2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Understanding and planning construction site logistics can be challenging for students, as it’s often hard to visualize 3D spaces from 2D drawings. In a Construction Means and Method course at a U.S University, a pilot instructional framework was developed to integrate 3D printing with instructor-led augmented reality (AR) for teaching construction site logistics planning. Twenty-four students participated in this pilot implementation. Students used 3D-printed building models fabricated at a university makerspace to physically design and discuss alternative site layout plans. To supplement the tactile experience, AR computer visualizations were demonstrated on iPads to project construction progressions and equipment placements. This dual-media setup supported an interactive, immersive environment in which construction phases could be visualized as well as spatial constraints. A pre- and post-test assessment was conducted to measure student learning outcomes related to spatial reasoning and construction planning accuracy. The assessment illustrated the pedagogical emphasis of real-world simulation to understand practical applications of concepts. Preliminary findings indicate improved comprehension of spatial relationships, higher engagement, and increased confidence in logistics decision-making compared with traditional 2D plan exercises. The project is representative of the way that blending hands-on and computer visualization tools can enhance the quality of spatial reasoning and communication that construction professionals will need in the future. While the pilot’s limited sample size and single-semester scope constrain broad generalization, the results provide promising evidence that combining tactile and digital visualization tools enhances students’ spatial cognition and communication skills. Continued data collection and cross-course integration are planned to strengthen the assessment base.