Integration of BIM Methodology and AR Technologies for Piping Learning in Buildings

The use of technology is spreading throughout the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector, involving all aspects of the construction process, from design and maintenance to the very way of teaching in the sector. The BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology is aiding this transition, implementing the digital twin of the artifact as an always up-to-date information model. The optimization of the process and the reinforcement of interaction is the main objective of digital reconstruction, highlighting the importance of managing the integration of different disciplinary sub-models, considering both architectural, structural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing). Among the latest technologies that are being incorporated into the AEC sector, Augmented Reality offers great potential for interaction between the virtual and real world and 3D printing is generating a change in how we build our reality. This contribution aims to experiment the integration of BIM with AR and 3D printing applications for educational purposes specifically as a prototype to evaluate interoperability, data loss within the flow as well as the feasibility of using the result in university courses. The case study chosen for the application is an abandoned hospital structure in Roccaromana (Italy). A mixed survey (laser and photogrammetry) of the existing structure was carried out, constructing a project proposal exploiting the potential of the BIM methodology for the integration of different disciplines. Afterwards, to test the complete methodology, the focus was on the area of the toilets, with the aim of helping the students in the process of learning the plumbing systems through AR and 3D printing. The experiment had a positive impact on the students, who could better understand this discipline thanks both to the materic model, phisically observing spatial interference among pipes and architectural elements, and to the simulated flow, which allows the correct positioning of connections to be tested.