Digital Twins in AEC Infrastructure and Building Management Systems

Abstract

The current practice of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) management systems relies on time-consuming, manual methods for data collection, analyzing, and decision-making. This affects the productivity of the industry in all phases: design, construction, operation, and maintenance of their assets. Adoption of innovative technologies is the key solution for the AEC industry to overcome the challenges they face and follow other reinvented industries. Although recent advancements have been proposed for more productive data acquisition and decision support by leveraging digital tools, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the fragmented approach of adoption and the absence of a connected workflow is a barrier. Digital Twin (DT) is a digital presentation of a physical entity that replicates the status and behavior of its physical counterpart. It can help to improve overall system effectiveness and reliable data-informed decisions. However, the concept of DT and its key features is still not well-understood in the AEC industry. Therefore, this paper aims to review and investigate the twinning requirements and characteristics of DT and discuss its structure and potential solutions in terms of AEC infrastructure and buildings assets operations and maintenance systems. The DT concept, main characteristics, and critical considerations for the AEC sector are highlighted and classification for DT levels is introduced and discussed.