Valued at $12 trillion, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is one of the largest in the world, yet it has historically been among the slowest to digitise and innovate. Digital twins are advanced virtual replicas of physical assets, such as buildings and machinery, that dynamically mirror real-world conditions in real time. Unlike static models, these continuously updated representations integrate data from various sources, primarily IoT sensors, which monitor factors like temperature, humidity, structural integrity, and energy usage. This capability allows digital twins to simulate and predict performance, optimising systems such as heating and cooling based on real-time insights. By identifying potential issues before they arise, digital twins enable proactive maintenance and enhance operational efficiency.

In Australia, their importance in the construction industry is growing, as they provide real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, helping to streamline complex projects and improve decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. McKinsey research indicates that 70 percent of C-suite technology executives in Tier 1 construction firms are already exploring and investing in digital twins. An estimated $50 billion was invested in AEC tech between 2020 to 2022, 85 percent higher than the previous three years.

Leon Ward, Regional Lead for PlanRadar Australia + New Zealand, comments, “As the Australian construction sector faces ongoing challenges such as labour shortages and rising costs, digital twins are becoming a vital tool in improving productivity and maintaining competitiveness in an evolving market.”

KEY BENEFITS OF DIGITAL TWINS IN CONSTRUCTION

Research from Deloitte indicates that even in a silo, digital twins can reduce project costs by between 20 and 30 percent. Across any stage of the construction lifecycle, digital twins provide measurable impact and improvements in a number of ways, including:

  • Better project visualisation: Digital twins enhance project visualisation by creating accurate 3D representations of physical assets, improving planning and execution. This clarity reduces errors and miscalculations, ensuring changes are based on the most current information.
  • Performance monitoring: Digital twins are powerful tools for real-time performance monitoring, tracking construction progress and project conditions. By integrating IoT sensors and other data sources, they continuously analyse key performance indicators, such as worker productivity and equipment usage, with unmatched accuracy. This real-time data also supports predictive maintenance, allowing project teams to identify potential issues early and address them before they result in downtime or costly repairs.
  • Lifecycle management: Digital twins provide significant value throughout the entire lifespan of a construction project, from design to long-term maintenance. During the design phase, they enable detailed simulations to optimise layouts and resource use, while after project completion, digital twins serve as dynamic tools for asset management, This holistic approach to lifecycle management makes digital twins a key technology in achieving both short-term project goals and long-term sustainability targets.

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