BIMScaler Blog – Digital twins in AEC industry provide real-time data integration and predictive simulations, enhancing decision-making throughout a project’s lifecycle.
This technology is crucial for Australia as it looks for new ways to cut operational costs and make its infrastructure more resilient.
Australian firms that adopt digital twins will see benefits in terms of operational efficiency, sustainability, and improved collaboration.
So, let’s break down why the digital twins are so transformative in architecture, engineering, and construction.
What is a Digital Twin in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction?
In the AEC industry, a digital twin is a virtual copy of a physical asset. It could be a building, a bridge, or even an entire city precinct.
Or, to put it another way, a digital twin is a kind of mirror of the real world, updated in real-time with data from sensors, IoT devices, and other sources.
This means the digital twin not only reflects the current state of the asset, but also simulates how it would behave and perform in different situations.
As César Flores-Rodríguez says in “Simplifying and Extending a Building’s Lifecycle With Digital-Twin Technology,” a digital twin is “a crucial tool that enhances collaboration, optimises performance monitoring, and informs better decision-making.”
By looking at different scenarios and seeing what happens, stakeholders can make better decisions about design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
This can lead to better efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.
Components of AEC digital twins
The digital twins in AEC industry are complex, interconnected systems, not just single entities.
They’re built on a solid base of data, drawing from lots of different sources to create a complete digital copy.
As the Geospatial World points out in its paper, “Unlocking The Potential Of Digital Twins For The AEC Industry,” Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the foundation.
BIM provides the initial geometric and spatial data that defines the virtual structure.
This static model is then brought to life by IoT sensors, which act as the nervous system of the digital twin.
They feed real-time information about the physical asset’s environment, performance, and usage patterns.
Let’s look at smart buildings in Sydney’s CBD as an example.
Sensors are put in different parts of the building to monitor things like temperature, humidity, how many people are in the building, and how much energy is being used. This data is sent back to the digital twin.
This lets facility managers keep an eye on how the building is performing in real time, and spot where there might be room for improvement.
The goal is for the facility manager to make data-driven decisions to make sure they’re using energy efficiently and making sure people are comfortable.
But the real power of a digital twin is not just about monitoring, but also about predicting.
This is where AI comes in. AI algorithms look at all the data from BIM and IoT sensors and spot patterns and trends that we wouldn’t necessarily see ourselves.
This means we can use the insights to predict what might happen in the future.
That way, we can plan and make sure we’re ready for anything.
We can also use it to make sure we’re using energy as efficiently as possible and even make improvements to designs for future projects.
It’s also worth mentioning that digital twins aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
As we saw in the engineering.com paper “Digital Twins Are the Next Evolution of BIM,” they can range from component twins representing individual building elements to process twins that model complex workflows and interactions.
This flexibility means digital twins can be tailored to suit a project’s needs.
For example, they can be used to optimize the energy performance of a commercial high-rise or predict maintenance needs for aging infrastructure.
Learn more: A Various Budget of Digital Twins Applications: From Healthcare to Space
How Digital Twins Differ from BIM
Although they’re often confused with BIM, digital twins can do things beyond what traditional BIM models can.
BIM is mainly used in the design and construction phases. It offers a 3D visualisation of a project and makes it easier for different teams to work together.
But digital twins take it a step further by combining real-time operational data and IoT feedback into a constantly updated model.
BIM stops at the handover of a project, but a digital twin keeps on evolving, supporting ongoing maintenance and lifecycle management.
As the engineering.com paper explains, digital twins use predictive analytics and what-if scenarios to keep an eye on how buildings are performing long-term.
This new approach gives Australian project managers a more dynamic way to keep buildings performing well long after construction is finished.
Digital Twin Lifecycle in AEC Projects
The lifecycle of a digital twin spans the entirety of a building’s existence, from its conception through design, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning.
The Geospatial World report says the use of digital twin technology fits in with the wider goals of Industry 4.0 and sustainable building practices.
During the design phase, digital twins help us to make any necessary tweaks to the architectural plans through simulation and analysis.
In construction, they keep an eye on how things are going and make sure everyone’s following the safety rules.
Once the building is up and running, data is fed into the digital twin in real time, so it can be monitored continuously for structural integrity, energy usage and other key metrics.
This data can help make buildings last longer by letting you spot problems before they become expensive to fix.
For instance, if you add HVAC data to the twin, engineers can compare how the building actually performs against the design plan.
This helps them make sure the building is as energy-efficient as it can be and that the people inside it are comfortable.
Throughout these stages, digital twins act as a central hub for collaboration, data collection, and optimisation.
Learn more: Digital Twin and IoT: Process, Types, Applications, and Combine on Budget
How to Get Digital Twins in AEC Industry with Limited Resources?
The idea of adopting digital twin technology might seem a bit intense. There’s no doubt – the challenges are as big as the benefits.
But, the great news is there are ways to get the most out of this powerful tool without spending a fortune.
One way to do this is to team up with a BIM management service provider like BIM Scaler.
At BIM Scaler, we can help you get digital twins up and running smoothly with a range of services, including Revit modelling, digital engineering, model auditing, and content creation.
By getting experts to take care of the more specialised tasks, you can get the benefits of digital twin technology without having to spend a lot upfront on infrastructure and staff.
This way, you can focus on what you do best while BIM Scaler takes care of your digital twins.
When you’re ready to see the difference for yourself, kindly take a look at our BIM Management Support page to find out how we can help.
Or, let’s grab lunch – no sales, no pushy pitches; just a friendly talk about how to make your complex digital dreams a reality, one step at a time.
Just drop us a line to arrange a time that suits you.
In Closing
The digital twins in the Australian AEC industry offer some pretty amazing opportunities to optimise the whole lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure.
That’s why it’s a great idea to get on board with digital twin technology. It’ll help you stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the digital age.
But, as we know, challenges are part and parcel of the digital twins in the AEC industry, and we at BIM Scaler are ready for anything.
