Interscale Content Hub – The world of engineering and infrastructure is changing fast, with technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins taking centre stage. But how to tell the difference between a model and a digital twin?
They’re both digital representations of physical assets, but there are some key differences.
And yes, they’re both really useful tools, but they’re used for different things and offer different benefits.
So, it’s time to clear up some common misunderstandings and break down the differences.
What is a Model?
In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, a model is basically a digital blueprint of a physical asset.
A model could be anything from a building to a bridge or even a complex road network.
As Louise Wright and Stuart Davidson put it in “How to tell the difference between a model and a digital twin,” it’s like a “detailed blueprint or a 3D visualisation of the planned project.”
Basically, it’s a snapshot in time, capturing the design intent, geometry, and sometimes the materials that will be used. Therefore, models are usually created during the design phase of a project.
They’re really useful for visualising the project, spotting potential issues between different systems (like structural and electrical), and estimating the quantities of materials needed for cost planning.
MIn Deng et al., in “From BIM to digital twins: A systematic review of the evolution of intelligent building representations in the AEC-FM industry,” shows that models have come a long way in recent years.
From simple computer-aided design (CAD) drawings to the more sophisticated building information models (BIM) we use today.
BIM models are especially useful because they contain both geometric and semantic information about the building elements.
These BIM features make them a great source of information for different stakeholders at different stages of the project.
What is a Digital Twin?
A model is a static representation, whereas a digital twin is its dynamic counterpart. It’s a living, breathing copy of a physical asset that changes as its real-world counterpart does.
Milad Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkha and colleagues have a paper out on “Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Twin (DT) in Construction Industry: A Review, Bibliometric, and Network Analysis,” define it as a “virtual state that incorporates physical parts such as sensors, actuators, cloud services, communications, and protocols.”
In simpler terms, a digital twin is like a mirror that reflects the real-time status of a physical asset. The digital twins get the data by constantly collecting information from sensors and IoT devices built into the asset.
This data could be anything from temperature and humidity readings to energy usage and structural performance data.
The digital twin uses this real-time data to simulate how the asset will behave and perform in different situations.
This means, the digital twins can be used for all kinds of applications, such as:
- Predictive maintenance, like anticipating equipment failures before they happen.
- Performance optimisation, like identifying ways to make the asset more efficient.
- Scenario testing, like simulating the impact of changes before implementing them in the real world.
Wright and Davidson make a good point: the fact that digital twins can evolve and provide real-time insights makes them really valuable for managing assets throughout their entire lifecycle.
You might also find it helpful to read “What Challenges do Digital Twin Solve? How the Twin Can Be Your Aspirin.”
Key Differences Between Models and Digital Twins
While both models and digital twins are digital representations, there are lots of ways in which they differ.
Data Integration
The thing is, models are static and not really integrated with real-time data. They use historical or experimental data and need to be updated manually.
Digital twins are different. They’re dynamic and updated in real time with data from sensors and IoT devices, so they reflect the current state of their physical counterparts.
Purpose and Application
Models are mainly used for design, planning and simulation before the actual construction or production begins.
They help us picture what the finished product will look like, spot potential problems, and plan how to build it.
Once the system is up and running, digital twins are used to keep an eye on it, manage it and make any necessary tweaks in real time.
They help you to keep on top of performance, make predictions about maintenance, and make decisions in real time.
Complexity and Functionality
Digital twins are more complex than models, so you need to make sure you have robust data management and processing capabilities in place.
They bring together lots of different data sources, crunch the numbers in real time, and update themselves all the time.
Models are simpler and don’t need to integrate and process as much data.
For instance, a BIM model could be used during the design stage of a building to create detailed architectural plans and conduct virtual walkthroughs.
Once the building is up and running, though, you can use a digital twin to keep an eye on how it’s performing, how much energy it’s using, and who’s using it.
This can help you make sure everything’s running as efficiently as it should be and keep on top of any maintenance that needs doing.
As a point of reference for construction projects, kindly check “How Construction Digital Twin Works & Helps Stop Waste Money in Project.”
Consider the Management Support System for Models and Digital Twins
As with anything new, digital twins and models can be a bit overwhelming when you first start using and managing them.
You might find it tricky to understand the nuances and implement the right technologies effectively.
And it’s true, lots of organisations find the initial setup, data integration and keeping digital twins up to date a bit of a challenge.
That’s why Interscale put together some specialised solutions to help you make the most of model and digital twin technology.
Our team of experts is here for you every step of the way, to help you on your digital twin journey.
We’ve got your back from start to finish. Our support system makes sure your projects are secure, reliable and deliver maximum value, from the first risk assessment to ongoing management and optimisation.
What do you think the result is going to be?
Our support means you can stay one step ahead of issues before they become problems, make the most of your assets with data-driven insights, and make smart choices that boost efficiency and sustainability.
Why not give us a shout today to arrange a one-on-one with our team?
You can count on us 24/7 to chat through your specific needs and help you tackle those technology challenges.
Or, you can get a quick overview by reading our Interscale BIM Management Support page.
In Closing
Models and digital twins are both digital representations, but they’re used in different ways.
If you want to know more about these technologies, you should get in touch with industry experts and researchers.
You can also use Interscale to help you manage your models and digital twins.
Because when you know how to tell the difference between a model and a digital twin, you can make the right use of these tools.
