Purpose-driven roadmap for digital twins in engineering & construction: case study

The discussions on digital twins (DT) have greatly increased, and this technology is believed to solve many of the engineering and construction (E&C) industry’s problems. However, there is a significant gap between this perceived potential and the maturity level of practical applications. The proliferation of context-specific frameworks for each DT project hinders the widespread adoption of DTs across the industry. This paper aims to shift the focus from individual DT frameworks to viewing DT as a tailored pack of existing technologies, chosen according to the purpose of the digitalisation initiative. A purpose-driven roadmap for DT adoption in the E&C industry is introduced to bridge the gap between perceived potential and practical applications. The methodology of this study comprises a literature review, DT investigation, and a case study analysis. The stages of the proposed roadmap stages include assessment, purpose definition, technology selection, implementation, and optimisation. The roadmap is validated, and its application is demonstrated through a case study of a reinforced concrete chimney in Sweden, where two longitudinal cracks had been previously identified. The conclusion highlights findings and future directions, emphasising the roadmap’s role in fostering a flexible and impactful adoption of DTs in the E&C industry.