The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of augmented reality (AR) technology on labor productivity and error rates under the challenging conditions of real construction sites. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature concerning the practical adaptation of AR glasses in actual field settings.
An experimental research design simulating realistic construction site conditions was adopted. In the study, the Hololens 2 AR headset was used to test the challenging circular stair wooden formwork assembly process, including material cutting and nailing methods. A total of 28 formwork workers were divided into two groups: one group performed formwork assembly using traditional methods, while the other group used AR-supported methods. Performance metrics such as assembly time and error rates were systematically recorded and compared.
This study demonstrates that AR technology can be effectively used in the construction industry even under challenging conditions. Rather than hindering the effectiveness of AR, the difficult site conditions have highlighted and strengthened its benefits. Additionally, by including the previously unaddressed material preparation phase, it has been shown that the measurement and visual support provided by AR have significant positive effects on workers' performance and process accuracy.
This study demonstrates the benefits of AR technology not only in limited laboratory tasks but also in extended, challenging construction activities. Additionally, it is the first to incorporate AR support in the material preparation phase, revealing its practical advantages.
