Interscale Content Hub – The future of construction with digital twin information systems is about changing the landscape.
Digital twin tech lets you model, monitor and manage construction projects in a really comprehensive and dynamic way, from start to finish and beyond.
In Australia, we’re already seeing this change happen. It’s transforming the way we design, build and manage infrastructure.
So, let’s take a closer look at what’s been going on in the construction landscape recently.
How Digital Twins Work in Construction
Digital twins are kind of like virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, or systems. They let you monitor and manage things in real time by sharing data between the physical and virtual worlds.
The idea first came from manufacturing and aerospace, but it’s now being used increasingly in construction because of new sensor tech, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics.
As Rafael Sacks and colleagues explain in their research article, “Construction with Digital Twin Information Systems,” this is achieved through a sophisticated integration of technologies.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the starting point, giving us a detailed 3D representation of the structure.
The model is then filled with real-time data from sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT) that are embedded in the physical asset.
These sensors keep an eye on lots of different things, like temperature, humidity, structural stress and energy consumption.
Advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms process this data and turn it into useful insights.
This means we can predict potential issues, optimise performance and make informed decisions throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Valerian Vanessa Tuhaise and colleagues point out in their review, “Technologies for Digital Twin Applications in Construction,” that cloud computing is a key part of this process.
It provides the infrastructure for storing and managing all the data generated by the digital twin, making sure it’s accessible and scalable.
Let’s look at your construction project for a high-rise building as an example.
As the project progresses, sensors and IoT devices are put into the structure to collect data on things like temperature, humidity and structural integrity.
This data is sent to the digital twin, which updates its virtual model to show what the physical asset is like now.
Construction managers can then use this model to try out different scenarios, spot potential issues, and make better decisions.
As Rafael Sacks and colleagues point out, this approach not only improves how you keep track of what’s going on, but also makes it easier to manage things proactively rather than reactively.
What’s more, digital twin systems use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create detailed 3D models that form the basis of the virtual twin.
These BIM models are made even more useful by adding real-time data streams, which turn static designs into dynamic, interactive representations.
Benefits of Digital Twin Technology in Construction
Sacks et al. say you can get better designs and plans by testing and tweaking the construction project virtually before you even start building.
This can help cut costs and avoid mistakes or expensive rework.
While the construction is going on, you can keep an eye on how things are going and make sure you’re using your resources in the best way possible. This can help you work more efficiently.
Tuhaise et al. also point out how this real-time monitoring can be used in the operational and maintenance phases too.
Digital twins can tell us when equipment or systems might fail by looking at sensor data, allowing us to plan ahead for maintenance and avoid downtime.
The ability to simulate different scenarios in the digital twin environment is a real breakthrough for optimising asset performance.
This can help us use energy more efficiently, reduce our carbon footprint and cut our operational costs.
For example, a digital twin can show how different building orientations affect energy use, helping us find the most sustainable design.
In addition to everything else, digital twins can make things safer by testing potential dangers and devising ways to avoid them.
They also help people make data-driven decisions at every stage of a project, giving stakeholders lots of information to help them make the right choices.
As a useful point of reference, please take a look at “Double Fun, Half Trouble: How the Use of Digital Twins Make Aussie Win.”
Challenges and Solutions
There’s no doubt digital twins have huge potential, but there are still a few hurdles to overcome in terms of implementation.
Data Interoperability
One of the main hurdles in rolling out digital twins is getting all the data to play nicely together.
Construction projects involve many different people using different digital tools and data formats, which makes it tricky to exchange data seamlessly.
Sacks et al. say the lack of standardisation in data formats and protocols makes it tricky to integrate digital twin systems effectively.
To get around this, we need to come up with industry-wide standards and protocols.
A few initiatives, like IFC and BuildingSMART, are working to standardise data formats and facilitate the collaboration between different BIM and digital twin platforms.
In addition, using middleware to move data between different systems can help to bridge the gap.
Integration of Diverse Technologies
Digital twin systems use a mix of tech, including BIM, IoT, AI, and advanced analytics.
The different types of technology needed for digital twin applications in construction make them quite complex to develop and implement.
That’s why it’s a good idea to develop a modular and scalable digital twin architecture, which will make it easier to integrate.
If you adopt a layered approach, where each layer handles a specific function like data acquisition, processing and visualisation, it makes the overall system easier to manage.
Another important thing is for tech companies and construction firms to work together. This helps to make sure that the solutions they come up with are right for the industry.
While you’re at it, you might want “BIM to Digital Twin: Upgrading Your Projects From Old Nokia to iPhone 15.”
Ensuring Data Security
We need to make sure our data is safe from cyber threats and that our stakeholders’ privacy is protected.
Research by Tuhaise et al. shows how sharing confidential data in digital twin systems makes them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
So, having solid cybersecurity measures in place is key to keeping digital twin systems safe.
This means using secure communication protocols, encryption and access control mechanisms.
Plus, blockchain can make data safer by creating a record of all transactions and exchanges within a digital twin ecosystem that’s impossible to manipulate.
Here’s How You Bring Digital Twins Into Your Construction Projects
As you can see, even though we’ve gone over the solution, there are still bits and pieces that don’t fit properly.
It’s a fair concern, but the potential benefits are well worth putting in the initial effort.
So think of digital twins as an investment, not just an expense. The long-term benefits in terms of running things more efficiently, saving money and reducing risks can be huge.
That makes digital twins a really valuable tool for businesses that are looking to the future.
That’s why we’re here to help Australian businesses get the most out of this game-changing technology.
We can help you with everything to do with BIM management, data integration and analytics, from the first steps to getting everything up and running.
By teaming up with Interscale, you can turn the challenges of digital twin implementation into opportunities for growth and innovation.
We’ll work with you to develop a digital twin strategy that aligns with your business goals so you can maximise this powerful technology.
Just drop us a line and we’ll arrange a meeting. We’re here for you 24/7 to guide you through the process and help you turn challenges into opportunities.
If you’re looking for a quick overview, head over to our Interscale BIM Management Support page here.
In Closing
These virtual models of physical assets, updated in real time, help us make better decisions, work more efficiently, and be more sustainable.
But you have to plan well, manage your data carefully, and work with partners who know what they’re doing, like Interscale.
Together, we need to give new ideas a boost and make construction with digital twin information systems a more straightforward process.
