RC115 NovDec 2024 - Magazine - Page 26
RISK ASSESSMENT
construction industry is the perfect 昀椀t for this technology, due to the
complex nature of projects and assets being built and operated. When
applied to construction projects, digital twins can map every aspect
of a project, from initial design and planning to construction through
operation and maintenance.
Digital twins are particularly helpful for assets with complex systems such as plumbing, mechanical and electrical operations within
structures. In fact, the province of Ontario has selected Peter Gilgan
Mississauga Hospital and the Ontario Place Rebuild to test digital
modeling technology due to their complex utility systems. Digital
twins have the ability to identify and map utilities, with the aim to
avoid utility con昀氀icts that can end up being extremely costly and
cause project delays.
The ability to visualize and interact with a digital replica is a powerful tool for risk mitigation, making it easier to predict, prevent and
manage risks that could otherwise lead to costly delays, accidents or
failures.
Benefits of digital twins in construction
One of the most signi昀椀cant advantages of digital twin technology is
its ability to provide real-time monitoring for infrastructure projects.
Sensors embedded in and around a structure feed data into the digital
twin. For example, if part of a structure shows signs of stress or water
damage, the digital twin can alert the project team so they can address
the issue before it becomes a major problem. A digital twin can bene昀椀t
all phases of a project. During the planning phase, digital twins enable
simulations of various scenarios, which drives better decision-making.
Before any physical work begins, the digital twin can model di昀昀erent
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RENEW CANADA – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
construction approaches, material choices and even environmental
factors. By evaluating these scenarios virtually, project managers or
designers can make informed decisions that minimize risks.
For example, if a city was planning a new rail line connecting their
airport to the city or a new highway route, a digital twin could be used
to analyze di昀昀erent route options through a 3D model with collaboration from all stakeholders. This allows for more accurate and e昀케cient
planning, and ultimately helps determine the most e昀케cient route.
During the construction phase, as work progresses, it can be monitored
against the ‘as-designed’ version of the asset, ensuring that construction
is progressing as it should be.
Digital twins enhance worker safety on site. By simulating the
construction process in a virtual environment, potential safety hazards
can be identi昀椀ed and mitigated before they pose a risk to the actual site.
Using other technologies that feed data into the digital twin (i.e. 360-degree video) can also provide a detailed snapshot of the site, allowing
for the remote identi昀椀cation of issues before they have the chance to
become costly mistakes.
By providing a detailed, real-time view of the construction process, digital twins can also help ensure that a project meets regulatory
requirements. This reduces the chance of costly delays or 昀椀nes due to
non-compliance. On top of that, digital twins enable better documentation and reporting, which can also help ensure that projects stay on
track.
In the operational phase, a good example of using a digital twin for
operations is the insurance company Swiss Re, who are monitoring a
ship sailing from Asia to Italy using digital twin technology. The twin
takes data from the systems of the ship—if the twin signals that the
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METROLINX
Ontario’s recent $5-million investment in digital twin technology in projects such as the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, marks a significant step
forward in the evolution of using con-tech in public infrastructure projects.
