scholarly journals Digital Twin for Supply Chain Coordination in Modular Construction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5909
Author(s):  
Dongmin Lee ◽  
SangHyun Lee

Over the past decades, the construction industry has been attracted to modular construction because of its benefits for reduced project scheduling and costs. However, schedule deviation risks in the logistics process of modular construction can derail its benefits and thus interfere with its widespread application. To address this issue, we aim to develop a digital twin framework for real-time logistics simulation, which can predict potential logistics risks and accurate module arrival time. The digital twin, a virtual replica of the physical module, updates its virtual asset based on building information modeling (BIM) in near real-time using internet of thing (IoT) sensors. Then, the virtual asset is transferred and exploited for logistics simulation in a geographic information system (GIS)-based routing application. We tested this framework in a case project where modules are manufactured at a factory, delivered to the site via a truck, and assembled onsite. The results show that potential logistical risks and accurate module arrival time can be detected via the suggested digital twin framework. This paper’s primary contribution is the development of a framework that mediates IoT, BIM, and GIS for reliable simulation which predicts potential logistics risks and accurate module delivery time. Such reliable risk prediction enables effective supply chain coordination, which can improve project performance and the widespread application of modular construction.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6810
Author(s):  
Corentin Coupry ◽  
Sylvain Noblecourt ◽  
Paul Richard ◽  
David Baudry ◽  
David Bigaud

In recent years, the use of digital twins (DT) to improve maintenance procedures has increased in various industrial sectors (e.g., manufacturing, energy industry, aerospace) but is more limited in the construction industry. However, the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase of a building’s life cycle is the most expensive. Smart buildings already use BIM (Building Information Modeling) for facility management, but they lack the predictive capabilities of DT. On the other hand, the use of extended reality (XR) technologies to improve maintenance operations has been a major topic of academic research in recent years, both through data display and remote collaboration. In this context, this paper focuses on reviewing projects using a combination of these technologies to improve maintenance operations in smart buildings. This review uses a combination of at least three of the terms “Digital Twin”, “Maintenance”, “BIM” and “Extended Reality”. Results show how a BIM can be used to create a DT and how this DT use combined with XR technologies can improve maintenance operations in a smart building. This paper also highlights the challenges for the correct implementation of a BIM-based DT combined with XR devices. An example of use is also proposed using a diagram of the possible interactions between the user, the DT and the application framework during maintenance operations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6900
Author(s):  
Myungdo Lee ◽  
Dongmin Lee ◽  
Taehoon Kim ◽  
Ung-Kyun Lee

Building information modeling (BIM) and modular construction are important technologies for construction industry sustainability. This study proposes a relational matrix of key activities and BIM tasks of modular construction projects to analyze practical BIM tasks in Korea. To achieve this objective, 11 key activities and eight BIM tasks are identified through a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews. Then, the relational matrix of key activities and BIM tasks is proposed, and the BIM tasks in the matrix are analyzed in terms of necessity and efficiency using 5-point Likert scales. Finally, the matrix with the BIM utilization index is suggested. As a result, the average BIM utilization index is 0.80 in the off-site phase, and the index results show that 3D shop drawings have the highest index. In the on-site phase, the average BIM UI is 0.73 and the integration of a 4D model with quantity take-off is the most efficient at 0.85. Additionally, from the decision-maker’s perspective, the priority through the index presented helps in making decisions and in practical BIM execution planning. The proposed matrix is a practical reference for decision-makers considering the application of BIM in modular projects, and it contributes to a sustainable construction industry.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Samad M. E. Sepasgozar

Construction projects and cities account for over 50% of carbon emissions and energy consumption. Industry 4.0 and digital transformation may increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. A digital twin (DT) is a key enabler in implementing Industry 4.0 in the areas of construction and smart cities. It is an emerging technology that connects different objects by utilising the advanced Internet of Things (IoT). As a technology, it is in high demand in various industries, and its literature is growing exponentially. Previous digital modeling practices, the use of data acquisition tools, human–computer–machine interfaces, programmable cities, and infrastructure, as well as Building Information Modeling (BIM), have provided digital data for construction, monitoring, or controlling physical objects. However, a DT is supposed to offer much more than digital representation. Characteristics such as bi-directional data exchange and real-time self-management (e.g., self-awareness or self-optimisation) distinguish a DT from other information modeling systems. The need to develop and implement DT is rising because it could be a core technology in many industrial sectors post-COVID-19. This paper aims to clarify the DT concept and differentiate it from other advanced 3D modeling technologies, digital shadows, and information systems. It also intends to review the state of play in DT development and offer research directions for future investigation. It recommends the development of DT applications that offer rapid and accurate data analysis platforms for real-time decisions, self-operation, and remote supervision requirements post-COVID-19. The discussion in this paper mainly focuses on the Smart City, Engineering and Construction (SCEC) sectors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. e020016
Author(s):  
Neander Furtado Silva ◽  
Lilian Maciel Furtado Silva ◽  
Ígor Lacroix

The process of designing and building curvilinear architectures is still challenging. The use of multiple applications with distinctive design paradigms are unlikely to disappear. The interoperability used here was not only the conventional one. It was also ‘live’, in ‘real time’, with two of the applications involved opened and running simultaneously. A design workflow based on the use of form-forming applications connected via parametric programming to building information modeling, BIM, was proposed. The main objective was to facilitate designing and building curvilinear architectures and their supporting structures using simultaneously two different design paradigms. The tools needed in our research can be summarized as follows: NURBS Lofting for surface creation, contouring for modular slicing and structural axis grid definition, sweeping along axes for surface creation of the curved beams of I profile and paneling for the subdivision of curved surfaces into planar fractions. Parametric programming was used to automate sweeping along axes to generating curved I-beams and paneling to subdivide the NURBS surfaces into planar fractions. To the best of our knowledge, our major contribution resides in defining a workflow and developing new algorithms for facilitating designing NURBS surfaces and corresponding supporting structures through ‘live’ interoperability among different applications.


Author(s):  
Iloabuchi Alex Ocheoha ◽  
Osama Moselhi

Prefabrication and modularization helps to reduce cost and schedule time for on-site activities. The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) helps to improve collaboration and improve the construction process. The improved installation precision provided by BIM Model-Driven Prefabrication can decrease on-site labor time and increase productivity. Prefabrication, Modularization, and off-site construction transfers activities that would have been performed on site to earlier stages of the supply chain. The implementation of Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery transfers the costs and risks associated with inventory to the supplier. Construction Supply Chain Integration can help reduce cost and waste across the supply chain particularly for large and complex buildings. This paper presents a methodology that utilizes a BIM based construction supply chain integration to reduce cost and waste in the construction and offsite manufacturing processes. It utilizes the integration of BIM with the on-site schedule and the manufacturing or fabrication schedule of the different supply chain members. The methodology utilizes the onsite schedule, lead times of prefabricated elements or modules and the transportation logistics to help reduce cost across the supply chain. The information, material and cash flows as well as the transportation logistics is utilized in generating an optimized just-in-time delivery schedule for large and complex buildings. The optimized delivery schedule takes into account the variations in the on-site and off-site schedules to forecast delivery dates of precast elements or fabricated modules.


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