Abstract
Abstract This paper presents a review of the state of the art for digital twins in the application domain of engineering dynamics. The focus on applications in dynamics is because: (i) they offer some of the most challenging aspects of creating an effective digital twin, and (ii) they are relevant to important industrial applications such as energy generation and transport systems. The history of the digital twin is discussed first, along with a review of the associated literature; the process of synthesizing a digital twin is then considered, including definition of the aims and objectives of the digital twin. An example of the asset management phase for a wind turbine is included in order to demonstrate how the synthesis process might be applied in practice. In order to illustrate modeling issues arising in the construction of a digital twin, a detailed case study is presented, based on a physical twin, which is a small-scale three-story structure. This case study shows the progression toward a digital twin highlighting key processes including system identification, data-augmented modeling, and verification and validation. Finally, a discussion of some open research problems and technological challenges is given, including workflow, joints, uncertainty management, and the quantification of trust. In a companion paper, as part of this special issue, a mathematical framework for digital twin applications is developed, and together the authors believe this represents a firm framework for developing digital twin applications in the area of engineering dynamics.
Highlights
Society is experiencing an era of digital transformation
The reason for focusing on applications in dynamics is that: (i) they offer some of the most challenging aspects of creating an effective digital twin, and (ii) they are relevant to important industrial applications such as energy generation and transport systems
As part of this special issue, a mathematical framework for digital twin applications is developed, and together the authors believe this represents a firm framework for developing digital twin applications in the area of engineering dynamics
Summary
It is common to hear concepts discussed in the technical literature and wider media relating to this transition Concepts such as Industry 4.0, the Internet-of-Things [1], and Big. Data [2], amongst others, have become increasingly widely used, in relation to engineering applications. Data [2], amongst others, have become increasingly widely used, in relation to engineering applications Often mentioned in this context, and promoted as a potentially transformative idea for engineers working in all areas, is the idea of a digital twin. The focus will be on modelling and simulation, and in this context, a digital twin can be defined as a virtual duplicate of a system built from a fusion of models and data. The potential benefit of the digital twin is a significant improvement in predictive capability compared with current technologies
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