Digital twins
The concept of a digital twin
– A digital twin acts as a virtual duplicate (or twin) of the real structure/system –
– It can be developed through the design phase and/or the life of the structure –
– It is a fusion of models and data that evolves over time –
Key attributes of a digital twin
Overall UK context
- In November 2016 Philip Hammond commissioned the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) to write a report on “on how new technologies can improve infrastructure productivity”
- The report on ‘Data for the public good’ was published in December 2017 focused on “smart infrastructure” including the possibility of a “national digital twin”
- Recommendations are civil engineering focused and delivery is tasked to:
- The Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) as lead in collaboration with,
- The Alan Turing Institute (ATI) plus some others including MTC
- Key recommendations/deliverables are based around “The Gemini Principles”
- CDBB is receiving direct funding from government, and has distrubuted some funds to other groups
- In Feb 2017 the ATI published an Insight article on “digital transition” including digital twin for aerospace – case study from Rolls Royce
- Nearly all major companies in energy, manufacturing and transport have digital twin projects or programmes
Asset management example of a digital twin
Technology evolution: the hype cycle
Potential user benefits from using a digital twin
Design
Robustly verified and validated designs enabling manufacturers to reduce costs, improve product longevity, efficiency and safety, via:
- Reduced design times
- Reduced uncertainty in the design process
- Better testing of virtual prototypes
Asset management:
Improvements in efficiency that lead to more effective engineering systems, with improved resilience & reliability, reduced maintenance & operation costs, and better overall performance. Specifically:
- Improved condition monitoring
- Better scenario planning
- Plant life extension, and managing the asset lifecycle
- Integrate control, hardware-in-the-loop testing and online activities into asset
management processes - Better decision support