Benefits of Digital Twin in Project Lifecycle

Operations and Maintenance

• Optimised construction Process

• Reduced construction cost

• Enhanced prefabrication of assets

• Reduced non-fatal injuries

• Safety risk management

• Improved product quality

• Enhanced environmental monitoring

• Enhanced energy management

• Continued asset monitoring and management

• Optimised overall design Process.

• Effective design Collaboration

• Sustainability in project design

• Improved design information delivery

• Improved materials selection

• Real-time data visualization.

• Ensure effective project planning

• Ease transition to digital transformation

• Effective stakeholder collaboration

• Better project management

Some important technologies are:

Cloud-Based Document Management: Cloud storage and document management systems ensure that the latest project documents, drawings, and contracts are easily accessible and securely stored. Cloud-based management has emerged as a transformative force within the AEC industry, reshaping the way projects are planned, executed, and managed.

By leveraging cloud computing technologies, AEC professionals can access project data, documents, and collaboration tools from any location with an internet connection. This accessibility fosters real-time communication and collaboration among dispersed teams, contractors, and clients, enabling more efficient decision-making.

The cloud's real-time updating and version control capabilities prevent information discrepancies, ensuring that stakeholders

• Real-world accurate asset management

• Enhanced building retrofit

• Improved renovation works

• Accurate preservation of cultural heritage

• Improved project operations’ efficiency

• Enhanced predictive maintenance

• Reduced operational costs

Construction Restoration and Refurbishment

are always working with the most current data. Moreover, the cloud's scalability, data security measures, and disaster recovery mechanisms provide a cost-effective and robust infrastructure for AEC projects.

From document management and project collaboration to BIM coordination and remote work facilitation, cloud-based management revolutionizes workflows, amplifying efficiency, communication, and overall project success in an industry that thrives on collaboration and precision.

The Kochi Metro project implemented a cloud-based project management system to streamline communication and collaboration among stakeholders. The system enabled real-time access to project documents, progress updates, and design revisions, promoting efficient decision-making and reducing delays.

Digital Twin: Digital twin technology creates a virtual replica of the facility, aiding in ongoing maintenance, space planning, and performance optimization. Digital twin technolog has the transformative potential to revolutionize the AEC sector by providing a dynamic virtual counterpart to physical structures and projects.

By creating a digital replica of a building or infrastructure, stakeholders can monitor, analyze, and optimize its performance throughout its lifecycle. Architects can fine-tune designs for energy efficiency and aesthetics before construction even begins.

During construction, project managers can simulate workflows, anticipate clashes, and ensure precise execution. Once operational, facility managers can use the digital twin to monitor systems, predict maintenance needs, and optimize resource utilization.

“Digital twins in its most optimal form are to be used for predictive analysis and based on that optimize the performance of physical twin. Having digital twins of isolated buildings and structures will not have as big an impact. Linking the infrastructure development with building structures and creating that Digital twin will bring about a dramatic transformation in efficiency of the assets. To make structures resilient, it is essential to gather real time data from the physical asset, analyse that using the digital twin and then optimize the performance of the physical asset. This will give us the ability to design and build resilient structures, be better prepared for disaster management. A national digital twin will benefit the entire nation and is the need now,” adds Sonali.

Realising the benefits of a National Digital Twin, a bunch of countries around the world have been working on developing the full scale digital replica of their country. Countries from Tuvalu in Polynesia, to Grenada in the Caribbean, and from Singapore to Greece, are racing to build a National Digital Twin. India has also begun its journey towards building a national digital twin with research and industry talks already going back and forth.

"The National BIM and Digital Twin Strategy is a good step in that direction, and I hope we can all work together and contribute to the advancement of the Indian AEC sector as a whole", says Viraj Voditel, Founder and Director, Techture.

This technology enhances collaboration by offering realtime insights to all stakeholders, resulting in reduced project delays, improved resource allocation, and enhanced decision-making.

One company, the BIM Engineers have kickstarted their efforts to implement digital twin technology in their dauly workflow. Parveen Sharma, CEO, The BIM Engineers says, "We are always willing to stay ahead of the competition and we keep reinventing ourselves, Our R&D team is very strong and we can envisage implementing full life cycle Digital Twin technologies in our projects within 18-24 months from now."

Overall, digital twins offer a holistic view of a project's evolution, from conception to operation, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective outcomes in the AEC sector.

“Digital Twins that are in vogue are based on the foundation of satellite, LiDAR, Drone and similar spatial data sources. The realworld replica assists from planning till creation of virtual assets. The idea being monitoring, optimizing and simulating the whole design, construction and maintenance lifecycle,” Saurabh adds.

There have been significant innovations in the AEC industry over the last two decades. Some of these are adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), increase in prefabrication and modular construction, progress with respect to use of 3D printing in construction, sustainable building practices, collaborative data environments, Digital twin and use of generative AI in design, Geetha Ramamoorthi, Managing Director, KBR India explains.

Challenges

The industry is not without its share of challenges and barriers when it comes to adopting and implementing technology. Despite the potential benefits, several factors impede the seamless integration.

One of the significant chal- lenges is the industry's traditional and fragmented nature, with different stakeholders using diverse software tools and processes. This lack of standardization hampers smooth data exchange and collaboration.

Moreover, there is a resistance to change prevalent within the AEC sector. Professionals often prefer familiar methods over new technologies due to concerns about disrupting established workflows or doubts about technology's effectiveness. Financial constraints also pose a barrier, particularly for smaller firms that may find it challenging to allocate resources for technology adoption and employee training.

The complexity of integrating new technologies into existing workflows can be daunting, leading to compatibility issues and operational disruptions.

Additionally, data privacy and security concerns also loom large, as the increased use of technology introduces vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and unauthorized data access.

To overcome these challenges, the industry must foster a culture of openness to change, invest in comprehensive training programs, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and actively advocate for standardization and best practices to create a technologically enabled and efficient AEC sector.

Titas Roy

Senior Research ManagerAEC & Digital Cities Geospatial World titas@geospatialworld.net

Sachin Awana

Sub Editor, Geospatial World sachin@geospatialworld.net