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Front Matter
Sep 23, 2024

Front matter for Digital Twins in Construction and the Built Environment

Publication: Digital Twins in Construction and the Built Environment

Abstract

Front matter pages come before the papers or chapters in a published work and include a title page, an other titles of interest page, copyright information, and a table of contents. This publication's front matter also includes a list of contributors, acknowledgments, a preface, and acronyms.

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Contributors

Aaron Costin, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Construction Management, University of Florida
Alireza Adibfar, Ph.D., M.ASCE, BIM and Digital Twin Consultant, University of Florida
Alireza Borhani, Ph.D., Research Associate, College of Built Environments, University of Washington, Seattle
Amit Ojha, Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
André Borrmann, Ph.D., Full Professor, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich
Anicleide Zequini, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Asok Ray, Ph.D., P.E., Distinguished Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics, Pennsylvania State University
Borja Garcia de Soto, Ph.D., S.M.A.R.T. Construction Research Group, Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi
Carrie Sturts Dossick, Ph.D., P.E., Professor of Construction Management, Department of Construction Management, University of Washington, Seattle
Chimay J. Anumba, Ph.D., P.E., D.Sc., Dean and Professor, College of Design Construction and Planning, University of Florida
Fabiana de Oliveira, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Fabiano Corrêa, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Fan Yang, S.M.ASCE, Graduate Student, School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue University
Fiona C. Collins, Researcher, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich
Florian Noichl, Researcher, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich
Gustavo Vanini, University of São Paulo
Haibo Feng, Ph.D., Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Houtan Jebelli, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ivan Mutis, Ph.D, Illinois Institute of Technology
Jack Cheng, Ph.D., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Jiansong Zhang, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Associate Professor, School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue University
Jiayi Yan, S.M.ASCE, Ph.D. Candidate, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London
Kai Yin, Product Director, Beijing ZhiuTech Co.
Kasun Hewage, Ph.D., P.Eng., School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
Kofi A. B. Asare, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Haskell and Irene Lemon Construction Science Division, University of Oklahoma
M. Saeed Mafipour, Ph.D., Researcher, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich
Maisa Fonseca, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Mansour Mehranfar, Researcher, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich
Marcela Noronha, Ph.D., State University of Campinas
Marcelo Giacaglia, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Márcio Fabricio, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Maria Aparecida Borrego, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Milad Sadat-Mohammadi, Ph.D., Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Pennsylvania State University; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia
Norberto Moura, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Qian Chen, Ph.D., School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
Qiuchen Lu, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Associate Professor, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London
Rosaria Ono, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Rosina Adhikari, Ph.D. Student, Architectural Engineering Department, Pennsylvania State University
Rui Liu, Ph.D, A.M.ASCE., Assistant Professor, M.E. Rinker, Sr. Rinker School of Construction Management, University of Florida
Sara Abbasian, Ph.D., Faculty of Civil Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology
Shang Sun, Product Director, Beijing ZhiuTech Co.
Shayan Shayesteh, Visiting Doctoral Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sheila Ornstein, Ph.D., University of São Paulo
Somayeh Asadi, Ph.D., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia
Tim Broyd, Ph.D., Professor, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University of College London
William E. Sitzabee, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer, Professor, Architectural Engineering Department, Pennsylvania State University
Xu Shen, Lecturer, Shandong Jianzhu University
Yogesh Gautam, Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Yuandong Pan, Ph.D., Researcher, Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich; Postdoctoral Researcher, Construction Information Technology Laboratory, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge
Yujun Liu, Product Designer, Beijing ZhiuTech Co.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the ASCE Global Center for Excellence in Computing Committee members for their invaluable contributions and insights throughout this project. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this book to fruition.
Special thanks to ASCE's Acquisitions Editor Natalie Webster, Books Administrator Julia Mullen, Senior Production Manager Michie S. Gluck, and Senior Manager Professional & Technical Advancement Brian Sien for their exceptional support and guidance in shepherding this manual through publication. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Shayan Shayesteh and Yogesh Gautam for their editorial assistance.
We also wish to express our deep appreciation to our colleagues and research team whose expertise and dedication have greatly enhanced the quality of this work. Their collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence were vital to the successful completion of this book.
Lastly, we acknowledge the encouragement and patience of our friends and professional network, whose support has been a source of inspiration throughout this journey.

Preface

Embracing the Future: Digital Twins for Construction and the Built Environment

In the face of rapid technological advancements and an ever-growing emphasis on sustainability and efficiency, the construction industry stands on the brink of a transformative leap. The ASCE Global Center for Excellence in Computing Committee proudly presents a pioneering compendium that captures the essence and potential of this transformation: Digital Twins for Construction and the Built Environment. This book heralds a new era of construction and built environment management, one characterized by precision, efficiency, and foresight.

Editors and Vision

Under the stewardship of the editors Houtan Jebelli, Somayeh Asadi, Ivan Mutis, Rui Liu, and Jack Cheng, this volume assembles a rich tapestry of research, case studies, and visionary insights into the digital twin paradigm. Our editors, hailing from prestigious institutions across the globe, bring together their diverse expertise in architectural engineering, construction management, and civil and environmental engineering to guide this exploration into the digital future of construction and the built environment.

The Journey Through This Book

The journey of this book unfolds over meticulously curated chapters, each delving into different facets of digital twin technology—from its theoretical foundations to practical applications in safety, productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Through the lens of advanced wireless technologies, automated systems, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence, readers will explore the nuts and bolts of digital twin systems, gaining insights into their potential to revolutionize the construction sector.
Our narrative begins with a critical examination of the current state of research and application of digital twins in construction, highlighting the scarcity of dedicated studies despite the technology's recognized potential. The book aims to fill this gap, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of digital twin systems, their implementation challenges, and the vast opportunities they present for the construction industry.

Structured Journey Through the Book

The book unfolds in a carefully crafted sequence, beginning with fundamental concepts and theoretical underpinnings, advancing through methodologies and technologies, and culminating in specific applications and detailed case studies. Here is an overview of the chapters, organized to facilitate a seamless flow of information and insights:
State of the Art of Digital Twins for the Built Environments: Offering a comprehensive review of the current landscape in digital twin research and application.
Building a Bridge between BIM and Digital Twins: Introducing Invariant Signatures of AEC Objects: Exploring the integration of BIM with digital twins, laying the groundwork for understanding their combined potential.
Digital Twin-enabled Health Monitoring of Construction Workers During Robotic Teleoperation: Illustrating the application of digital twins in enhancing worker safety through advanced health monitoring in human-robot interactions.
Digital Twin-based Ergonomic Risk Assessment Framework for Maintenance Technicians in Near Real-Time: Demonstrating the use of digital twins for ergonomic risk assessment, emphasizing worker safety and productivity.
From Purpose to Technology: A Requirements-driven Approach to Designing Digital Twin Implementations: Discussing the methodological underpinnings of digital twin implementations, advocating for a requirements-driven approach.
Defining a System Architecture for Operational Digital Twins for Predictive Maintenance: Detailing the system architecture for applying digital twins in predictive maintenance, bridging theory with practice.
Digital Twin Applications for Building Energy and Carbon Performance: Focusing on sustainability, this chapter highlights the role of digital twins in enhancing building energy and carbon performance.
Predictive Maintenance of Building Facility: A Digital Twin Framework Using LSTM Encode-Decode Model: Showcasing a specific application in predictive maintenance, highlighting the use of data-driven models for efficient facility management.
Digital Twin Development for Smart Port: A Case Study of Weihai Port: Discuss a real-world application, this chapter reveals the intricacies of developing and implementing digital twins for complex civil infrastructures.
Digital Twins for Predictive Maintenance, Conservation, and Rehabilitation of Historical Buildings: The Museu Republicano Convenção de Itu, Brazil: Extending the scope to historical building conservation, demonstrating the versatility and potential of digital twins in heritage preservation.
Digital Twin for Bridges and Structures: Practical Applications and Challenges: Wrapping up the book with a focus on critical infrastructure, exploring the application of digital twins in bridge and structure management.

Insights and Innovations

From digital twin-enabled health monitoring of construction workers to the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with digital twins for enhanced interoperability, the chapters presented in this volume offer a glimpse into the future of construction and built environment management. The discussion extends to predictive maintenance, the role of digital twins in sustainable and energy-efficient building management, and the practical challenges and successes of implementing digital twins in real-world settings, such as smart ports and historical building conservation.

A Call to Action

As we stand on the threshold of a new digital dawn, Digital Twins for Construction and the Built Environment serves not only as a repository of knowledge but also as a clarion call to researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals. It invites the construction community to embrace digital twin technology as a cornerstone of future developments in the sector.
This book is an essential resource for anyone keen on understanding the complexities and potentials of digital twins in the construction and built environment. Whether you are an undergraduate student, a graduate researcher, an industry practitioner, or a professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, this book will equip you with the fundamental understanding and insights needed to navigate the future of construction and the built environment.
We invite you to embark on this exciting journey with us, exploring the realms of possibility opened by digital twin technology. Together, let us envision and build a smarter, more efficient, and sustainable future for the construction industry and the built environments that define our world.
Houtan Jebelli, Somayeh Asadi, Ivan Mutis, Rui Liu, and Jack Cheng

Acronyms

AECO
Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations
AI
Artificial Intelligence
B-Rep
Boundary Representation
BIM
Building Information Modeling
CAD
Computer-Aided Design
CSG
Constructive Solid Geometry
DBSCAN
Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise
DT
Digital Twin
FM
Facility Management
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
IoT
Internet of Things
IMU
Inertial Measurement Unit
LiDAR
Light Detection and Ranging
LoA
Level of Accuracy
LOD
Level of Development
LoG
Level of Geometry
LoS
Level of Semantics
LoX
Umbrella term for various “Level of” metrics
ML
Machine Learning
MLS
Mobile Laser Scanning
MVS
Multi-View Stereo
POI
Point of Interest
RANSAC
Random Sample Consensus
SfM
Structure from Motion
TLS
Terrestrial Laser Scanning
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UGV
Unmanned Ground Vehicle

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homepage Books cover image
Digital Twins in Construction and the Built Environment
Pages: i - xxii
Editors: Houtan Jebelli, Ph.D., Somayeh Asadi, Ph.D., Ivan Mutis, Ph.D., Rui Liu, Ph.D., and Jack Cheng, Ph.D.
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8560-6

History

Published online: Sep 23, 2024

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