Analysis of Digital Twins in the Construction

Industry: Current Trends and Applications

Vanessa Saback1(B) , Cosmin Popescu1,2 , Björn Täljsten1 , and Thomas Blanksvärd1

1 Luleå University of Technology (LTU), Luleå, Sweden
[email protected]
2 SINTEF Narvik AS, 8517 Narvik, Norway

Abstract. The construction industry has a significant impact in terms of financial

and environmental resources but is vastly behind other sectors in terms of digital-
ization. The potential of this industry to be improved by new technology has been
reflected in huge trends in research for terms such as “digital twins”. However, the
purpose of such technologies and how they can be applied to specific needs and
assets in the construction sector is not always clear. This paper proposes an anal-
ysis of the purpose, current and future states of digital twins in the construction
industry, based on a review of the evolution of research in the topic and recent mar-
ket applications. Even though there is a discrepancy between research and level
of development of tangible applications, it is undeniable that the digital transfor-
mation will reach the construction industry. The efforts should then be focused
on technology that can be translated to its assets, such as smart management, and
will generate tangible results that can survive outside the theoretical realm.

Keywords: Digital Twins · Construction Industry · Construction Sector · Smart

Infrastructure · BIM

1 Introduction
The construction industry is simultaneously one of the largest in the world and one of the
least digitized sectors [1, 2]. By 2030, the volume of construction output is expected to
grow by 85% to $15.5 trillion, with China, India, and the US accounting for 57% of that
growth [2]. At the same time, by 2025 it is predicted that full-scale digitalization will lead
to annual global cost savings of 13–21% in the design, engineering, and construction
phases, and 10–17% over the operations phase [1]. Therefore, there is still a great deal
of unexplored potential to bring the digital transformation to a rapidly growing industry,
which is expected to lead to significant savings in resources.
Bringing transformation to the construction industry usually takes time, as its assets
have long life spans, and the sector can be quite resistant to change. However, the sector
must find ways to adapt, as the era of digital transformation is already a reality. The
existing small-scale intelligent physical worlds, like smart factories, intelligent cruise
ships and automated ports, will grow into smart neighborhoods, cities, and countries,
where massive digital twins will mirror physical reality [3]. Digital twin technology is

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023

A. Ilki et al. (Eds.): fib Symposium 2023, LNCE 350, pp. 1080–1088, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32511-3_110
 Analysis of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry 1081

believed to be the answer to the main challenges the construction sector faces: poor
productivity and profitability, timing and budget issues, shortages of skilled labor, and
sustainability concerns [2]. The global digital twin market, valued at $3.21 billion in
2020, is expected to reach $184.5 billion by 2030 [3].
In this context of high trust in the potential of digital twins associated with huge mone-
tary prospects to the industry, the research on the topic has skyrocketed – as demonstrated
in Sect. 2. When a new technology trend emerges, other industries are more advanced
in its development by the time it normally takes to reach the construction sector. Once
it does, it usually starts in academia, where time and resources can be focused on ana-
lyzing how the technology can be translated to solving the industry’s needs and issues,
and results can be more transparently shared. Making up for lost time and catching up
to other sectors then results in a peak in research. However, there is often not enough
time to evaluate if the advantages of a trendy technology are translatable to the needs
and assets of a segment. It is important to consider whether people in the frontline will
adopt it, if the investment is properly directed to where it can make a difference, and if
that technology is overall necessary for the purpose it is being investigated.
This paper proposes a discussion on what is the purpose of digital twins in the
construction industry, especially within civil structures. The growing body of research
generated a buzz around the term, but there is still misconception of the scope of a digital
twin for the sector. A brief review of the advances in digital twin applications in other
industries is presented, followed by a discussion on why and how they can be translated
to the needs and challenges of the construction segment. The future of digital twins is
also reviewed and later discussed through the lenses of civil engineering.

2 Digital Twin Research

A digital twin is a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle,
is updated from real-time data, and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to
help decision-making [4]. In 2020, a systematic literature review study [5] focused on
digital twins for asset management of bridges performed searches in Scopus following
a structured method. The method consisted in dividing the topic in strings of research
in five groups of words: BIM (Building Information Modelling), bridges, digital twins,
management, and maintenance. Sixteen searches were performed with different combi-
nations of the keywords for each group: one with the five groups, five with four groups,
and ten with three groups of keywords. The results were limited by time of publication in
a range from 2010 to 2020. This process was now repeated for this study, with a new time
constraint for the sixteen searches from 2021–2023. By calculating the average number
of papers published per month in each search combination, and comparing the results
from 2010–2020 and 2021–2023, the number of publications has increased enormously.
The main difference was between groups that contained and did not contain the keywords
for “digital twins”. The highest increase for a combination including the keywords for
“digital twins” was almost 4000%, while the increase in combinations without “digital
twins” did not reach 500%. This analysis quantitatively shows how digital twins have
significantly grown as a subject of interest in academia, due to the appeal and demand
from the industry.
1082 V. Saback et al.

Figure 1 presents a graph with the percentual increase from 2010–2020 to 2021–
2023 in published papers per month for combinations 1–16. Below the graph in Fig. 1, a
table is found with the respective groups of keywords present in each search. Identified
in grey, with much lower percentual increase, are the combinations that did not contain
the keywords for “digital twins”.

% increase in papers/month
4000%
3500%
3000%
2500%
2000%
1500%
1000%
500%
0%
Combinations: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
BIM X X X X X X X X X X X
BRIDGES X X X X X X X X X X X
DIGITAL TWINS X X X X X X X X X X X
MANAGEMENT X X X X X X X X X X X
MAINTENANCE X X X X X X X X X X X

Fig. 1. Percentual increase in papers published per month from 2010–2020 to 2021–2023, in 16
different keyword combinations.

3 Digital Twin Applications

New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and pre-
dictive analytics have expanded the use of digital twins in several industries beyond its
original intended purpose of manufacturing and engine design [6]. Digital twins provide
a platform that allows collecting, storing, managing, and sharing data between stake-
holders, facilitating its transfer, and ensuring its preservation. Companies can use digital
twins to reduce costs by testing new ideas and assets before launching them, as it is more
expensive to rectify any problems once something is operational [2].
Digital twin technology can improve the safety of an oil rig, improve the efficiency
of a production plant, or ensure that a building meets sustainability or regulatory require-
ments [2]. In this section, digital twins’ potential and challenges, level categorization
and examples of applications in different industries are presented.

3.1 Digital Twins: Potential, Challenges, and Levels

In engineering, digital twins bring an additional dimension to management processes

(visits, inspections, training) previously limited by manual and 2D tools, as they provide a
platform for augmented and virtual reality views that are intuitive, data-rich, and accurate
[7]. For new buildings, safety, practicality, and sustainability can be tested within the
 Analysis of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry 1083

simulation environment, providing accurate feedback that would mirror the outcome of
a test in real life [2]. These improvements reduce time and resources while increasing
safety, by preventing workers from physically attending environments that might be
dangerous.
In manufacturing, digital twins allow companies to better predict when a particular
component or machine will need to be serviced or replaced, so costly and unforeseen
production downtime can be avoided, and repairs can be better planned [8]. This advan-
tage goes beyond manufacturing, as using predictive learning technology from current
condition information to identify failures before they happen, and offer solutions on
how to prevent them, can be applied to operation and maintenance of different assets
[2]. This kind of digitalization means stakeholders can access data on demand and in
a graphic format that allows for deeper insights than a traditional CAD instance or
computer dashboard [7].
Companies have stated that the main challenges faced when building a functional
digital twin are understanding the best technology options available, cutting-edge exper-
tise required in different areas, and data-related issues (amount of data, continuous data
updates, multiple data sources, securing clean and complete data) [6–8]. As a digital
twin is such a comprehensive task to achieve, it is common that companies divide them
in different levels of development. Table 1 presents the level classification for digital
twins in four different institutions: B&N, AFRY, IBM and Autodesk.

3.2 Applications: Examples

Digital twins can help improve efficiency within complicated machinery and engines,
like jet turbines, automobiles, aircraft, and other mechanically complex projects [4].
They also excel at helping streamline process efficiency, like in industrial environments
with co-functioning machine systems and manufacturing projects [4]. Therefore, digital
twin applications are constantly expanding as they can succeed in several sectors, such
as: engineering (systems), automobile, aerospace, building construction, power utilities,
health, manufacturing industry, energy, and smart cities [4, 11]. This subsection brings
different examples of real digital twin applications used by companies across different
industries.
In 2022, the managing director at Accenture Technology Vision has cited two exam-
ples of the expanding possibilities in the applications of digital twins [6]. In the first, a
Ski Resort is using a digital twin to monitor real-time weather conditions and improve ski
conditions, and Port of Rotterdam has built a digital twin that tracks ship and container
movements and is being used to optimize operations [6].
BMW has built digital twins of 31 different factories, in which real-time data is
used to recreate a 3D environment that mirrors everything from the machines on the
floor to the people working at stations [3]. This environment is used for a wide range of
functions, including training robots to navigate the factory, bringing together designers
from across the globe to experiment with new line layouts and training simulations for
individual tasks [3].
Ericsson developed a digital twin for a network simulation study, in which data
about the city environment was collected – detailed to the level of building materials,
roof shapes and windows –, imported, and used to create a set of simulated models [12].
1084 V. Saback et al.

Table 1. Levels of Digital Twins by B&N, AFRY, IBM and Autodesk [4, 8–10].

Levels B&N [9] AFRY [8] IBM [4] Autodesk [10]

Level 0 - Unconnected digital - -
simulation model, an
aid to design the
object or simulate
how it responds to
different scenarios
Level 1 Virtual, static, 3D Smart: digital Component twins: Descriptive twin:
“snapshot” of a simulation model basic unit of digital visual replica with
specific moment connected to the real twin, the smallest live, editable design
object in real time, example of a and construction data,
able to present results functioning including 3D models
to the user in a component and BIM
value-based way
Level 2 Virtual, fully Smart: the digital twin Asset twins: Informative twin:
integrated; remotely can diagnose how the interaction of increased integration
monitors and controls object is operating components that with sensors and
a facility right now generates operations data for
performance data that insights at any given
can be processed and time
turned into actionable
insights
Level 3 - Smart: the digital twin System twins: Predictive twin:
can forecast and provide visibility captures real-time
calculate when parts regarding the data, contextual data,
of the object will have interaction of assets and analytics to
a reduced function or and may suggest identify potential
getting a downtime performance issues
enhancements
Level 4 - Intelligent: with Process twins: can Comprehensive twin:
built-in AI and ML, evaluate interaction advanced modeling
the twin proposes between systems and and simulation for
actions itself help determine the potential future
precise timing scenarios, prescriptive
schemes that analytics, and
ultimately influence recommendations
overall effectiveness
Level 5 - Intelligent: the digital - Autonomous twin: can
twin takes its own learn and make
decisions and handles decisions through AI;
the object itself. At advanced algorithms
this level, it replaces for simulation and 3D
operators and visualization
employees

On the left side, Fig. 2 shows a car connected to Ericsson’s cellular network driving
down a street in Stockholm; on the right side, the digital twin dynamically illustrates
 Analysis of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry 1085

the resulting massive multiple-input, multiple-output antenna, and signal propagation

paths, thereby making it possible to analyze them [12].

Fig. 2. Network digital twin example by Ericsson [12].

Within civil engineering, Digital Twins enable engineers to keep track of roadways,
bridges, pipelines, wastewater treatment plants, and other infrastructure assets that need
regular inspection and maintenance [9]. For example, B&N employs virtual, static 3D
level Digital Twins for bridge inspection [9]. However, “static level” means that what is
provided is a snapshot highlighting the current condition of an asset at a specific moment,
rather than a continuous monitoring situation as in other given examples. In this case,
engineers capture the 3D model using a drone to scan the structure, replicating the asset,
and these Digital Twins can be used for quantity take-off and construction scheduling [9].
This technology was applied in the Waterholes Canyon Bridge inspection in Arizona:
a static digital twin was created via drone scanning to track surface area deficiencies
in the replicated bridge at that moment, so that engineers can compare and monitor the
deficiencies in the next inspection within a few years [9]. B&N also replicated the Jackson
Pike wastewater treatment plant to provide a comprehensive view of the facility’s current
condition and recommend design upgrades to extend the plant’s life [9].

4 Future of Digital Twins

Now, like it was in the early years of the web, businesses are racing towards a future utterly
different from the one they were designed for [3]. Over the next decade, nearly every
environment in which companies do business will be transformed, and the expectation is
that digital twins will be used to invent products, design experiences, and run businesses
in completely different ways [3]. Another relevant component of this transformation is
augmented reality: by combining AR glasses and digital twins is clear, any environment
can be made digital or overlaid with a digital experience [3].
Much of what is seen as digital twin applications now still speaks in terms of what
it can do, and how it can improve current processes, so it is easy to get a picture of
what a future with digital twins will look like. From the applications exemplified in the
previous section, digital twins can make investments more profitable, streamline the use
of resources and optimize the urban environment in the smart cities of the future [8].
1086 V. Saback et al.

For civil engineering systems, this digitalization is not only an improvement from an
overall design perspective, but also embodies the backbone of the logical next step of the
infrastructural management system, i.e., smart infrastructure [13]. Smart infrastructure
is defined as the integration of a sensing network, which provides real-time digital
information about the state of an asset, with physical infrastructure to improve decision
making and management of infrastructure assets [13, 14].
Even if it takes longer for processes within civil engineering to adapt to new tech-
nology, it is almost inconceivable to visualize a future for infrastructure management
that does not include technology such as BIM and digital twins, considering the amount
of technology already available. It might still take time before the technology reduces
comparatively in value, so that it is more broadly adopted inside the industry and the
investments have clearer returns. Besides, due to safety concerns and to facilitate dissem-
ination, processes in construction require standardization, which also takes time. There-
fore, these are the expected next steps in the future of digital twins in the construction
industry.

5 Discussion

While digital twins are prized for what they offer, not every object is complex enough to
need the intense and regular flow of sensor data that they require, nor is it always worth
the investment from a financial standpoint [4]. Creating a functional digital replica of an
asset updated in real time is an expensive venture. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect
upon the benefits of investing in a digital twin and how to translate them to specific
assets.
In the automotive industry, for example, a need for efficiency in the production of
repeatable products justifies investing in the ability of mirroring fabrication. In aerospace,
that is the case mostly due to the very high cost per object produced and the concern
with safety. In the construction industry, assets usually are unique and have very long life
spans, much longer than automobiles and aircrafts in general. Therefore, investments in
digital twins should focus more on improving maintenance of these structures, as their
service life greatly surpasses their construction time. Life cycle assessment of structures
aiming at prolonging their life spans is more resource-effective both financially and
environmentally than replacing them entirely. Amongst the multitude of approaches to
structural health monitoring as a mean to increase service life of structures, the digital
twin is gaining increasing attention [13]. Based on the current reality of other industries,
as well as the predictions for the future, digital twins applied to smart infrastructure
and smart management is the optimal focus for the purpose of this technology in the
construction industry.
One aspect that is more difficult to translate to infrastructure as an asset is the two-
way data flow of a digital twin. Digital twins are designed around a two-way flow
of information that first occurs when object sensors provide relevant data to the system
processor and then happens again when insights created by the processor are shared back
with the original source object [4]. So far, in this situation the flow from the digital back
to the physical would occur indirectly by the maintenance activities that are triggered
by the insights from the sensor data in the digital twin.
 Analysis of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry 1087

Autodesk defends that BIM is the most efficient path to the creation of an accurate,
high-value digital twin [10]. BIM is currently used mostly for planning, design, and pre-
construction purposes, despite its significant unexplored potential post-construction.
A digital twin extends data capture to the construction and operational phases of the
asset—and can also inform planning and design for future projects [10].

6 Conclusion
This study analyzed the purpose, current and future states of digital twins in the construc-
tion industry, based on a review of the evolution of research in the topic and recent market
applications. Tangible examples of real applications of functioning digital twins are not
yet widely available. Still much of what is published about digital twins speaks in terms
of what it “can do” to improve current processes, even in reports or articles published
by companies. This type of publication was the main source for this specific research
due to its purpose of identifying the most recent advances reported by the industry.
The discrepancy between the increased research on digital twins, demonstrated in
Fig. 1, and the number of actual digital twins in operation might be due to a number of
reasons. The technological challenge might still be too big, or technology too expensive to
tackle for most companies. Companies might be investing in digital twins to fit specific
needs, which makes it harder to propagate the technology and share the intellectual
property. However, considering the huge trend in research, the confidence level on digital
twins both in academia and in the industry, and the evolution technology is taking on
every aspect of daily life, it is undeniable that this digital transformation will be a reality
even for the construction industry. The main point then is to focus the efforts on what
makes sense to the industry, invest on technology that can be translated to specific needs
of its assets, and will generate tangible results that can survive outside the theoretical
realm, regardless of trends and buzzwords.

Acknowledgements. This work was carried out within the strategic innovation program
InfraSweden2030, a joint venture by Vinnova, Formas and The Swedish Energy Agency. The
work is also funded by SBUF (construction industry’s organization for research and development
in Sweden) and Skanska Sweden.

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