Interscale Content Hub – A digital twin is basically a virtual version of a physical asset or system. It uses real-time data to show how it behaves and what condition it’s in. Now, what is digital twins in construction?
As the built environment gets increasingly complex, digital twins are a great way to make processes easier, more efficient, and make better decisions throughout a project’s lifecycle.
They can help with resource management and predictive maintenance, and they can also make things safer and more sustainable. So, let’s take a look at the details.
What is Digital Twins in Construction?
Digital twins in construction are detailed virtual models that replicate physical structures, which let you monitor, simulate, and analyze things in real time.
These models bring together data from different sources, including sensors, IoT devices, and Building Information Modeling (BIM), to create a dynamic and responsive virtual environment.
In their comprehensive review of digital twins in the construction industry, “Digital Twins in the Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Review of Current Implementations, Enabling Technologies, and Future Directions,” Hossein Omrany and colleagues point out how digital twins have come a long way.
Digital twins were first used by NASA for spacecraft, but they’re now used in many different industries, including construction.
What’s more, a digital twin isn’t just about the physical attributes of a structure. It also includes the systems, processes, and even the behavior of the people who use it.
This digital twin is always up to date with real-time data from sensors and other sources, so it can reflect the condition and performance of the real thing.
How Digital Twins Work in Construction
Digital twins are made using a mix of tech, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics.
BIM is the foundation for the digital twin, capturing all the building’s geometric and spatial information.
IoT sensors built into the building collect data on things like temperature, humidity, energy use, and structural integrity.
This data is then fed into the digital twin, which then evolves and reflects the actual state of the building.
This constant connection between the physical and virtual worlds makes it possible to monitor and give feedback in real time, which helps us make better decisions and get more done.
The review by Omrany et al. (2023) says this integration includes high-fidelity modeling, real-time data updates, and feedback loops to improve decision-making and project outcomes.
For reference, kindly read “Your Guide to Understanding How Digital Twins Work for Smarter Projects.”
Applications of Digital Twins in Construction
These apps are key for making sure we’re managing resources well, keeping an eye on progress, making sure everything’s safe, and handling facilities after construction is done.
One of the main uses is for managing resources. With digital twins, you can keep track of resources like materials and equipment down to the last detail.
This real-time tracking helps to optimize logistics, cut waste, and ultimately bring down project costs.
As highlighted in “A Review of Digital Twin Applications in Construction” by Obinna C. Madubuike and colleagues, digital twins help us make the most of our resources by bringing together data from different sources. This is crucial for keeping our project budgets and timelines on track.
Monitoring progress is another important use case. By automating data collection, digital twins let you track construction progress in real time.
This real-time data lets you take action before problems arise, so projects stay on schedule.
The impact is huge: the digital twin extends the data capture from BIM to operational phases, giving you a complete picture of the project status at any time.
Madubuike’s review shows how digital twins help us track things accurately and make timely interventions, which are important for keeping on track with projects and avoiding delays.
In the design and construction phases, digital twins are used to compare the models that have actually been built with the plans that were originally designed.
This comparison helps us spot and fix problems early on, so we can keep quality up and avoid extra work.
Digital twins really help keep everyone safe and on the right track. They also help identify potential hazards and trigger safety alerts by providing real-time data on worker movements and site conditions.
By combining digital twins with technologies like IoT and AI, we can make them even better at keeping an eye on safety standards and making sure everything’s up to scratch.
Once construction is done, digital twins are really useful for managing the facility.
They give you a lot of detailed information about how the asset is being used and how to take care of it.
By keeping an eye on how a building is holding up, digital twins can help us figure out when it’s time to start thinking about maintenance.
Benefits of Digital Twins in Construction
One of the best things about digital twins is that it makes things look more real. Madubuike points out how digital twins help with better design reviews and early problem detection, which are key for getting complex construction projects off the ground.
Digital twins let you see what a construction project will look like in 3D, which helps you review the design and spot problems early on.
Another great thing is that it helps with collaboration. Digital twins give everyone access to the same, up-to-date data, which is great for keeping everyone on the same page.
Digital twins help you save money by letting you test out different scenarios. Madubuike explains how digital twins help companies track how they use resources and materials, which can lead to cost savings.
Absolutely, you’ll get better budget planning and reduce the likelihood of cost overruns.
Another great thing about digital twins is that they help with predictive maintenance.
By keeping an eye on the data and crunching the numbers, we can predict when maintenance is needed, so we can avoid any downtime and keep our equipment in tip-top shape for longer.
Then, think about how digital twins can help with safety. Digital twins help keep workers safe by giving them real-time data on what’s going on at the site and how they’re moving around.
If you want to know more about how to use it in BIM, kindly read “How to Create Digital Twins as Cheat Code to Smarter Projects Like a Pro.”
How Interscale Can Support Your BIM Needs
We at Interscale are here to support you with digital twins every step of the way so your projects run smoothly. Our custom solutions are designed to meet your project’s specific needs.
Our team of experts makes sure that all the data is up to date, which helps to make your models more accurate and makes it easier for everyone involved to work together.
One of the things we’re really good at is advanced data integration tools. These tools let you bring together different data sources into one model, giving you a complete picture of your project.
Plus, our project management platforms are designed to make your workflows as efficient as possible.
We’re also proud to offer seamless workflows. Our services are designed to make your processes easier to manage, especially when it comes to complex projects.
This way, we become a kind of supporting system for you to stay on top of every detail, making sure nothing is overlooked.
To learn more about how we can adapt to your system, kindly visit Interscale BIM Management.
Plus, we’re always available for one-on-one discussions if you want to learn more about how we can help your specific project. Let us know when it’s good for you – we’re here 24/7 to support your needs.
In Closing
Digital twins technology gives us a virtual model of a building, which lets us do in-depth analysis, make better decisions, and cut costs.
With digital twins, professionals can predict potential problems before they happen, optimize the building’s performance, and even reduce energy consumption.
Ultimately, grasping what is digital twin in construction is crucial for staying ahead in the industry.
