The rise of digital twins in construction

The construction world is now used to working with BIM, but digital developments are not standing still. The digital twin is on the rise. For example, NS is working on a digital twin for Utrecht Central Station and TNO and Rijkswaterstaat are testing the possibilities of using a digital twin for road and bridge maintenance. In this blog I discuss what a digital twin is, what its added value is and what relevant legal points of interest are when working with a digital twin.

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is an exact, virtual copy of a physical structure. Smart sensors and software in the physical structure collect data about the use of the building and send this data to the digital twin. Thus, the digital twin is continuously fed real time data. If the physical structure changes, the digital twin immediately changes with it.

But the possibilities go beyond digitizing the current status of a building. Using data on usage, weather conditions and other relevant factors, the software can learn to predict when, for example, an elevator, heat pump or window frame needs maintenance or replacement. In this way, maintenance can be performed even before a malfunction actually occurs. This is called a "predictive twin."

What is the added value of a digital twin?

So, as described above, a digital twin goes much further than a 3D drawing or most BIM systems. The added value of a digital twin can be found in the design and work preparation phase as well as the management and maintenance phase.

Design and work preparation phase

• Clash detection.
  The software checks the design, including the structural calculation, for errors based, among other things, on the material properties of the materials to be used. Thanks to the clash-detection software, possible design errors can be detected in time (a possibility that working with BIM already offers as well). If materials are changed, the software will immediately reveal their influence.
• Simulation.
  Furthermore, the digital twin can also be used to simulate the use of the physical building before it is actually built. This can be used, for example, to simulate usage risks: for example, how do escape routes function in an emergency? Where necessary, adjustments can then be made as early as the design phase to optimize the design and use.

Management and maintenance phase

• All documents are conveniently stored in the 3D model.
  A detailed model of the physical structure can be created. The construction drawing can be drawn to screw level in 3D. Warranties and other product information can be stored directly behind the digital twin's digital component, as well as the number of malfunctions reported and repairs carried out can be logged in the digital twin. Thus, all information is conveniently stored in the 3D model.
• Insight into current and future status of the physical structure.
  Through the data connection, the digital twin provides insight into the current status of the building, but can also make predictions about future maintenance. This makes the lifespan of the structure longer and more sustainable.

Legal concerns of digital twins

The data connection between the physical twin and the digital twin is crucial for the proper functioning of the digital twin. Without the data connection, the digital twin cannot change along with the physical twin. The connection with the digital twin usually runs through a software program that operates in the Cloud. This is also where the collected data is stored.

Working in the Cloud

There are risks associated with working with the Cloud. I discussed these risks in detail in my blog: Considerations when working with BIM in the Cloud. In summary, when working in the cloud, it is important to pay attention to at least the following points:

• How much uptime (availability of the software)is offered and what is the penalty for not achieving the agreed uptime;
• Which party is responsible for making backups;
• Research what damaging circumstances the cloud service provider has included an exoneration provision for and consider the implications in your decision-making;
• Make sure your cloud service provider has a continuity plan.

Who does the data collected belong to?

As mentioned, a lot of data is required for the proper functioning of a digital twin. That data has commercial value. With the data, the status of the structure can be monitored and predicted, as well as how much energy is consumed at certain times. That information is relevant to the user, but also, for example, to an energy supplier. It is therefore important to make good contractual agreements about the rights to the collected data. After all, ownership of data does not legally exist. For a detailed explanation, see: Smart Buildings and the battle for data, who's the boss?

Some important points about rights to data are:

• Which party is the rightful owner of the data being generated;
• Where the data comes from;
• Which parties gain access to the data;
• and what these parties may do with this data (resell, process, use, etc.)

What about privacy?

In addition to establishing the right to use data, it is also important to pay attention to privacy laws, specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). It is important to investigate whether individuals can be identified from the collected data. If the digital twin only monitors how often the elevator goes up and down in a day, then the applicability of the AVG will not be an issue quickly. It becomes different, for example, when the digital twin also scans car license plates or when employees gain access to the building through a fingerprint scanner. In that case, personal data are processed and the requirements of the AVG must be met. See also the blog by my colleague Valerie Lipman.

Completion

So a digital twin offers great opportunities for the construction world: it connects the digital world with the physical world. When combining construction and data, it is crucial to make good agreements about the availability of the data, privacy and the rights to the data. We would be happy to help you with this.