About Digital Twins

[geteway2digitalindia]

After the As-Built REVIT Model I want to convert it into a Digital Twin.

Please guide through the steps ...

Step-By-Step video will be appreciated

[RLY_15 · Accepted solution]

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/search?query=digital+twin&sort=year%2Casc

Digital twins are a complex topic that are largely driven by owner requirements and request. AU has a number of presentations that vary between theoretical practice and case studies.

[RSomppi]

Isn't the As-Built model already a digital twin?

What more do you need that wasn't provided during design and construction?

A true digital twin of a building in Revit could be quite an undertaking for larger buildings.

[RLY_15]

An as-built can be a Digital Twin, or it could not. Owner needs vary.

I have seen it requested where every serviceable building component needed to have a parameter holding directory paths for IOMs, performance cutsheets, and external service logs, so that you could click on any random VAV box on the project and get the client-side stored data pulled up.

I've also seen it where it's simply just dimension-controlled as-builts.

[RSomppi · Accepted solution]

In other words it's just another buzzword that has varying definitions depending on who you are talking to.

If a simple as-built can be considered a digital twin or a full blown BIM model including links to data that exists in other platforms could be a digital twin, the term is pretty much meaningless without a list of requirements that need to be met. There can be no step-by-step manual for creating a digital twin. It would differ very much according to the requirements of the project. The OP's question cannot be answered.

[RLY_15 · Accepted solution]

Yep, hence why I opted to just share AU presentations. You can very clearly see based on sorting by year when the term became marketable.

I would like to think that the perception is trending towards data-rich, but ultimately to use a digital twin you have to have personnel and equipment able to open and manipulate 3D modelling software... meanwhile we're still trying to get contractors to train owners on how to use their thermostats. 

I do think the idea is nice, and ultimately should be folded into BMS applications in some way that meets their constant need for custom GUIs. I still struggle to see why an owner would want the expenditure (especially if they already have a service contract with a BMS company that can provide similar levels of data visibility).

[HVAC-Novice · Accepted solution]

I know nothing about this.. But I suspect the model needs to be maintained and all future changes (i.e. someone adding a partition wall, or running a new pipe, or replacing a boiler) need to be incorporated for the twin to stay current and actually reflect the real building. That way you (hopefully) can use it as a basis for a future remodel or addition. I suspect the owner needs to be sophisticated and diligent to keep it up to date.