The construction sector is at the heart of the environmental transition. In recent years, it has also been impacted by deepseated changes linked to digitalisation. Both of these major shifts can be addressed by digital twins, an emerging innovative technology that helps buildings and structures achieve more secure and sustainable lifecycles. True to its commitment to applied research, ESTP is pioneering this field in France with the Chair in “Digital twins of construction and infrastructures in their environment”.
In addition to being the largest consumer of energy in France, ahead of transportation, the construction sector is also the largest CO2 emitter, making the sector’s energy transition a critical challenge for the coming years and decades. Solutions such as smart grids, which enable power networks to be used more efficiently, are being developed and are currently at the core of this shift. But digital twins represent another approach through which real improvements are being achieved. By providing a virtual copy of a real-life structure, which might be already in operation, under renovation or not yet built, a digital twin offers access to a complete representation covering every aspect of the building.
SPANNING AN ENTIRE BUILDING LIFECYCLE
Working in tandem with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and starting at the design phase, a digital twin can generate simulations to optimise construction and then supervise each stage once building work gets underway. During the operational phase, the twin can play a key role in various areas, such as ensuring efficient energy flow management, for example.
Real-time digital simulations can also signal malfunctions or dangers. For instance, by interacting with the building, a digital twin can help to determine how best to organise an evacuation. In the event of a fire, the safest – not necessarily the shortest – route will be prioritised to get people out of the building. Other practical applications drawn from the work of our chair include the role of a digital twin in automatic alert management for a railway network or a multiphysical multi-scale seismic digital twin in complex geological environments for industrial risks.
Once the building reaches the end of its life, a digital twin can guide choices by assessing the options to renovate, recycle or rebuild. In other words, the entire life cycle is covered.
AN ONGOING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The construction industry is facing a digital revolution. This transformation is unfolding through the digital twin, BIM (Building Information Modeling), artificial intelligence, open data, and more. However, compared to industries such as manufacturing, commerce, or finance, the construction sector is still slightly behind. This lag can be explained by the specific requirements of the construction field: solutions need to be fully developed and cost-effective before they can be implemented.
However, I believe that digital twins are set to develop quickly, as they address four major challenges. They can support efforts to steer and monitor the decarbonisation of the sector. They pave the way for improved performances by civil engineering works. They ensure the sustainability of built structures. Finally, at a larger scale, they are an effective tool to transform cities and make them more eco-friendly.
All sector participants need to be involved in the energy and environmental transitions. Digital twins can help in this by facilitating interactions between stakeholders. This will save time, boost efficiency and improve safety – all performance factors that are attractive to practitioners and will encourage them to adopt these tools.
Digital twins can also address issues relating to the industrialisation of construction and off-site construction by integrating and coordinating the technical and organisational aspects involved in designing construction platforms, architectural proposals, robotised industrial manufacturing, on-site assembly, supply chain and transport logistics, and day-to-day management of completed buildings and neighbourhoods.
A PARTNERSHIP THAT AIMS DE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH
Launched in July 2021 at the initiative of Joël Cuny, ESTP’s Chief Executive, and Martine Jauroyon, Head of Sustainability, Innovation and Technical Excellence at Egis Group, the “Digital twins of construction and infrastructures in their environment” Chair is blazing a trail in France.
The goal is to give national and international exposure to research on digital twins, from theoretical understanding to practical applications, by creating a unique community of interest comprising participants from across the construction value chain. Bouygues Construction, Schneider Electric, Egis, BRGM, SNCF Réseau and Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) are all partnering ESTP in this chair and were closely involved in defining research and study areas.
The chair’s multi-party governance structure is one of its great strengths. The partners are involved in three bodies:
– The strategic committee, which approves the chair’s broad guidelines;
– The scientific committee, which shares our research work with the academic community;
– The operational committee, which leads and coordinates the chair’s activities.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
The chair is currently supervising five doctoral research topics. Each research topic must not only address the needs of companies, but also drive digitalisation of the sector and resolve scientific and technological issues by providing optimization solutions for more sustainable and resilient infrastructures.
Five doctoral students, selected following interviews and individually supported by a research director and research professors at ESTP and ENSAM, are exploring these different areas. Already, this practical approach, based on research applied to real issues, is proving highly successful with the students.
The wider student population is also benefiting as ESTP’s instructors are tackling the chair’s research topics in their classes. Thanks to a partnership with Dassault Systèmes, some ESTP courses are providing the opportunity to create digital twins using the professional 3DEXPERIENCE® Saas platform. All these tools and resources are helping to build the skills of our students, who will help to shape the future digital transformation of the construction sector.
⚫RANI EL MEOUCHE, Research Associate Professor of Geomatics and Surveying Engineering, Head of the “Digital twins of construction and infrastructure in their environment” Chair at ESTP.
relmeouche@estp.fr