Piling and geotech specialist Aarsleff Ground Engineering has invested in a virtual reality room to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of its estimators and engineers.
Aarsleff, the UK trading arm of Danish contracting giant Per Aarsleff, has created the VR hub in its Newark, Nottinghamshire, head office to apply three-dimensional simulation and data mapping technology to bring project drawings to life.
Aarsleff has teamed up with the 3D technology and software development studio Luminous Group to develop a VR application that will enable Aarsleff’s clients to “virtually” visit their construction site.
Users will be able to experience and interact with the ground engineering specialist’s disciplines, from the stabilisation of a slope with ground anchors and soil nails and the installation of a steel sheet or king post wall, to the driving of a precast concrete pile and the filling of an abandoned coal mine with drilling and grouting.
Kevin Hague, Aarsleff managing director, said: “In embracing VR, we also hope to tackle the challenge that ‘young people are not interested in construction’ by rolling out the virtual application at careers fairs and university shows.
‘Students and aspiring engineers will be able to walk around on an Aarsleff site, helping them to understand several ground engineering disciplines and learn about the machinery operated on site – all in a safe and engaging way.”
Ben Bennett, founder of Luminous Group, said: “‘We’re just at the beginning of our journey with Aarsleff and it’s great that they’ve already identified so many potential areas that our technology can aid them with. There’s no doubt there are likely applications that haven’t even been thought of in the industry yet. VR really is the future of several sectors and construction is certainly one of them.’
