How Are Digital Twins Used In Construction

What if you could cut a building’s carbon emissions in half—before it’s even built?

That’s the promise of digital twin technology.

By creating a virtual replica of a construction project, digital twins let engineers, architects, and contractors simulate and test everything—from energy efficiency to material choices—before a single brick is laid.

In fact, research shows that using digital twins can reduce a building’s carbon emissions by up to 50%.

In this blog, we’ll break down how digital twin technology is used in construction—from smarter planning to sustainable operations—and why it’s becoming the new blueprint for the future of building.

Digital twins are smart construction solutions for builders and construction project managers. This technology creates a digital version of buildings or any construction site, which is used for monitoring and stimulating planning purposes.

In the construction industry, people face different challenges and complexities in operations, such as planning, designing, safety measurements, and much more. A digital twin model of physical assets will help them by providing them with real-time insights from building by testing or interacting with digital models in different situations.

Let’s understand in detail about digital twins and how digital twins are used in construction.

Digital twin technology is becoming a core part of construction. This technology is making construction projects effective and efficient in many ways. From designing to finding loopholes in construction, digital twins are benefiting builders.

Here are three primary use cases which we are going to discuss in detail:

Virtual models of physical assets

Creating virtual replicas of physical assets is one of the most significant advantages of having digital twins in construction. This twin technology is used to create virtual copies of buildings, infrastructure, and machinery with the help of different technologies like IoT sensors and BIM.

All the different technologies are used to get the data required to create a digital twin of a construction asset or site. Let’s understand how these technologies help in building digital twins:

• IoT sensors: These sensors are used to gain information about the building in real-time. For example, IoT sensors can track electricity usage and temperature of busiling by monitoring the building continuously. Further, these data will allow you to create the accurate digital twin of that building.

• Business Information Model: BIM Models are used to get characteristics of the physical asset like building or machinery. It includes materials, components, metrics , and very physical and functional details of the building. Further these BIM models are integrated with IoT sensors to combine both data and build the foundation of digital twin of building.

• Other technologies: Apart from IoT and BIMs, there are a few more common technologies that are used in building an effective digital twin in construction. Cloud and edge computing are used for optimizing digital twins for cloud storage. AR and VR technologies allow you to interact with digital twins more effectively.

2. Construction Simulation

Digital twins carry a high potential for simulating complex physical assets in construction. With such simulation capabilities of Digital Twin, you can effectively understand the behaviour of any building or infrastructure under different conditions. Also, such simulation can be used for planning designs and testing design alternatives, allowing you and other stakeholders to get complete insight.

For example, you can check the project timelines and completion time under different circumstances like climatic changes or resource shortages.

3. Construction site monitoring

Digital Twins are created to monitor the entire construction project in real time while it's connected to real world projects. Such continuous monitoring is beneficial for making design modifications or implementing crucial safety measures without indulging in the real construction process.

With this twin technology, remote tracking has made it possible for you to monitor the construction project from anywhere at any time and manage construction risks proactively.

Since the inception of the digital twin in construction, it has been considered no less than any asset for construction companies. You know, according to Forrester, research highlights around 55% of global software technology decision-makers are actively using digital twin technology. So, let’s understand the benefits of digital twins used in construction.

1. Improved project efficiency and timeliness

The digital twin model undoubtedly improves project efficiency. It is very convenient for understanding complex physical assets without evaluating real ones, which is often time-consuming and expensive.

From planning to making post-implementation modifications, the digital twin allows you to do everything virtually and understand its impact without impacting the actual building. Since the digital twin works in real-time, you can make infrastructure modifications and identify any possible threat before it arises. This also helps you complete all your project commitments within the project timeline.

2. Advanced Construction Visualization

Viewing complex construction assets is not easy, even with images or videos. Visualization is a crucial process for understanding the building or machinery and implementing planned construction; otherwise, a small mistake in the building can pose a great threat.

But the digital twin technology is way more advanced than images or videos. With the twin technology, you and other stakeholders can view the physical asset through 3D models and real-time data integrations. Such advanced visualization allows them to make rightful and intelligent decisions during projects for better outcomes.

3. Enhanced Collaboration & communication

Different stakeholders, such as architects, project managers, and engineers, collaborate and provide combined opinions during construction projects, which is essential for project success. In one way or another, digital twin technology allows them to communicate clearly and collaborate with transparent and real-time data received from the physical asset.

Simultaneously, the digital twin also helps everyone to stay connected and work together on the same page, avoiding mistakes and confusion in the project.

4. Cost Saving through Resource Optimization

Cost is another crucial factor affecting the project's overall outcome. Digital twins allow project managers to gain data-driven insights into construction assets or sites, which helps them predict the raw materials, machinery, equipment, and labor required for the project.

With the help of digital twin technology, project managers can optimize their resources meaningfully and plan their project budgets effectively, saving them from cost overruns.

5. Improved safety and risk management

Identifying threats after their occurrence in construction projects can result in huge expenses and increased chances of infrastructural damage to property. Here, the digital twin technology allows project managers and engineers to identify possible risks by simulating different construction scenarios.

Any unusual behaviour of physical assets, equipment, or workers on the project site will be tracked with the help of a digital twin and evaluated to identify any possibility of threat. Likewise, these systems are trained to alert and send reminders during such unusual activities.

Suggested read: Benefits of digital twins

Let’s understand the application of digital twins in different areas of the construction process.

Design and Planning:

• Digital twins help architects and engineers see what the final design will look like before construction starts.

• They can test different designs in a virtual world, spotting issues and making changes early on.

• It’s a great way to get feedback and refine the design before any work begins.

Construction Project Management:

• Digital twins track the progress of a project, from milestones to budgets and timelines.

• They give real-time updates so project managers can adjust plans, allocate resources, and stay on schedule.

• It makes managing the project smoother and helps avoid delays or cost overruns.

Facility Management and Maintenance:

• After the building is done, digital twins keep track of how everything’s functioning.

• They can predict when something like an HVAC system or elevator might need maintenance.

• This helps keep the building running efficiently and reduces unexpected breakdowns.

Infrastructure Monitoring:

• Digital twins can watch over big projects like bridges or tunnels, checking their condition over time.

• They spot wear and tear early, giving alerts before anything serious happens.

• Predictive maintenance helps make sure the infrastructure stays safe and lasts longer.

Implementing digital twin technology in construction comes with several challenges that need to be addressed for smooth adoption.

1. Data Integration Issues

One of the main challenges with digital twins is combining data from different sources like sensors, IoT devices, and BIM. These systems collect data in different ways, making it tough to integrate them into one model. If the data doesn’t sync properly, the digital twin won’t be accurate. The solution is using digital twin software that can merge all this data into a single, reliable model.

2. High Initial Setup Costs

Setting up a digital twin can be expensive. You need to invest in technology, software, and training. Though the initial cost is high, digital twins save money in the long run by improving efficiency and reducing errors. While it takes time to see a return, the long-term benefits usually make it worth the investment.

3. Complexity in Maintenance

Once set up, digital twins need regular updates to stay accurate, especially as construction projects change. This requires skilled staff to manage the updates. Without proper maintenance, the digital twin can become outdated and unreliable, making it important to keep it current throughout the project.

Seeing digital twin benefits and applications in construction, you would have understood that digital twin has created a significant impact and is developing into a more advanced technology.

1. Advancements in AI and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning will make digital twins even more powerful. These technologies can help predict problems before they happen by analyzing data and spotting patterns. This means digital twins will not just show what’s happening now but also help plan for the future. With digital twin and AI, decisions can be made faster, and some tasks can even be automated, making the whole process smoother and more efficient.

2. Integration with Other Technologies

Digital twins are becoming even more useful by teaming up with other technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain. For example, using AR/VR with digital twins can help people visualize designs and walk through a project before it’s built. This makes it easier to catch problems early and improve designs. Blockchain can also keep data secure and make sure everything is accurate. All these technologies together will make digital twins even better at helping with construction projects.

3. Sustainability and Smart Cities

Digital twins will play a big part in creating smarter, more sustainable cities. They can help buildings use less energy and resources by analyzing data and finding ways to improve efficiency. Digital twins can also track the environmental impact of a project, helping builders meet sustainability goals. As cities get smarter, digital twins will be key in managing things like traffic and energy use, making urban spaces more efficient and better for the environment.

Digital twin technology in construction increases project efficiency and helps builders improve the outcome without optimising resource allocations and reducing unnecessary costs. With the digital version of the building, machinery, bridges, or any physical asset, you can assess the building without actually interacting with real ones.

Likewise, many digital twin companies are available that provide guidance on using digital twin technology in construction.

Want to stay ahead in the digital twin game? Let Toobler help you build a smarter, more efficient future for your construction projects.

Contact us now to learn how Toobler's digital twin software for business may advance your company!