A comprehensive examination of prior research shows that the DT concept plays a pivotal role in the ongoing innovation transformation within the construction sector. DT's capabilities surpass those of BIM, providing robust solutions to address the construction industry's productivity challenges. This advanced concept plays a crucial role in achieving digital transformation. The ensuing key findings, derived from a meticulous evaluation of the retrieved studies, are delineated below.
A. From CAD to BIM to Digital Twins
Over the last two decades, construction designers have experienced a substantial shift from 2D CAD to BIM-based 3D modeling as the foundation for illustrating construction projects [20]. While traditional expertise-based focus was common, CAD introduced coordination and adaptability, revolutionizing workflows. This transformation, accompanied by software and hardware utilization for simulation, has redefined the roles and responsibilities of professionals. In contrast, BIM brought about a profound shift, highlighting the significance of 3D modeling in design and calculations [20],[7]. Early BIM tools offered parametric objects and materials during design, simplifying project documentation. Architects and engineers have particularly reaped the benefits of these BIM capacities, enhancing visualization and project understanding. As construction processes grew more data-centric, BIM's adoption extended throughout the project's life cycle, fostering extensive information exchange among stakeholders [6]. The rising popularity of BIM facilitated the management of geometric and semantic data for building components, enabling seamless interaction among AEC professionals across various life cycle stages.
In essence, BIM involves crafting and sustaining a digital model of a building asset enriched with comprehensive information, facilitating collaborative updates at crucial project stages [11]. Nevertheless, BIM's capabilities lacked the capacity for interactive virtual collaboration with the building asset, leading to a void in managing dynamic data and accommodating the fluidity of construction practices [5]. To bridge this gap, the emergence of Digital Twins (DTs) from BIM concepts has been observed in the construction domain. DT technology integrates seamlessly with BIM, generating virtual replicas of physical assets that offer real-time information and analytical insights [5],[6],[8]. Although remarkable progress has occurred in processes, policies, and technology, substantial adjustments in project delivery methods and workflows remain necessary to fully leverage BIM's advantages. By merging Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensor networks with BIM, dynamic digital models emerge, allowing real-time monitoring, analysis, and successful DT deployment in the construction [21]. Upon investigating the trajectory of digital modeling concepts, this study acknowledges the rapid advancement, specifically the swift evolution toward DT technology in the construction business. Having extensively researched over the last five years, this progression has become a pivotal driver of digital transformation within the construction sector.
B. Industry Standardizations and Ongoing Scope Evolutions
The widespread adoption of BIM and DT technologies within the construction business relies heavily on seamlessly sharing information among stakeholders with diverse roles, necessitating standardized regulations [20]. These regulations particularly address the sharing and management of BIM-based processes and documentation throughout project phases, as unanimously agreed upon by all involved parties. In pursuit of regulated digital transformation and fostering collaborative initiatives for digitalization and sustainable built environment practices across regions, global organizations advocate adherence to standards [22].
During the initial stages of digitizing construction procedures, BIM integrates project-related information flows, moving from a document-centric approach to an advanced data-centric focus throughout the project's lifecycle. Considering each construction project involves multiple building systems and stakeholders, this leads to the development of digital models tailored to specific disciplines [11],[6]. A notable advancement is the capability to collaboratively engage with a central model, fostering productivity and innovation. To ensure regulated collaborations on core components, address discrepancies, and enhance productivity and innovation, standardization has been enforced through federated models [22], which consolidate relevant data from contributors, including the architect, building owner, structural engineer, mechanical engineer, plumbing engineer, and contractors.
Seamless project coordination is achievable through platforms that facilitate collaboration and conflict resolution. However, effective shared work necessitates more than platform utilization—it requires shared procedures and an environment that nurtures the creation of digital spaces for the information exchange [22]. As BIM's evolution progressed, standardization was bolstered by technological advancements, legislative adjustments, and technical regulations. During the CAD era, object-oriented programming systems, known as BIM authoring software, played a crucial role in safeguarding asset model integrity [16]. Governments worldwide are progressively mandating BIM usage for specific public projects. For instance, the UK government enforced BIM for public procurements exceeding 5 million pounds in 2016 as part of its post-2007/2008 crisis construction sector revitalization strategy [22]. Authoritative bodies like ISO (international), BSI (Great Britain), ANSI (USA), and UNI (Italy) provide technical regulations.
The construction industry has witnessed the progression of digital modeling and design authoring through standardized practices. As the DT concept extends BIM capabilities by introducing new functionalities, the sector's dependence on existing standards persists. Despite their distinct capabilities, ensuring the harmonious evolution of these interconnected technologies becomes crucial considering the ongoing digital transformation demands. Therefore, regulatory advancements must be synchronized with the development of the DT concept to provide effective guidance for the sector's intentional transition.
C. Digital Twin Developments in Construction
The construction sector has undergone a paradigm shift, moving from traditional 2D-based drawings to 3D-object-based information systems and enhancing information management with BIM. The integration of DT concepts and technologies into the construction sector practices stems from the use of BIM-based platforms and collaborative models to improve construction and design methodologies [5],[8],[6]. The integration of real-time sensory input and fixed data from BIM models has become feasible through the IoT. DT emerges as a solution to address prevailing challenges in the construction sector and expedite digital transformation, resulting from the fusion of BIM and IoT [21]. While interconnected, BIM and DT are distinct technologies, with DT being notably more advanced due to its incorporation of physical and virtual components alongside data.
Figure 2 illustrates the classification of DT development based on fundamental BIM pillars, as established by Deng et al. [12] through an extensive examination of DT literature. This taxonomy, consisting of a five-level ladder, delineates the progression from BIM to a robust DT concept, offering an overview of current DT technology. The study delves into subcategories of research fields within each taxonomy level, guiding future DT research efforts and developments in the construction sector. For instance, Level 1 encompasses subcategories like BIM-based design and construction management, while Level 2 includes occupant behavior simulation and BIM-based energy simulation. This report comprehensively assesses the current state of DT developments and provides insights into transitioning from BIM to an optimal DT. Level 3 to 5 includes the progression from utilizing technologies that uses real-time data and provide meaningful analytics through simulations run on the BIM model.
DT technology is now widely employed across various building lifecycle operations in the construction sector [23]. Outperforming BIM, this transformative tool facilitates data-driven decision-making across sectoral aspects. In design and planning, DT offers dynamic modeling by integrating engineering specifications, material properties, and environmental factors for simulations and optimizations [14]. In construction, real-time sensor data from physical structures aids in monitoring progress, resource allocation, and safety compliance [19]. Planners can simulate deconstruction using DT replicas to identify hazards, establish safety protocols, and optimize waste management [24]. Nevertheless, DT's value and capacities extend to operations and maintenance, encompassing energy usage, occupancy patterns, equipment health, and other widespread applications of DT concepts.
D. Digital Twin as a Digital Transformation Agent in Construction
The construction industry actively seeks ways to synergize DT technologies with BIM's core principles to propel this transformative journey. Notable research studies [13],[6],[8] have outlined the commonalities and distinctions between these concepts. However, DT possesses the unique ability to anticipate future scenarios, conduct predictive analyses, and efficiently manage resources for informed decision-making. Klinc R. and Turk Ž. [25] notably emphasizes DT's foundational role within Industry 4.0 and the construction sector's digital transformation. As a central information hub, DT facilitates data collection through smart connections,
enabling advanced data mining, interconnections, simulations, and analytics. Similarly, Zou Yang [15] underscores BIM-based DT practices as a catalyst for the industry's digital revolution, offering comprehensive solutions for system integration and reshaping asset management practices.
While DT holds immense potential for industry-wide digitalization, a discernible gap exists between extensive DT research and practical implementation in real-world operations. This gap, highlighted by Vanessa S. et al. [19], may arise from several factors. Complex technology, for instance, DT in this study, and the potentially prohibitive costs of its adoption could dissuade both large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Investment in DTs might be tailored to specific demands, hindering broader adoption and knowledge sharing. Nonetheless, the certainty of digital transformation in the construction sector is evident [22]. This is evidenced by significant research trends, confidence in DT's potential, and the evolving technological landscape. Focusing on sector-specific needs, investing wisely in this adaptable technology for built assets, and achieving tangible outcomes are crucial for maximizing the benefits of this transformation in the sector.
E. Role of Digital Twin Technologies in the Future
The evolution of the DT concept has emerged through the fusion of emerging technologies with foundational BIM concepts. Notably, recent years have witnessed significant technological strides, encompassing the widespread adoption of IoT, artificial intelligence (AI) agents, and immersive technologies across diverse sectors, including the construction [8]. These technologies constitute the fundamental elements underpinning the DT frameworks. Their integration into DT processes has yielded enhancements in data processing, asset monitoring, process automation, assembly reproduction, and image tracking. This integration has not only spurred novel research endeavors but has also substantially amplified industrial productivity within the construction sector [8]. Research studies [22],[25],[5],[6],[19] express confidence in the transformative potential of these advanced technologies, poised to reshape construction practices, foster benefits, and mitigate risks.
A 2019 Gartner survey revealed that by 2020, 75% of IoT organizations were poised to embrace DT technology. Furthermore, over 40% of global large enterprises were projected to incorporate this technology into their projects by 2027, with a view to augmenting revenue [26]. Immersive technologies, encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), offer significant value potential for interactive experiences in DT models. Market evaluations outlined in the study [8] forecast substantial contributions from these technologies, with anticipated financial impact spanning from 2022 to 2023 and sustained growth projected over the ensuing decade. A prominent advantage highlighted in recent research studies [10],[12],[26] pertains to the seamless integration of virtual elements into reality through immersive applications. Consequently, the construction sector's escalating commitment to substantial investments in integrating emergent DT technologies is poised to propel heightened productivity, facilitating a swift and seamless transition toward ecologically conscious and digitally transformative practices.