BimScaler Blog – As we know, digital twins aren’t one-size-fits-all types of technology. That’s why there are different types of digital twins in construction.
These different digital twins – virtual copies of physical assets – are changing the construction industry by giving us better ways to monitor, control and optimize things.
That’s why we’re going to look at those different types and how they’re affecting things.
The Importance of Digital Twins in Modern Technology
Digital twins are a big step forward in combining digital and physical systems.
They let you exchange data in real time between a physical object and its digital twin, which helps you make better decisions and plan for maintenance.
In construction, digital twins help keep track of progress, manage resources, and make sure everything’s safe.
They’re really useful for simulating different scenarios, making processes more efficient and reducing risks, which helps to make projects more effective and sustainable.
As Tello and Degeler explain in their article, ‘Digital Twins: An Enabler for Digital Transformation’, the technology links the real and virtual worlds through continuous data exchange, enabling dynamic and evolving virtual models that adapt to real-world conditions.
This is really important for modern technology because it lets you monitor and optimize in real time, which is useful in lots of different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and urban planning.
For more on how digital twins can help, kindly read “How Digital Twins in Construction Become Your Project’s New Best Friend.”
How Many Types of Digital Twins Are There?
There are different types of digital twins in construction, each with their own characteristics and uses.
Asset Digital Twin or Product Digital Twin
Asset or product digital twins are basically virtual models of physical assets, like buildings or machinery.
They cover all the data related to the asset’s design, construction and operation.
By using IoT sensors and real-time data integration, these twins give us insights into how the asset is performing, which helps us to predict when it might need maintenance and to make sure it’s working as well as it can.
For example, a digital twin of a building can keep an eye on things like HVAC systems, structural integrity, and energy usage to make sure everything’s running as it should and cut costs.
Process Digital Twin
The idea behind process digital twins is to replicate construction processes.
These models help us to simulate and analyse workflows to identify inefficiencies and improve productivity.
By modelling processes like concrete pouring or assembly line production, project managers can see what might go wrong and make sure they have enough resources to get the job done on time.
This type of twin is particularly useful for large-scale projects, where making processes more efficient can lead to big savings in time and money.
Component Twin
Component twins are parts or components of a larger system. In construction, this could mean individual elements like beams, columns, or HVAC units.
These twins let us analyse and monitor critical components in detail, so we can make sure they’re performing as they should and are properly maintained.
By focusing on individual components, engineers can stop failures from happening that might affect the whole system.
System Twin
System twins bring together lots of different components and processes into one digital model of the whole system.
For instance, a system twin of a smart building might bring together the HVAC, electrical and structural systems, giving a full picture of how the building is performing.
This approach helps us manage complex systems more effectively, ensuring all parts work together efficiently and in harmony.
We also suggest you read “Archetypes of Digital Twins,” by Hendrik van der Valk and colleagues, to find out how digital twins need to be adjusted to suit different use cases. This leads to a whole range of digital twins configurations.
Comparison of Different Types of Digital Twins
Each type of digital twin has a different role to play, and when they’re used together, they can provide a solid foundation for managing construction projects from start to finish.
Asset twins take a broad view, looking at the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure asset.
They collect and crunch data from all kinds of sources, giving you a full picture of how your assets are doing, what maintenance they need, and where you can make them better.
On the other hand, process twins focus on the nitty-gritty of construction and operation.
They use simulations and analysis to identify bottlenecks, boost efficiency and make project timelines more efficient.
With component twins, we’re talking about the tiniest details of individual parts within a larger system.
By monitoring the performance of specific components, they can detect problems before they become costly failures and extend the asset’s lifespan.
Meanwhile, system twins give you a complete picture, showing how different parts of a building or infrastructure work together.
This gives you a great overview so you can manage energy use in the best way possible.
The type of digital twin you choose will depend on what you want to use it for and how much detail you need.
Asset twins are great for keeping an eye on everything and making sure everything’s running smoothly.
Process twins are good for making sure everything’s working as it should and making sure we’ve got the right resources in the right place at the right time.
Component twins are perfect for keeping an eye on the nitty-gritty of critical parts.
On the flip side, system twins are ideal for managing complex, interconnected systems and implementing advanced management strategies.
System twins need to integrate data from most sources because they have to capture and analyse data from lots of different places to get a full picture of how the system is working.
With component twins, you need to have specific data on each part to monitor how it’s performing and how healthy it is.
Asset and process twins are somewhere in between, with the level of data integration depending on the scope of the twin and the specific goals of the application.
To get started with digital twins from scratch, you can read “Building a Better Project: How to Create Digital Twins for Positive Impact.”
How to Get The Best Type of Digital Twins With Maximum Efficiency
As you can see, each type brings its own set of complexities. Without a doubt, each type can be beneficial to your projects, as long as you know how to use it.
So, the question is, do you know which types to use for your projects? Do you know how to use the type you’re working with?
This is something a lot of people run into. And yes, this is totally normal. In many cases, businesses don’t really know how to make the most of digital twins for their projects.
That’s why we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. We make sure our services fit your specific needs and goals.
Our team of experts will work with you to create and maintain accurate, high-impact digital twins that align perfectly with your objectives.
This means you’ll have less disruption and can start reaping the benefits of this transformative technology pretty quickly.
The main thing is that you’ll be able to see what’s going on with your assets in real-time, so you can spot and fix any problems before they get worse.
This proactive approach helps you avoid downtime, make your operations more efficient, and save money.
Now it’s time for a background check. So, just drop by our BIM Management Support page here.
Or, if you’d like to talk more, just drop us a line today to arrange a lunch and consultation. We’d love to show you what we can do for you.
In Closing
Every type of digital twin plays a different role in helping projects to succeed.
Choosing the right type of digital twin, or even combining a few, lets construction pros make the most of this technology.
By combining digital twin technology with services like those offered by BIM Scaler, construction professionals can achieve higher efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
This approach ensures every stage of construction benefits from the unique capabilities of the different types of digital twins.
