With the advancement of virtual design and construction (VDC) technologies and the increasing adoption of such technologies by construction companies, animation, visualization and simulation of the construction process continues to be a domain requiring more research efforts. Users of n-dimensional (3+ dimensions) models of construction projects constantly identifies potential uses of model data in planning and management of construction processes and drive the innovations in existing workflow or integrated solutions to sustain technology adoptions that will result in long-term positive returns on the investment in such VDC technologies. This paper first examines the approaches explored in recent years to animate, visualize, or simulate various construction operations and discusses the differences and level of complexities/limitations of these various approaches. The paper then proceeds to introduce an approach by the authors of using Unity (a computer gaming application technology) and SteamVR (virtual reality system) to simulating various mobile crane operations in concrete tilt wall construction process. Operations simulated in the VR environment include various modes of crane maneuvers and lifting/setting operations of concrete till wall panels to identify potential constructability issues that may present in real construction operations. Lessons learned and industry user feedback will be discussed along with the directions identified for future research efforts.