Digital Twin for Smart Buildings: Enabling Technologies, Lifecycle Applications, and Emerging Frontiers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62051/ebemay39Keywords:
Digital Twin; BIM; Smart Building; IoT; Lifecycle Application.Abstract
Digital Twin (DT) is an advanced evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM) that allows interactive data management throughout the life cycle of smart buildings. This systematic review aims to argue that the evolution from static BIM to interactive DTs can be described in five evolutionary stages due to the breakthroughs in data protocols, rendering, and interaction modalities. Furthermore, by leveraging IoT, real-time analytics, and AI, DTs can improve the simulation, monitoring, and optimization of the building's life cycle in the design, construction, and operation stages. This systematic review investigates the technological evolution from static BIM to interactive digital twins and discusses the supporting technologies, including open data protocols, real-time rendering, and immersive interaction modalities. This study also addresses the five main application areas, including collaborative design, construction supervision, and predictive maintenance, and discusses the existing challenges related to data interoperability, model accuracy, and cybersecurity. In the future, breakthroughs in AI, extended reality (XR), scalable platforms, and urban-scale digital twins will drive the development of this field. Looking forward, the review identifies that the combination of AI, extended reality (XR), and scalable platforms will drive the development of this field. Despite existing challenges, this systematic review argues that DTs will become a key enabler of digitalization in the AEC industry to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, sustainability, and intelligence.
Downloads
References
[1] Eneyew, Dagimawi D., Miriam AM Capretz, and Girma T. Bitsuamlak. Toward smart-building digital twins: BIM and IoT data integration. IEEE Access, 2022, 10: 130487 - 130506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3229370
[2] Sepasgozar, Samad ME, et al. BIM and digital twin for development convergence technologies as the future of digital construction. Buildings, 2023, 13 (2): 441. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020441
[3] Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkhaneh, Milad, et al. Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Twin (DT) in the construction industry: A review, bibliometric, and network analysis. Buildings, 2022, 12 (10): 1503. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101503
[4] Tang, Shu, et al. A review of building information modeling (BIM) and the internet of things (IoT) devices integration: Present status and future trends. Automation in construction, 2019, 101: 127 - 139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.01.020
[5] Omrany, Hossein, et al. The uptake of City Information Modeling (CIM): A comprehensive review of current implementations, challenges and future outlook. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 2023, 12 (5): 1090 - 1116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2022-0116
[6] Boje, Calin, et al. Towards a semantic Construction Digital Twin: Directions for future research. Automation in construction, 2020, 114: 103179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103179
[7] Ranawaka, Ama, et al. Leveraging the Synergy of Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Power Grids: A Scopus Review. Energies, 2024, 17 (21): 5342 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215342
[8] Jiang, Feng, et al. Digital twin and its implementations in the civil engineering sector. Automation in Construction, 2021, 130: 103838. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103838
[9] Opoku, De-Graft Joe, et al. Digital twin application in the construction industry: A literature review. Journal of Building Engineering, 2021, 40: 102726. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102726
[10] Liu Gang, Ma Zhiliang, Zeng Bo, Tan Xiao, Song Yinyuan. A Review on the Application of Digital Twin Technology in Construction Engineering. Journal of Information Technology in Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2023, 15 (6), 1 - 8.
[11] Lu, Qiuchen, et al. Semi-automatic geometric digital twinning for existing buildings based on images and CAD drawings. Automation in Construction, 2020, 115: 103183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103183
[12] Flora, Matthias, Georg Fröch, and Werner Gächter. Optimierung des Baumanagements im Untertagebau mittels digitaler Infrastruktur‐Informationsmodelle. Bautechnik, 2020, 97 (11): 780 - 788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bate.201900095
[13] Zhang, Ye, et al. Digital twin in computational design and robotic construction of wooden architecture. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2021, (1): 8898997. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8898997
[14] Liu Zhanhe, Shi Guoliang, Sun Jiajia. Digital Twin Technology and Its Application in Intelligent Construction. Industrial Construction, 2021, 51 (3), 184 - 192.
[15] Gerhard, Detlef, Matthias Neges, and Mario Wolf. Transfer of digital twin concepts to the production of precast concrete parts in the construction industry. ZWF Zeitschrift fuer Wirtschaftlichen Fabrikbetrieb 115 (2020): 58 - 61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3139/104.112313
[16] Xie Xianqi, Deng Liming, Xiao Mingzhao, et al. Research on the Development of a New Generation of Construction Quality and Safety Management. Strategic Study of CAE, 2021, 23 (4), 71 - 78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15302/J-SSCAE-2021.04.008
[17] Tran, Ha, et al. A digital twin approach for geometric quality assessment of as-built prefabricated façades. Journal of Building Engineering, 2021, 41: 102377. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102377
[18] Xie Linlin, Chen Yajiao. Research on an Intelligent Scheduling Management Platform for Prefabricated Construction Projects Based on BIM and Digital Twin Technology. Construction Economics, 2020, 41 (9), 44 - 48.
[19] Lee, Dongmin, et al. Integrated digital twin and blockchain framework to support accountable information sharing in construction projects. Automation in construction, 2021, 127: 103688. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103688
[20] Khajavi, Siavash H., et al. Digital twin: vision, benefits, boundaries, and creation for buildings. IEEE Access, 2019, 7: 147406 - 147419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2946515
[21] Lin, Yu-Cheng, and Weng-Fong Cheung. Internet of Things (IoT) and internet-enabled physical devices for Construction 4.0. Construction 4.0. Routledge, 2020, 350 - 369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429398100-18
[22] Lu, Qiuchen, et al. Activity theory-based analysis of BIM implementation in building O&M and first response. Automation in Construction, 2018, 85: 317 - 332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.017
[23] Shim, Chang-Su, et al. Development of a bridge maintenance system for prestressed concrete bridges using 3D digital twin model. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 2019, 15 (10): 1319 - 1332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2019.1620789
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Transactions on Engineering and Technology Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
