Everything You Need to Know About Digital Twin
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What is a Digital Twin?
Digital twins are virtual representations of physical buildings in their geometrical and informational dimensions.
They contain all information about a building for the specific purpose they have been set up such as the operation of different building types e.g. Hospitals, Offices.
Digital twins are important to ensure all information is available within the object’s context to make informed decisions during the construction and operation of buildings.
What are the different aspects of a Digital Twin?
The amount of information inside digital twins varies based on the goal that was set to be achieved. Digital twin information within a building context typically includes:
- 3D Representation of buildings to define locations of objects, which offers a precise spatial layout, defining the exact locations of objects within the structure.
- Meta Data describes detailed information about each building component and its associated properties, enriching the understanding of the building.
- Sensor Data that represents real-time data from technical components, including MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) objects, providing insights into their performance and maintenance requirements.
What are the benefits of a Digital Twin
During construction
A digital twin is used as a dynamic working model to ensure changes and updates of the construction are documented, and if necessary, the model is updated to the construction requirements. The main goal during the construction phase is to ensure quality, costs, and timing of the project are in check. The Documentation from the construction phase is later used to update the construction BIM models to an as-built model which is used as the digital twin for the operation of the building.
During operation
In the past, the room data sheets were used for documentation of the as-built and also to provide an inventory of the building. The information was stored in folders (mostly in basements) or in CAFM systems that contained data that was manually entered into them. Accessing information was neither intuitive nor fast.
Today BIM models are perfectly capable of being used as digital twins during the operation of buildings and contain all necessary information. BIM Models can show relevant building component information within their context, which facilitates making correct decisions. As operational tasks are performed on-site, allowing easy access to BIM information is key.
How does GAMMA AR improve Digital Twin?
Being natively “Augmented reality” GAMMA AR allows to intuitively document and access information during the construction and operation of buildings, by bringing digital twins to the physical site. Collecting information during construction precisely to the building component to document deviations and changes is one of the key features of GAMMA AR.
GAMMA AR ensures information is collected on building components which removes ambiguity. The collected data can then be reimported into BIM Models.
During construction, GAMMA AR enables a “quick” digital twin, which corresponds with the needs of the construction.
The strength of GAMMA AR lies in its ability to display information within its physical context. This comes especially handy when accessing information collected during the construction phase, but which is used during the operation of buildings.
The intuitive access to information allows to avoid complex and the traditional, unhandy methods of storing and accessing information in buildings. Additionally, AR allows to easily schedule tasks and intuitively locate objects within the digital twins, even within walls or hidden behind ceilings.
GAMMA AR uses AR to facilitate collection and access to information in digital twins during the construction and operation of buildings and makes it easy to collect data to ensure correct decisions are made where and when it matters. This way processes can be executed precisely without any misunderstandings.
About GAMMA AR
GAMMA AR is a Construction App that brings BIM models to the construction site using Augmented Reality. Check out the features of the software and start your 30-day free trial now.
If you have any questions or need support, send us an email at info@gamma-ar.com
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