of digital prototypicalfolder [33]. In the historicalperiod or further, this improverindustrialskill has been effectivelypractical in space, army, locomotive and other businesses [16]. Revolutions in 3D printing in the manufacture engineering have practiced modifications since the modestphotogravure of constructionmechanisms to completeimportant printing.

In the year 1986, scientist of America named Charles Hull established the initial profitable 3D print media. In the year 1993, MIT institute acquired a manifest for 3D printing skill. In 2016, Acciona SA printed a footbridge in Madrid using D-Shape [13].

The construction industry consumes much energy, accounting for 40% of the global industry’s energy consumption, and drinking water accounts for 12% of the global industry. At the same time, the environmental impact is visible, and greenhouse gas emissions account for 38% of the total industry, solid waste accounts for 40% in developed countries [13]. This is a drawback in the growth of the manufacture engineering, and it is also a place where industry innovation needs to be changed.

3.2 Ways of influence

3D printing innovation has enormously affected the development business. Ngo et al. (2018) indicated that the utilization of 3D printing innovation could successfully lessen the work request, accelerate the development and decrease the expense of the development. Simultaneously, in the creation of development parts, because of its high-accuracy printing, material utilization and mistakes are fundamentally diminished. At long last, since 3D printing innovation expands the opportunity of engineering, the stylish plan of the structure can make an increasingly noteworthy breakthrough [5].

Figure 3 is a simple building made up of 840 printed 3D modules.

Fig. 3

Blooming [5].

3D printing innovation has additionally caused advancement and changes in authoritative structure. The jobs of originators and undertaking administrators may change because of the assortment of structures accessible for choice, and the job of fashioners and task directors may change [5].

On the right side of Fig. 4 is a model of a large 3D printing lathe designed by scientists to create a molded house directly. This is combined with highly prefabricated buildings in many ways.

Fig. 4

Experimental process and lathe model [13].

Since 3D printing technology is related to many other technologies, it can achieve different effects in combination with diversetechnicalrevolutions. For instance, the mixture of 3D skill and the BMI of the construction industry can effectively improve performance, reduce pollution and reduce accident rates [23]. When combined with 3D printing technology and prefabricated building technology, it simplifies construction, dramatically increases work efficiency, and provides opportunities for new concrete designs [18].

3.3 Limitations and research directions

However, it has also been recommended that the presentation of this knowledge in the manufacture engineering may significantly reduce employment, but Ngo et al. (2018) said: High automation and intelligence will make human work more professional, although the number of low-skilled workers will decrease. However, highly skilled professional workers will be the backbone of the industry. At the same time, De Schutter et al. (2018) and others proposed that the range of printed building materials is relatively narrow, and the current material level is not enough for direct processing by printing. Simultaneously, in line forexistingstructure codes, 3D productionskill is extensively used in production.

The most important point is that for 3D printing itself, the current print size is too small to print the entire building, and the printing rate cannot support the building demand [33]. Due to the large size requirements of the printing equipment, researchers continue to innovate and introduce intelligent robots for group 3D printing, rather than just being limited to the factory floor.

In the future construction industry, the innovative technology of 3D printing needs to explore more in the material discipline, and generate new technology models through the application and integration of different innovative technologies. Structural optimization and the integration of functions are required to reduce the requirements for building materials. At the same time, a multi-robot printing system was introduced to perform large-scale structural printing on spot in a harmless and mountableway. Plot the machinelocation through structurealignment to lessen the workplace, position and navigate to achieve the target location, and accurately deposit material on the planning site [23, 36]. At the same time, the organizational structure of the construction industry will also change due to this technological innovation, customers can choose the design and construction directly through the picture video option, and the designer is responsible for guiding customers when they access digital technology — comments [34].

4 Fuzzy logic based QoE evaluation of VR environment

In this section, we propose Fuzzy logic system that compute and evaluate the QoE factors accurately instead of devising biased estimation. FL system consist of three steps: Fuzzification that transform crisp value input into fuzzy set input in linguistic form by means of membership function[7]; Fuzzy Interference Engine that stimulate the fuzzy input and deduce the prediction based on fuzzy rule that can be generated by Mamdani and Sugeon rule base mechanism; defuzzification that convert fuzzy output into real world crisp output using defuzzification method including Centroid of Area(COA), Center of gravity (COG) etc. Framework architechture for propose FL system for virtual reality perception estimation is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

Fuzzy logic estimation for perception of virtual environment.

4.1 Fuzzification

In this step we fed four input variable includingQuality of Service (QoS), Perception Quality(PQ), User Contentment(UC), and Quality of Rendering (QoR) and convert this input into fuzzy set using Guassian member ship function, triangular member ship function and trapezoidal membership and the mathematical model of all these membership function is defined as follows [14]:

Triangular membership function: $μ_{A} (f, l, m, u) = {\begin{matrix} 0, & if f ⩽ l; \\ \frac{f - l}{u - l}, & if l < f < u; \\ \frac{m - f}{m - u}, & if u < f < m; \\ 0, & if f ⩾ m \end{matrix}$ (1)

Where, f represent membership degree and l, m, u represent lower, middle and upper limit membership value in triangular fuzzy number.

Trapezoidal Memeship Function:

$\begin{matrix} μ_{A} (f, l, ls, us, u) \\ = {\begin{matrix} 0, & if (f < l) or (f > u); \\ \frac{f - l}{ls - l}, & if l ⩽ f ⩽ ls; \\ 1, & if ls ⩽ f ⩽ us; \\ \frac{u - f}{u - us}, & if us ⩽ f ⩽ u; \end{matrix} \end{matrix}$ (2)

Where, f represent membership degree and l, and u represent lower, upper limit while ls, and us represent lowe and upper support membership value in trapezoidal fuzzy number.

Guassian Membership Function: $μ_{A} (f) = e^{- \frac{{(f - c)}^{2}}{2 σ^{2}}}$ (3)

Where, f represent membership degree and c represent central value and σ represent standard deviation Guassian function. Membership function of each input is represented in Fig. 6–9.

Fig. 6

Membership Function for Quality of Service(QoS).

Fig. 7

Membership Function forUser Contentment(UC).

Fig. 8

Membership Function For Quality of Rendering (QoR).

Fig. 9

Membership Function For Perception Quality (PQ).

4.2 Fuzzy interference engine

This module performs min-max operation over the inputs received. We perform Min-max operation two time during the procedure, first we use service industry parameters and perform min-max operation with Mamdani rule validation [21]. Within fuzzy interferenceengine we use min-max operation using following equation:

$ρ_{j} = m i n_{k = 1}^{m} [\max_{X_{k}} (μ_{k}^{'} (x_{k}) \land μ_{j k} (x_{k}))]$ (4)

Where, $μ_{k}^{'} (x_{k})$ represent new autonomous values of input variable. Here, we use Mamdani rule implication that generate individual fuzzy output in the form of membership function [22]. The general format of rule implication is as follows: $\begin{matrix} IF x_{1} is μ_{11} and \dots \dots x_{m} is μ_{1 m} THENy is {IO}_{1}; \\ IF x_{1} is μ_{m 1} and \dots \dots x_{m} is μ_{nm} THENy is {IO}_{m}; \end{matrix}$

Where x_k = 1 … m. represent input and output sets.

For this work following rules are used:

If QoS is Bad, then QoE is dissatisfactory.

If UC is Not Adequate, then QoE is dissatisfactory.

If UC is Excellent, then QoE is Good.

If PQ is Uncomfortable, then QoE is Better.

If PQ is less comfortable then QoE then QoE is Good.

If PQ is comfortable then QoE is Excellent.

If all inputs parameter shows minimum performance, then QoE is Not Acceptable.

If all inputs parameter shows maximum performance, then QoE is excellent.

Fuzzy output in the form of membership function is shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 10

Membership Function For Quality of Experience(QoE).

4.3 Defzification

The output received is in fuzzy form which is converted into real crisp values using following equation of center of gravity (COG) of defuzzification method: $OUTPUT = \frac{\sum_{x \in X} x . ρ_{j} (x)}{\sum_{x \in X} ρ_{j} (x)}$ (5)

The Fuzzy logic system then finally produce the crisp output [17].

5 Result analysis

In this section we evaluate the performance of FL perception estimation by comparing it with user perception. The user perception for all input is shown in Fig. 11 While Comparative analysis between the user perception and FL perception estimation is shown in Fig. 12 Form Fig. 12 it was seen that QoE output of FL system estimate more accurate perception than user perception. The change in variation of result between two values is only because end users at times, particularly if they are novel to virtual devices, become so animated and excited by the virtual environment that they incline to accompaniment the VR environment rather than precisely assessing their observation and level of knowledge.

Fig. 11

User Perception Analysis Input to FL system.

Fig. 12

Comparative Analysis between User Perception and FL perception Estimation.

6 Conclusion

VR technology and 3D printing technology are subversive innovative technologies for the construction industry, which can perform a majorpart in the manufacture and life span of human civilization. The combination of these two technologies and other technologies can also produce significant results — business prospects. However, due to technical and policy reasons, these technologies are not yet available on a large scale and bring significant economic benefits. In Clayton Christensen’s book, companies and organizations cannot just be guided by the maximization of “sustainable innovation and profitability [32].”In this work, we propose a categorization for assessing Virtual reality and 3D printing of Architectural Innovation on the basis of quality of experience (QoE) metric Evaluation of virtual environment using Fuzzy Logic (FL) System. The result analysis demonstrates that FL system estimate more accurate perception than user perception. They need to uninterruptedlydevelopmentrevolutions and receive the technical and managerialvariations of new skills in the manufactureengineering. Therefore, bravemodernizations are required in the construction industry, and new technologies are being integrated and innovated to bring new products and technologies.

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