Interscale Content Hub – Digital twin technology in construction gives stakeholders the ability to monitor, simulate and optimise processes in real time.
Bringing together data from different sources, digital twins help us make better decisions, work more efficiently and cut costs.
That’s why there’s a growing interest in using this technology in Australia. It’s seen as a way to make construction practices more sustainable and efficient.
Right, let’s see what this is all about, shall we?
Applications of Digital Twin Technology in Construction
Design and Planning Phase
In the past, architects and engineers relied on static 2D drawings and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to visualise and plan projects.
However, these tools lacked the ability to simulate real-world conditions and predict how a building would perform once constructed.
Digital twins address this limitation by creating a dynamic virtual replica of the building that can be used to test different design scenarios and optimize performance before construction begins.
In their in-depth review, “Digital Twins in the Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Review of Current Implementations, Enabling Technologies, and Future Directions,” Hossein Omrany and colleagues talk about how digital twins can be used to make building designs better and improve how people use the buildings.
Ommari et al. give the example of several researchers who developed a digital twin prototype called “Ph2D”. This combines physical and digital technology for architectural designs.
The tool uses interconnectable tiles that can be customized with 3D printing or digital design, so any changes made to a physical floor plan model can be reflected and analysed in a digital platform.
As a reference point for statistical data, kindly read “Don’t Be a Fossil: Here Digital Twin Statistics Shaking Up Many Industries.”
Construction Phase
While the building’s being built, digital twins can be used to keep an eye on how things are going, flag up any potential problems, and make the construction process as efficient as possible.
In a paper called “Construction with digital twin information systems,” Rafael Sacks and colleagues discuss the importance of getting data from the construction site in real time so that the right controls can be implemented.
Integrating data from different sources, like sensors, drones and BIM models, gives digital twins a complete view of the construction site.
The case study of Ezhou Huahu International Airport, which you can find in “Understanding the Role of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry” by The Location Lab Private Limited, shows how digital twins are used in practice during construction.
The project team integrated 25 million model components from different software apps to create a cloud-based digital twin. This helped them resolve around 6,000 issues and save CNY 300 million in costs.
This example shows how digital twins can make construction processes more efficient, cut down on mistakes and get better results overall.
Operations and Maintenance Phase
As we move into the operations and maintenance phase, we’ll keep building on the digital twin concept by incorporating data from sensors and building systems.
Mahmoud El Jazzar and colleagues in “Digital Twin in construction: An Empirical Analysis,” shows how important it is to collect data throughout the project to create a complete as-built model for the commissioning phase.
On the other side, Omrany et al., give us a few examples of how digital twins are being used for asset management and maintenance in the construction industry.
For example, digital twins have been used to keep an eye on the health and condition of bridges, dams, and buildings by collecting data on things like vibrations, temperature, and structural movements.
This data can then be looked at to spot any problems that could affect the structure, so that repairs can be done before they’re needed and expensive mistakes are avoided.
How Digital Twins Work in Construction
Data Collection and Integration
A digital twin is built on a foundation of data from different sources, which is collected and integrated continuously.
This data can come from sensors built into the physical asset, Building Information Modelling (BIM) models, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and external sources like weather data.
On top of that, Sacks and colleagues stress the need for data standardisation to make sure different data streams and the digital twin’s data processing workflow can work together.
Modelling and Simulation
Once we’ve got all the data, we feed it into a really powerful software platform that creates a dynamic, interactive model of the building or infrastructure asset.
This model can be used to test out different scenarios, like how weather or changes in use might affect the asset. It can also predict how the asset will perform in these conditions.
The modelling and simulation capabilities of digital twins let stakeholders see what construction sequences will look like, find out where there might be clashes, and make sure they’re using resources in the best way.
Real-Time Monitoring and Updates
The digital twin isn’t a fixed model; it’s updated in real time with data from the physical asset. Sensors and IoT devices installed on the construction site send live data straight to the digital twin.
This means the digital twin always stays an accurate representation of the real-world counterpart.
That’s why The Location Lab Private Limited stresses the importance of real-time monitoring for spotting bottlenecks, tracking construction milestones and making sure the project stays on schedule.
Monitoring also makes things safer by keeping an eye on what’s going on around the site and workers, and sending out alerts when something needs to be done right away.
For a comparison with 3D models, kindly check “Digital Twin vs 3D Model: Why Digital Twins Eat 3D Models for Breakfast?“
Challenges
Omrany and colleagues have identified a few key challenges, including:
- How to integrate and make data systems work together?
- How to make sure the data is accurate and complete?
- How to make it scalable and not too complex?
- How to keep data safe and secure?
- How to set standards and governance?
As mentioned earlier, the construction industry generates a ton of data from all sorts of sources, and making sure this data can be easily integrated and used in a digital twin is pretty tricky.
Keeping the data accurate and complete is also a big deal, because any mistakes could lead to models and decisions that aren’t quite right.
On top of that, there are privacy and security issues because the data is pretty sensitive.
Sticking to robust data protection measures is the best way to stop people getting access to your data or it being stolen.
El Jazzar et al. say that it’s fundamental to develop standardised data formats, protocols and governance frameworks to tackle these challenges and make the most of digital twin technology in construction.
To tackle these issues, we need to work together; industry stakeholders, tech providers, and policymakers all have a part to play.
If the industry develops standardised data formats, protocols and APIs, we can improve data integration and interoperability.
This brings us to the question of whether you have the resources to tackle these challenges while keeping digital twins up and running.
Because, another big issue is the lack of digital skills in the industry. Many firms don’t have the right expertise to implement and manage digital twins effectively.
Plus, the high initial costs and reluctance to change are holding back wider adoption.
Support System in Digital Twins in Construction
With all those challenges, we all know that digital twins can be a bit of a headache.
That’s why we at Interscale will work with you to develop the fit digital twins solutions for your needs.
No matter what you’re looking to do with your BIM workflows – make them more efficient, create some cool VR experiences or develop a comprehensive digital twin strategy – Interscale has the experience and expertise to guide you.
What does that mean for your business?
That means we’ll be there to support you, helping you work more efficiently, make better decisions and bring new ideas to market faster.
Feel free to drop us a line to arrange a meeting. We’re here for you 24/7, ready to make whatever changes you need to make to fit your needs and goals.
Or, if you’re looking for a quick start, you can read some basic info on our Interscale BIM Management Support page here.
In Closing
There are a few hurdles to overcome, but there’s a lot of potential for increased efficiency, safer workplaces and cost savings.
If Australian construction firms get on board with this tech, especially with expert help, they’ll be at the forefront of innovation and get better results on projects.
And yes, these current years are a big moment for the industry because digital twin technology in construction has become accessible and impactful.
