Digital Twins Flashcards
How does BIM relate to the digital twin concept?
BIM provides a comprehensive representation of building information, while digital twins leverage real-time data to create dynamic, data-driven representations focused on operational optimization and performance management.
What is a digital twin? List and briefly describe the three key components of a digital
twin?
A digital twin is a digital version of a physical object that is updated regularly with
information from the physical object, e.g. with information from sensors
Digital twins can be used to evaluate performance of a design and design options for
different scenarios as well as that of the physical asset, including energy use, indoor air
quality, occupant behavior and perception
Virtual product (or process) that exist in a virtual environment
Physical Product (or process) that exist (or will exist) in the real world
Connection of data and information that ties the virtual and physical product together and incorporates advanced analytics
What is a backfill BIM? In which contexts may backfill BIM relevant to digital twins?
Are there cases where it is not relevant?
Backfill BIM is the process of adding or updating a 3D-model with already existing building information (including buildings that are not BIM enabled). Backfill BIM is relevant to digital twins in the sense that you might want to make an energy assessment for an older building that only has a geometrical BIM model. You can Backfilli with data on heating demand and such to create this digital twin.
Backfill BIM might be irrelevant in newer building where the backfill would be minimal, in buildings that are so old that no accurate data (As-Is data) is accessible or in simple buildings with a short life-cycle.
Describe a digital twin example as discussed in class, or provide an example of your
own.
Note: If you choose an example of your own, clearly describe this Digital Twin from
the perspectives of its location, the organization using it, the context and purpose for
which it is applied, as well as your opinion on its advantages/disadvantages.
Location: Urban.
Organization Using It: Technology company focused on innovation.
Context and Purpose:
Optimize building operations and energy efficiency.
Enhance occupant comfort and productivity.
Perspectives:
Cloud based. Accessible from desktop or mobile devices for onsite facility managers.
Monitors building systems like HVAC, lighting, and security.
Tracks occupancy and space utilization for efficient resource allocation.
Advantages:
Real-time monitoring for proactive maintenance.
Data-driven insights for better decision-making.
Improved energy efficiency and cost savings.
Enhanced occupant experience and productivity.
Disadvantages:
Complexity in implementation and maintenance.
Concerns about data privacy and security.
Regular updates and validation required for accuracy.
Describe the meaning of the terms “material passport” and “digital product
passport”?
A material passport is a document or digital record that provides comprehensive information about the materials used in the construction or manufacturing of a building.
A digital passport includes information about materials, components, manufacturing processes, energy consumption, environmental impact, and recycling options for a wide range of products.
These passports purposes are to promote circularity and a sustainable consumption and production practices.
Provide a few examples of tracking and tracing technologies used for building
materials and describe their advantages and limitations.
RFID tags (Label tags, Laminated hang tags, Encapsulated tags)
Advantages:
Can be scanned quickly
Can be attached to a lot of materials
Limitations:
Expensive if large amount of material
Can be interfered by other materials, such as metals or liquid
Barcodes:
Advantages:
Cheap and easy to implement at a large scale
Compatible with regular smart phones (no new equipment needed)
Limitations:
Line of sight (easily obstructed)
Easily wears off or degrades over time
Assume that you intend to reuse building materials from existing buildings, and plan
to use tracking and tracing technologies for “precast concrete (walls, slabs, columns,
beams)” and “wood elements (floors, walls, beams, columns)”.
o What tracking technology would you use? What would be the
attachment method? (Hint: printed stickers, screwed plates, hang tags,
embedded into a concrete pour, placed in a cavity, metal plate,
engraving, or other)
o How would you link to a 3D model?
o Would you use an IFC or proprietary software like Revit?
o What would be the advantages, limitations, opportunities, and
potential outcomes of using tracking and tracing technologies in this
context? How likely is it that these technologies would be
available/used in the future, eg in 20-30 years?
