Digital twin-enabled synchronized construction management: A roadmap from construction 4.0 towards future prospect
Yishuo Jiang, Shuaiming Su, Shuxuan Zhao, Ray Y. Zhong, Waishan Qiu, Mirosław J. Skibniewski, Ioannis Brilakis, George Q. Huang
Abstract
Information and automation technologies play a pivotal role in achieving cyber-physical integration within Construction 4.0. In this transformed landscape, the evolution of the construction management paradigm carefully considers the enhancement of business models and organizational structures to prioritize stakeholders’ well-being, environmental sustainability, and heightened resilience. A significant challenge lies in effectively managing and coordinating a myriad of multi-source and heterogeneous entities using information and automation technologies. The key obstacle is synchronizing these elements based on cyber-physical interoperation to optimize multiple objectives seamlessly. Hence synchronization emerges as a crucial factor for orchestrating and sustaining harmonious relationships among multiple entities or activities within a delimited spatial-temporal framework. This ensures seamless and aligned coordination throughout dynamic processes. Therefore, this paper presents a strategic roadmap for the synchronized construction management, derived from a thorough analysis of fundamental elements in Construction 4.0, aimed at advancing the current construction management practices. Moreover, to articulate this synchronization approach systematically, an Orthogonally Synchronized Digital Twin (SDT) model with regular expression is formulated, built upon the proposed roadmap for reshaped construction management. This study provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, project managers, and policymakers. The findings guide decision-making on digital twin adoption in construction, supporting practitioners to enhance efficiency and improve outcomes, offering a roadmap for industry advancement towards human-centrality, sustainability, and resilience. Future research should focus on validating the proposed roadmap and SDT model in real-world scenarios, exploring synergies between AI and digital twins, and investigating advanced technologies for holistic smart cities management.