What are the critical success factors related to digital twin implementation in the construction industry?5 answersDigital twin implementation in the construction industry requires several critical success factors. One key factor is the selection of appropriate digital methods and techniques, which plays a vital role in the transformation process. Continuous monitoring and control in digital implementation also significantly impact other factors. Another critical factor is the accurate and efficient construction of digital twins through real-time multi-attribute sensing and remote concurrent data analysis. To achieve this, a concurrent end-to-end time synchronization and multi-attribute data resampling scheme can be used. Additionally, the integration of real-time sensor data into physics-based structural models allows for adaptive digital twins that can reflect the current state of a building. These adaptive digital twins have been shown to reduce errors in frequency peaks and amplitudes. Overall, the success of digital twin implementation in the construction industry relies on factors such as appropriate digital methods, continuous monitoring, accurate data analysis, and adaptive modeling techniques.
What are the challenges in using digital twins?5 answersDigital twins face several challenges in their use. One major challenge is the complexity of modeling the behavior and interactions of physical systems, as well as the interaction of digital twins themselves. Additionally, there is a need for new networking paradigms to meet emerging industrial requirements such as interoperability, reconfigurability, and self-optimizing production. Another challenge is the management of heterogeneous cross-domain data, which is consumed by third-party services or domain experts. The lack of interoperable data due to heterogeneity in APIs and the difficulty of orchestrating data exchange are roadblocks in digital twin projects. Furthermore, challenges related to technical aspects include interoperability issues, such as disparate semantic standards, and practical value, such as the lack of business models.
What are the factors that influence the adoption of digital twins?5 answersFactors that influence the adoption of digital twins include the convergence of engineering and digital information technology, the promise of solving problems in the virtual world based on real-world data. The lack of clarity on the level and direction of progress in the field of digital twins has been observed. The fragmented situation and lack of clear definition of the concept of urban digital twins in the urban management industry is also a factor. The lack of semantic interoperability between architectures, standards, and ontologies, as well as the shortage of technologies necessary for automated discovery, are hurdles to the rapid diffusion of digital twins. In industries where the core product is knowledge, digital twins are not yet in great demand. The design imperatives for machine-learning based digital twins for nonlinear dynamical systems subject to external driving are also influential factors.
Why digital twin?5 answersDigital twin technology is gaining attention due to its potential to improve efficiency and decision-making in various industries. It involves creating a virtual replica of a physical asset or process, allowing for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and simulation of different scenarios. Digital twins can provide several benefits in the oil and gas industry, such as improving operational efficiency, asset management, and reducing the risk of errors. They can also be used in predictive maintenance applications, proactively identifying potential issues and predicting the remaining useful life of physical assets. Digital twins can help monitor and optimize physical assets in real-time, enabling prediction, monitoring, and decision-making. In cardiology healthcare, digital twins can help find patterns, coordinate care, and improve outcomes for patients with cardiac conditions. Additionally, digital twins can be used in structural life-cycle management to assess safety, durability, and reliability of structures.
What are the challenges in developing and using digital twins?5 answersDeveloping and using digital twins present several challenges. One major challenge is the complexity of diseases and the gap between this complexity and clinical practice, which hinders the translation of digital twin models to individual patients. Another challenge is the lack of interoperable data and the difficulty of managing heterogeneous data sources in digital twin projects. In the domain of subsea pipelines, challenges include creating accurate digital twins considering data acquired during the construction phase and addressing issues related to data collection, interpretation, sharing, and cyber-security. Traditional digital twins for structures face the challenge of not being able to adapt to changes in the environment and member properties, which can be overcome by integrating real-time sensor data into the physics-based models. Finally, implementing digital twins in industry is hindered by both technical issues, such as missing standardization of data and models, and non-technical issues, like a lack of expertise and specialists.
What are the key components of a digital twin architecture?5 answersA digital twin architecture consists of several key components. Firstly, there is a need for a software platform that integrates smart algorithms and user interfaces to enable intelligent operation of buildings. Secondly, the architecture should include modeling of various factors such as the operation of the HVAC system, occupants' behavior, thermal insulation, outdoor weather conditions, electricity consumption, renewable energy generation, and weather conditions. Additionally, the architecture should have a local data layer, an IoT Gateway layer, cloud-based databases, and a layer containing emulations and simulations. Furthermore, a digital twin requires synchronization with the real asset, active data acquisition from the real environment, and the ability to simulate the behavior of the real asset. Lastly, the architecture should consider the role of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) as an essential part of a digital twin implementation.