Digital Twin based built environment asset management services development

Abstract

The Digital Twin (DT) concept emerged recently in the Architecture, Engineering, Constructions and Operations domain and the interest for digital built asset management service implementations is increasing. However, most of the applications are developed according to custom approaches, preventing the generalisation and modularisation. This article presents a methodological framework for DT-based applications development. DT-based applications support effective data-centric processes in the management of critical assets. The proposed approach is based on a flexible and federated data model, enabling dynamic data management. The federated data model provides an interface and connection among different knowledge domains. The service requirement definition provides the input specification for the application development, accomplished through the modelling of three fundamental components: data, processes, and algorithms. These components are assembled through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), supporting the DT-based services. The proposed approach is applied to the West Cambridge DT research facility and tested in the building energy sub-metering strategy. The developed approach allows flexible and interoperable data-centric applications development, contributing to the generalisation and scalability of DT-based built asset management applications. This aims at providing a consistent approach that can be employed in different domains, where the DT technologies play a central role in service innovation.