Case Study: Leveraging Virtual Reality for Steel Bridge Construction – Yokogawa Bridge Corporation

Background

Yokogawa Bridge Corporation, a leader in Japan’s steel bridge construction industry, sought innovative solutions to enhance their engineering workflows, improve communication, and reduce errors throughout the design and construction process.

Challenge

Traditional review methods relied on printed drawings and physical meetings, which made it difficult to identify complex design issues early, coordinate among distributed teams, and effectively communicate with clients and partners.

Solution

By adopting iQ3Connect’s web-based VR platform, Yokogawa Bridge was able to visualize full-scale 3D models of their steel structures in immersive virtual environments and seamlessly combine CAD with reality capture LIDAR scan data of their sites. Engineers, designers, and stakeholders could now review detailed bridge models collaboratively from any location—using VR headsets, PCs, or tablets—without requiring specialized software or complex installations.

Results

• Improved Design Review: Teams detected and addressed design inconsistencies and interferences early in the process, reducing costly rework during fabrication and assembly.

• Enhanced Communication: Virtual meetings in 3D environments enabled clear, intuitive discussions and decision-making among engineers, partners, and clients.

• Cost & Time Savings: Remote VR sessions eliminated the need for frequent travel and streamlined review cycles, accelerating project delivery.

• Safer Training: VR also provided a risk-free environment for operator and safety training, further supporting workforce development.

Conclusion

Yokogawa Bridge’s deployment of iQ3Connect’s VR platform marks a significant step in digital transformation for steel construction, setting a precedent for how immersive technology can drive efficiency, safety, and collaboration in complex engineering projects.

Reference: Nikkei Article: “A Bridge Built in Virtual Space” (Japanese)