Comparing Augmented Reality-Assisted Assembly Functions—A Case Study on Dougong Structure

Abstract

The Dougong structure is an ancient architectural innovation of the East. Its construction method is complex and challenging to understand from drawings. Scale models were developed to preserve this culturally-unique architectural technique by learning through their assembly process. In this work, augmented reality (AR)-based systems that support the manual assembly of the Dougong models with instant interactions were developed. The first objective was to design new AR-assisted functions that overcome existing limitations of paper-based assembly instructions. The second one was to clarify whether or not and how AR can improve the operational efficiency or quality of the manual assembly process through experiments. The experimental data were analyzed with both qualitative and quantitative measures to evaluate the assembly efficiency, accuracy, and workload of these functions. The results revealed essential requirements for improving the functional design of the systems. They also showed the potential of AR as an effective human interfacing technology for assisting the manual assembly of complex objects.