Digital twin technologies, which involve the use of multiple technologies to create virtual simulations of real-life systems, are increasingly being utilized in the construction industry to address supply chain and labor challenges. These technologies allow for the simulation of processes, workflows, and timelines, enabling contractors to identify and address bottlenecks.
Mark Driscoll, senior director at AMC Bridge, emphasizes that digital twins can predict system issues before they occur, saving time and money by avoiding shutdowns and facilitating better planning for modifications. They also allow for testing under various conditions and environments.
Suffolk Construction, based in Boston, uses digital twins for greater visibility into potential material or labor issues, especially in lab and healthcare projects. Geoff Camp, the company’s manager of process innovation, notes that digital assets used during design offer more predictability in materials needed and help in planning labor resources and construction sequences.
Dome Construction’s Shane Flanagan points out the usefulness of digital twins in clarifying and quantifying raw materials needed, particularly for projects like wet labs where procurement can take extended periods.
Sensat, a visualization and collaboration software company, has utilized digital twin tools for complex projects like the Canada Water site in London. This technology enabled British Land to better understand the site, facilitating feasibility reporting and risk evaluations.
Adoption of digital twin technologies varies. Thomas Whiting, managing director at Amodal, notes that some contractors resist adopting these technologies due to a reluctance to change established processes. Despite this, the global market for digital twins is expected to grow significantly, with a 38% annual increase projected, reaching $16 billion by 2023, according to a Deloitte report.
Driscoll observes regional differences in the adoption of digital twin technologies. In the UK, there are standards for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin usage, while Germany sees collaborative efforts in the building trades to synchronize data. In contrast, in the U.S., the lack of electronic data sharing often results in data being recreated at every step of the process, leading to inefficiencies.
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