2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The construction sector has experienced significant technological advancements in recent years, with Building Information Modeling (BIM) playing a crucial role in enhancing project efficiency and collaboration. This study investigates the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in construction, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize various aspects of the building process, including design, planning, project management, and stakeholder collaboration. VR empowers stakeholders by enabling informed decision-making, issue detection, and operational optimization through real-time visualization and simulation in immersive 3D environments. Meanwhile, BIM provides a comprehensive digital representation of a building’s lifecycle, facilitating seamless data sharing throughout the design, construction, and operational phases. This integration has the potential to improve spatial awareness, collision detection, safety training, and stakeholder engagement, ultimately leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and project success. The paper explores key use cases, challenges, and future prospects of VR-BIM integration, with a focus on its potential to disrupt the construction industry. Additionally, the study evaluates the current status of VR hardware and software, providing insights into its future applications in the sector. The findings suggest that VR-enhanced instruction can equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the construction industry, highlighting the importance of integrating VR and BIM in construction education.
Keywords: Virtual Reality, BIM, Construction sector, 3D environments, Construction management, Education.