EDITOR ' S QUESTION

SENIOR DIRECTOR , PRODUCT STRUCTURES DIVISION , TRIMBLE

Elevating 3D models to Digital Twins increases analytical capabilities throughout all phases of a construction project . Digital Twins offer a better way – a visual common ground that offers invaluable cohesion through which construction phases can communicate more effectively . Component dimensions , model details , working conditions and more can be embedded into contentenabled models . Applying IoT devices delivering up-to-date information to their digital equivalent , the 3D model is then enabled to directly represent that physical asset on the spot . This helps monitor asset status .

All too often , important details get lost in translation as a model progresses down the chain of command . Digital Twin technology offers accurate , real-time updates of building progress that will reveal any deviations from 3D models . Trimble solutions make on-thespot data collection and design verification faster and less resource-intensive .

Having the most up-to-date information on products or fabricated pieces of a structure ( like the source of the material , the certification of the welds , etc .) embedded into contentenabled models allows for ‘ Digital Twin builds ’ – the quickest , most efficient and most accurate fabrication possible . Trimble can also collect this level of constructed / fabricated / manufactured data which would make the Digital Twin richer when Trimble products are used .

This approach reduces errors and rework , along with the time and money they waste . And , on-site scheduling is enhanced through real just-intime production and delivery of fabricated components .

When the project is complete , Digital Twins can be handed over to the client to help support ongoing structural enhancements . For example , if a client is interested in the environmental impact of their structure , a Digital Twin can track energy demand , CO 2 emissions and indoor air quality to help shape future green initiatives . A Digital Twin can be a value-added asset for clients looking to leverage data in future optimisation projects .

As for existing buildings or infrastructure , Digital Twins can be applied as a starting point for proactive maintenance . This starts with the creation of highresolution 3D scans through by using mobile mapping systems or 3D ( laser ) scanners and applying AI-enabled technology to identify structural issues . The next step involves deploying the software to design sustainable mitigative measures based on construction technology that supports high-accuracy location-based construction . With that , the possibility unfolds to create a live Digital Twin that can serve as the basis for future maintenance , with facilities and maintenance data added to the twin on an ongoing basis , to support the asset during its entire lifecycle .

Digital Twins are , first and foremost , analytical tools that offer unprecedented insight into the condition of field investments and help inform future operations .

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