TY - JOUR
T1 - Developing an integrative framework for digital twin applications in the building construction industry: A systematic literature review
AU - Long, Wuyan
AU - Bao, Zhikang
AU - Chen, Ke
AU - Thomas Ng, S.
AU - Wuni, Ibrahim Yahaya
N1 - Funding Information:
This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.: U21A20151) and Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) (Grant No.: C7080-21GF ) and General Research Fund (GRF) (Grant No.: 17203020 ) both from Research Grants Council of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/1
Y1 - 2024/1
N2 - In response to the global advocacy for digitalization, numerous industrial sectors are actively advancing the implementation of digital twins (DTs). However, the construction industry has been slow to adopt DT, lagging behind sectors such as manufacturing and medicine, where digitalization has made significant strides. Given the demonstrated benefits and potential of DT, it is crucial to increase research efforts for enhancing its application in the construction industry. To accurately identify prospective areas for future research, a comprehensive review and analysis of the status quo of relevant research is urgently needed. This study undertook a systematic literature review to understand how DT can enhance operational intelligence in the building construction industry. The findings, based on a review of pertinent literature, revealed that existing studies predominantly focused on the application of DT during the construction phase and the operation and maintenance phase. However, its potential use during the planning and design phase and the demolition and recovery phase was largely overlooked. Three main categories of key digital facilitating technologies for DT in the building construction industry have been identified: (1) data-related technologies; (2) high-fidelity modeling technologies; and (3) model-based simulation technologies. These technologies have finally culminated into an integrative framework. Furthermore, three significant research gaps in the application of DT in the building construction industry have been identified, suggesting future studies explore how to (1) centralize diverse stakeholders from a lifecycle perspective; (2) address various existing technological defects; and (3) establish a universal industry standard. This paper provides a valuable roadmap for relevant stakeholders to understand the status quo of DT application and the existing deficiencies in its full implementation, which should facilitate the efficient digitalization of the construction industry.
AB - In response to the global advocacy for digitalization, numerous industrial sectors are actively advancing the implementation of digital twins (DTs). However, the construction industry has been slow to adopt DT, lagging behind sectors such as manufacturing and medicine, where digitalization has made significant strides. Given the demonstrated benefits and potential of DT, it is crucial to increase research efforts for enhancing its application in the construction industry. To accurately identify prospective areas for future research, a comprehensive review and analysis of the status quo of relevant research is urgently needed. This study undertook a systematic literature review to understand how DT can enhance operational intelligence in the building construction industry. The findings, based on a review of pertinent literature, revealed that existing studies predominantly focused on the application of DT during the construction phase and the operation and maintenance phase. However, its potential use during the planning and design phase and the demolition and recovery phase was largely overlooked. Three main categories of key digital facilitating technologies for DT in the building construction industry have been identified: (1) data-related technologies; (2) high-fidelity modeling technologies; and (3) model-based simulation technologies. These technologies have finally culminated into an integrative framework. Furthermore, three significant research gaps in the application of DT in the building construction industry have been identified, suggesting future studies explore how to (1) centralize diverse stakeholders from a lifecycle perspective; (2) address various existing technological defects; and (3) establish a universal industry standard. This paper provides a valuable roadmap for relevant stakeholders to understand the status quo of DT application and the existing deficiencies in its full implementation, which should facilitate the efficient digitalization of the construction industry.
KW - A lifecycle perspective
KW - An integrative framework
KW - Building construction industry
KW - Digital twin
KW - Systematic literature review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85183605156&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.aei.2023.102346
DO - 10.1016/j.aei.2023.102346
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85183605156
SN - 1474-0346
VL - 59
JO - Advanced Engineering Informatics
JF - Advanced Engineering Informatics
M1 - 102346
ER -