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Researchers developed a digital twin-based facility administration system (DT-FMS) to enhance lifecycle administration of relocatable modular buildings (RMBs).
The framework integrates constructing data modeling, web of issues, and geographic data programs for real-time monitoring, efficiency evaluation, and logistics simulations.
A case research on a modular college system in South Korea confirmed the system improved module distribution, reuse, and total administration effectivity.
PRESS RELEASE — Relocatable modular buildings (RMBs) characterize a sustainable development technique the place buildings are assembled and transported simply utilizing prefabricated modules. Nonetheless, challenges in administration and logistics hinder their wider adoption. In a brand new research, researchers developed an modern digital twin facility administration system tailor-made particularly for RMBs. This superior framework integrates cutting-edge applied sciences to boost administration effectivity all through the constructing lifecycle, establishing a basis for wider digital twin integration in development.
Relocatable modular buildings (RMBs) characterize an modern and rising resolution for versatile and sustainable development. These buildings will be rapidly assembled from prefabricated “modules” and simply transported, minimizing prices and environmental impression whereas offering safer and cleaner development environments. Nonetheless, the administration of property and modular models for reuse and relocation throughout a number of lifecycles stays a serious problem in RMB tasks.
To handle this, a analysis crew led by Affiliate Professor Yonghan Ahn from the College of Structure & Architectural Engineering at Hanyang College ERICA in South Korea, developed a brand new digital twin (DT)-based framework for facility administration of RMB tasks. “Digital twin know-how is a groundbreaking instrument that gives a digital duplicate of bodily property, integrating real-time knowledge, predictive evaluation, and decision-making talents,” explains Prof. Ahn. “Though digital twins are gaining recognition in different fields, their use in modular development stays restricted. We introduce a novel digital twin-enabled facility administration system (DT-FMS) tailor-made particularly for RMBs.” The crew additionally included contributions from Dr. Dennis Nguyen from Hanyang College. Their research was made accessible on-line on Might 05, 2025, and revealed in Quantity 176 of the journal Automation in Building in August 01, 2025.
The brand new DT-FMS integrates constructing data modeling (BIM), web of issues (IoT), and geographic data programs (GIS) to create an in depth digital mannequin of RMBs. This mannequin helps real-time monitoring, efficiency evaluation, and logistics simulations throughout the constructing’s lifecycle. BIM gives strong 3D modelling and complete constructing data. IoT supplies real-time sensor knowledge. GIS contributes important geographic knowledge, supporting efficient logistics of modular models and location-based determination making.
This framework is structured throughout three interconnected layers: bodily, digital, and repair. The bodily layer kinds the inspiration for real-time monitoring and communication amongst completely different bodily parts similar to sources, modular models, and folks, together with stakeholders, engineers, and employees. The digital layer consists of modeling instruments, knowledge integration, and analytics. Lastly, the service layer permits customers to watch, management, and work together with the DT framework, supporting efficient determination making all through the constructing lifecycle.
To display the sensible software of the framework, the researchers carried out a case research on a relocatable modular college system in South Korea. DT-FMS enhanced the choice making for module distribution and reuse, leading to improved administration effectivity.
“Our analysis highlights the essential position of digital twins in selling a round economic system by enabling the reuse, reconfiguration, and optimum relocation of modular models, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing worth all through repeating undertaking cycles,” remarks Dr. Nguyen.
