{"id":21055,"date":"2025-04-24T17:31:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/?p=21055"},"modified":"2025-04-24T17:31:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:31:53","slug":"what-are-digital-twins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/blog\/what-are-digital-twins\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Digital Twins?"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\">Digital twins are emerging as an essential tool in construction and the built environment.\u00a0<\/strong><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\">In fact, Las Vegas\u00a0unveiled a digital twin\u00a0of a 7-square-kilometer section of its downtown in January 2022.<\/strong><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\">And the U.S.&#8217;s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021\u00a0specifically calls out investment\u00a0in digital construction tools, including 3D modeling and digital twin technology.<\/strong><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\">So what are digital twins and how are they used in the construction industry?<\/strong><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">What is a digital twin?<\/span><\/h1>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">A digital twin, also called data twin, is a digital representation of a real world object. Digital twins have many applications outside the built environment, and are used in the automotive, healthcare, systems engineering, and aerospace industries. For example, digital twin technology has been used to improve performance in Formula 1 racing and to improve care during surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">In fact, the\u00a0first data twin was used in 1970\u00a0during NASA&#8217;s Apollo 13 mission. When oxygen tanks exploded early into the mission, endangering the lives of the astronauts and the entire mission, it was a digital twin that helped Mission Control diagnose and solve the problem of the leaking tanks from 200,000 miles away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">In construction, a digital twin is an exact digital replica of a construction project or asset: A building or group of buildings, a bridge, a highway, a city block, or\u00a0even an entire city.\u00a0Digital twins in construction can also be called data twins, virtual models or even next-generation as-built drawings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\">How are digital twins for construction created?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\">Digital twins are created by gathering and combining real-world information about the building or structure using technologies such as 3D laser scanners, drones, sensors, cameras, and other IoT-related devices. When supported by IoT and AI, a digital twin is able to learn from multiple sources and automatically update to reflect adjustments made to its real-world counterpart.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Since a digital twin delivers information on the object\u2019s properties and states, information can include physical orientation (such as shape, position, gesture or motion), as well as insight into other statuses, interactions and updates &#8212; such as stress loads due to traffic or wind, or leaking pipes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\">How are digital twins for construction accessed?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\">Digital twins can be accessed through specialized software, such as\u00a0Trimble Connect,\u00a0Quadri,\u00a0Agile Assets,\u00a0or\u00a0Tekla.\u00a0These systems give project stakeholders a centralized, single source of truth for digital twin storage and sharing.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\">How are digital twins for construction kept current?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\">Digital twins are kept in sync with their corresponding physical assets through BIM and 3D modeling software, scanning, and point cloud data, surveying data, and any number of IoT sensors and devices that send information back to the twin in real time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Digital twins offer a crucial, analytic edge to BIM activity. By amassing data from several sources, and integrating that information into a 3D model, construction teams are able to gain acute insight into every component. With the aid of digital twin capabilities, BIM models are evolving to become \u201cliving,\u201d automatically updated representations of the physical assets they represent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Digital twins align the real world with the virtual world and help illuminate the impact the environment has on a given physical asset.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-21057 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"681\" height=\"798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f.png 1000w, https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f-256x300.png 256w, https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f-874x1024.png 874w, https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f-474x555.png 474w, https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/itemeditorimage_5fce786d6794f-600x703.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">How to use digital twins in construction<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\">The main benefit of digital twins within construction is that they help improve the analytical capabilities of\u00a0building information modeling (BIM).\u00a0Digital twin technology adds a new level of sophistication to BIM models, so that stakeholders can visualize the real-time status, working conditions, and position of physical assets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Thanks to digital twins, facility owners and managers are able to reconstruct every metric from a physical structure in a digital environment. Project teams can also experiment digitally and analyze expected outcomes before they make changes that impact the actual physical building, structure or work site.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Other benefits of digital twins in construction include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Resource Management<\/span>:<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0Digital twins make it possible to create an information pipeline between the office and the field. With the aid of automatic data delivery, project stakeholders can predict allocation issues and help balance labor costs with budgets. This helps the jobsite run more efficiently and affordably.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Connectivity<\/span>:<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0Digital twins deliver information in a centralized platform. This technology takes BIM a bit further by automatically updating\u00a03D models with constructible data. Component dimensions, model details, working conditions, and more can be added to content-enabled models. This way, no details get lost as a model evolves with the building over the years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">The benefits of digital twins don\u2019t end when the initial construction is complete. They continue to offer smart solutions to everyday asset use.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Value-added deliverable<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Digital twins can be handed over to the project owner to help support ongoing structural enhancements. Their insight can help inform future decision-making and offer invaluable insight into day-to-day operations. A digital twin can also be a value-added asset for clients looking to leverage data in future optimization projects.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Streamlined facility management<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Digital twins can offload much of the burden of asset management. For example, when a repair is needed, a digital twin can pinpoint problem areas and share necessary specs with techs. It can even keep track of who to bill for the work.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Ongoing improved efficiencies<\/span>:<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0To truly increase efficiency, you need to know how the facility is being used. KONE recently used digital twins to analyze how people are using elevators. Sensors were used to track how people moved through buildings. The goal: cut down elevator wait times, especially during busy mornings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Solving top challenges with digital twin use in construction projects\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Digital twins are complex. They rely on communication, collaboration, up-front work and real-time updates to be successful. It is well worth the time investment to avoid potential challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Here are some common digital twin problems and solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Problems<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Lack of connectivity<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Digital twin methods help elevate BIM to something more than CAD display. Unfortunately, BIM models are often created without use of as-built data. This results in a digital representation that isn\u2019t a true twin \u2014 one that can\u2019t be connected to the internet of things (IoT).<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Outdated information<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Too often, contractors don\u2019t update design models with change orders. Without accurate, real-time data, a digital twin can\u2019t work as intended.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Solutions<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Monitor progress<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Collect and share data across the entire construction workflow by using tools such as\u00a0managed content,\u00a0project management software and a\u00a0common data environment.\u00a0A consistent flow of information helps ensure important details don\u2019t get lost in translation as a model progresses.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400 !important;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><strong style=\"font-style: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Align data<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Compare design models with as-built structures to discover discrepancies using a\u00a03D laser scanner\u00a0and point cloud data. Use this information to inform future decisions and adjustments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight: 700 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Future of digital twins<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Digital twins are expected to keep transforming the construction industry. A\u00a0<\/span>2020 study\u00a0predicted the market for digital twins will increase to $48.2 billion by 2026.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Emerging technologies are making it possible to create more accurate digital models. Brian Ringley, construction technology manager from Boston Dynamics and a product manager for Spot the Dog,\u00a0says construction automation and robotics\u00a0will continue to evolve and be adopted by the industry. He sees digital twin starter sets as a possible money-maker for contractors. Digital smart asset systems will employ more mobile scanning robots (such as<\/span>\u00a0Spot) to capture real-time data \u2014 vital for successful digital twins.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Digital twin technology is also growing popular in urban modeling. Cities and municipalities are using digital twins to create smart cities. An entire city is digitized for planning purposes, including population growth and climate change modeling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400 !important;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">No matter how the technology is used, one fact remains: Digital twins enhance BIM capabilities by allowing truly\u00a0<\/span>constructible processes. Models that can track, store, and display complex data on-the-fly help deliver valuable, actionable information to all construction phases \u2014 and for years to come. From bidding to building, digital twins are the future of getting the job done.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Article from: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tekla.com\/\">www.tekla.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital twins are emerging as an essential tool in construction and the built environment.\u00a0 In &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":21056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.6.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What are Digital Twins? - bimsolutions.ge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bimsolutions.ge\/eng\/blog\/what-are-digital-twins\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What are Digital Twins? 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