BIMScaler Blog – The digital twin building tech has the potential to completely change the way we design, build, operate and maintain our built environment.
As smart cities and advanced infrastructure management in Australia continue to grow, digital twin technology is becoming one of the most important tools out there.
In cities like Melbourne and Sydney, urban planners are already using digital twin building models to make the urban infrastructure as efficient as possible.
Bringing these digital models together isn’t just a shift in how we interact with buildings. It’s also a key driver of future innovation in sustainable development.
Components of a Building Digital Twin
A building digital twin is more than just a 3D model. It’s a complex set of variables brought together to create a dynamic representation of a building.
Sungmin Yoona in “Building digital twinning: Data, information, and models,” talks about the three main parts of a digital twin.
Data
Data is the foundation of any digital twin. When it comes to buildings, data covers everything from sensor readings on things like temperature, energy usage and the environment to architectural and structural details.
Collecting data without disrupting operations is easy with non-intrusive data collection, which can be done through building automation systems (BAS).
For example, Sungmin Yoo points to a study highlighting how smart buildings with real-time monitoring systems could cut energy use by 10% through precise data collection.
Combining data from different sources, like linking environmental monitoring with IoT devices, makes it more accurate and gives you a fuller picture to help you make decisions.
Information
The information layer in a digital twin building is the link between raw data and useful insights.
It’s where all the data collected from sensors and building systems is turned into structured, meaningful knowledge that can be used to make decisions.
As Sungmin Yoon points out, this transformation is achieved through data processing and unsupervised data mining techniques.
The information that’s extracted covers a lot of different building aspects, like system states (e.g. normal/faulty), occupant conditions (e.g. comfort levels), and even the links between different data elements.
The Building Information Model (BIM) is a key part of the digital twin.
It adds a lot of detail to the information layer by providing a detailed semantic and operational context.
It’s a digital library of the building’s design, construction, and operational data, which helps us understand how the building works and what it can do.
Mathematical Models
Mathematical models are the third part of a digital twin. They use the data and information to create a dynamic, predictive representation of the building.
As Zhihan Lyu points out in the “Handbook of Digital Twins,” these models let you analyse data and monitor systems through simulations.
This gives you a virtual testing ground for different scenarios.
For example, prediction models, which are fed by historical data and real-time sensor inputs, can forecast energy consumption patterns, which helps to make energy management strategies more proactive.
Benchmark models are a great way to assess how well a building is performing and help us make it even better.
Bringing together data, information, and models gives digital twins the power to do more than just reflect the physical building.
They can also predict how it will behave in the future, which is a big step forward in building management.
Learn more: What are the Cost Implications of Adopting Digital Twins? Let’s Breakdown
How to Create a Digital Twin of a Building
Building a digital twin is a multi-step process combining physical and virtual modelling, data collection and real-time integration.
Step 1: Data Collection and Integration
The first thing you need to do to create a digital twin is get some data from the building in the real world.
Sensors and IoT devices keep an eye on things like the environment, the building structure, and how the systems are performing.
There are two main ways of gathering this data: intrusive and non-intrusive.
Intrusive methods use portable sensors or building management systems, while non-intrusive methods don’t involve any extra equipment.
The data is then fed into the digital twin environment.
Step 2: Building Information Model (BIM) Integration
Next, we put together a digital model of the building using BIM.
This model has all the architectural, structural and operational details you could need, so the virtual building is just like the real thing.
Information from previous designs, along with real-time data, creates a dynamic model that changes as the building does.
Step 3: Model Calibration and Synchronisation
Model calibration is pretty important for making sure the digital twin behaves the same as the real building.
We use simultaneous in-situ calibration techniques to adjust the model’s parameters to match real-world conditions.
This step makes sure the virtual model can effectively simulate things like energy use, system failures, or occupant behaviour, which improves both accuracy and reliability.
Step 4: Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback
The last step is to keep feeding the digital twin with real-time data from the building sensors.
This two-way flow of data means that the digital twin can make adjustments and optimisations on the fly.
This approach gives you feedback on how the system is performing, any potential issues, and ways to make it more energy efficient.
By using advanced analytics and predictive algorithms, facility managers can spot issues before they happen, which helps to improve both the performance and sustainability of the building.
Applications of Building Digital Twins
There are loads of ways to use digital twins throughout the entire building lifecycle.
In the design phase, the digital twins help architects and engineers see and test different design options.
That way, the digital twins make them more energy-efficient, stronger, and comfortable for people who will use them.
During construction, digital twins can be used for 4D and 5D planning, as well as BIM Scaler expertise, which helps to improve coordination and reduce the risk of errors and delays.
Once the building is up and running, the digital twin is a great way to keep an eye on things in real time and make any necessary adjustments.
It can be used to make sure you’re using as little energy as possible, to predict when maintenance is needed, and even to make the indoor environment as comfortable as possible for the people who work there.
Learn more: How Do Digital Twins Integrate with Existing Infrastructure: A Simple Guide
Benefits of Digital Twins in Building Management
Using digital twins in building management is a great way to make things easier and more efficient.
It mainly helps people make decisions based on data, so they don’t have to guess and can rely on facts from real-time data and predictive models.
This means better operational efficiency, less energy use and happier, healthier occupants.
What’s more, digital twins let facility managers plan ahead and fix problems before they become expensive repairs.
This proactive approach not only cuts down on downtime but also helps building systems and equipment last longer.
Get a Support System in the Digital Twin Building Adoption Process
The idea of adopting digital twin technology might seem a bit intimidating, especially if your team is already short on resources or expertise.
But don’t worry, taking that first step doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
At BIM Scaler, we’re on a mission to make digital twins a reality for Australian businesses like yours.
Our complete range of services is there to make your digital twin adoption as stress-free as possible.
We’ve got the skills to make your digital twin creation process smoother and more efficient. Our expertise lies in clash detection, 4D/5D planning and effective stakeholder communication.
Also, we make sure your digital twin lasts as long as you need it to, so it’s always worth its weight in gold.
The goal is you get a reliable support system you can count on to help you work through the challenges with confidence.
That’s why, whenever you ready to experience the difference, kindly visit our BIM Management Support page to discover how we can assist you.
Or, let’s grab lunch – no sales, no pushy pitches; just a friendly discussion on how to make your complex digital dreams a reality, one step at a time.
Just drop us a line to arrange a time that works best for you.
In Closing
By combining data, information and mathematical models, digital twins provide a dynamic and predictive representation of buildings.
That’s why now is the perfect time to get on board with this new technology and open up a world of possibilities for your projects.
Yes, it’s your time to embrace the future of building management with the power of digital twin building.
