A digital twin is an exact and dynamic virtual copy of an object in the physical realm. Digital twins are used in manufacturing, aviation, medicine and construction, to name the most common applications. The object of a digital twin may be a component, asset, system or process. That could mean a curtain wall panel, an entire building or building complex, or a city plan for construction.
A digital twin of a building provides a dynamic, real-time virtual representation that enhances a building's design processes, construction, maintenance and operations. It enables predictive maintenance, energy optimization and remote monitoring, reducing costs and extending asset lifespans. Digital twins make buildings smarter, safer, and more efficient across their entire lifecycle.
Digital twins leverage multiple technologies to model and manage an asset, from laser scans, drones and IoT sensors to BIM and cloud computing. Artificial intelligence is critical in several aspects of digital twin development and application. The types of AI used in digital twins include machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing and computer vision. These AI technologies enable:
- enhanced decision-making through data-driven insights,
- improved safety, identifying risks in real time,
- reduced costs and time delays through optimization and
- better sustainability and energy efficiency in projects.
All these technologies work together to form a dynamic and accurate digital replica of a building, enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization throughout the building's lifecycle.
By integrating AI with digital twins, construction projects can become smarter, more efficient, and better aligned with modern demands for innovation and sustainability.
One of the most notable applications of digital twins is the restoration of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The project was initiated by Professor Andrew Tallon of Vassar, a Belgian with a passion for ancient cathedrals, who began creating a digital twin of Notre Dame in 2010. When the cathedral was ravaged by fire in 2019, and French President Macron pledged a 'moon-shot' rebuilding in five years, Tallon's digital twin became a crucial resource. By collecting over a billion data points and combining them with panoramic photos, Tallon created an incredibly accurate digital replica of the cathedral, with detail down to five millimeters.[1]
The term' moon shot' is used purposefully to describe the ambitious rebuilding plan for Notre Dame. It refers to the Apollo 13 mission, where a 'moon shot' was a term used to describe an ambitious and risky project--in the original case, the actual attempt to send a man to the moon within ten years.
The precursor to digital twins were the simulators created by NASA in the 1960s that were essential in the Apollo 13 mission. The simulators were used for real-time data exchanges between the damaged space capsule and the simulators in Houston, enabling extreme problem-solving. The result was one of NASA's greatest successes: safely bringing the imperiled crew back to earth. The NASA simulation is now sometimes called the first digital twin.
Read more about the fascinating story about the Cathedral of Notre Dame’s digital twin here:
Using Digital Twin Technology to Restore the Jewel of France
[1] How a Digital Twin Became the Blueprint for Restoring Notre-Dame de Paris, ChurchHeritage.eu
