Abstract
To conceptualise the requirements and shape of construction digital twins, literature
often proposes ideal-types and frameworks involving sensorised, real-time, and highly
automated systems. While concepts demand significant resource investments and
changes to business processes, their benefits remain debatable. To refocus on the
needs of construction practice, we propose an alternative characterisation of
construction digital twin systems. This study explores the conceptual diversity of
useful systems through a framework comprising latency, fidelity, physical-digital
connectivity, and analytic capabilities. It uses an engaged scholarship approach to
apply this framework to two cases: A construction control room and an underground
utility digital twin. Results show that these cases deviate from techno-centric
perceptions, exhibiting variations in latency (low to high), fidelity (low to high
realism), physical-digital connectivity (loose to tight), and analytic capabilities
(descriptive to predictive). We conclude that construction may defy techno-centric
stereotypes. Instead of exploring how organisations must adapt to comprehensive
technological twins, future research should prioritise contextual needs to develop
useful systems that enhance decision-making practices in the field.
often proposes ideal-types and frameworks involving sensorised, real-time, and highly
automated systems. While concepts demand significant resource investments and
changes to business processes, their benefits remain debatable. To refocus on the
needs of construction practice, we propose an alternative characterisation of
construction digital twin systems. This study explores the conceptual diversity of
useful systems through a framework comprising latency, fidelity, physical-digital
connectivity, and analytic capabilities. It uses an engaged scholarship approach to
apply this framework to two cases: A construction control room and an underground
utility digital twin. Results show that these cases deviate from techno-centric
perceptions, exhibiting variations in latency (low to high), fidelity (low to high
realism), physical-digital connectivity (loose to tight), and analytic capabilities
(descriptive to predictive). We conclude that construction may defy techno-centric
stereotypes. Instead of exploring how organisations must adapt to comprehensive
technological twins, future research should prioritise contextual needs to develop
useful systems that enhance decision-making practices in the field.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 41st Annual ARCOM Conference |
| Editors | Craig Thomson |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) |
| Pages | 109 |
| Number of pages | 119 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-0-9955463-9-4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | 41st Annual ARCOM Conference 2025 - Building Regenerative Cities - Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Sept 2025 → 3 Sept 2025 Conference number: 41 |
Conference
| Conference | 41st Annual ARCOM Conference 2025 - Building Regenerative Cities |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ARCOM 2025 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Dundee |
| Period | 1/09/25 → 3/09/25 |
Keywords
- digital twin
- construction
- infrastructure management
- context
- utilities
- site control
