Digital Twins in Infrastructure Inspection

What is a digital twin and how is it used?

 

A digital twin is a digital version of the physical thing that it represents. The technology, first used in the 1960s by NASA for its Apollo space program, creates virtual replicas of any physical asset, from nanomaterials to smart cities. This enables visualization, monitoring, and – perhaps most importantly – simulation of physical assets either before they are implemented or sold, or to maintain physical assets that are already in operation. The added benefit is, above all, improved access to data and more efficient, faster decision-making.

Widespread cross-industry adoption of digital twins is slowly coming of age led by mass implementation of trends such as IoT, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and open APIs. At a global market valuation of $5 billion in 2020 and considering an anticipated Compound Annual Growth Rate of 40% from 2021 to 2028.

 

Digital twins are created by using measurements, recordings, and interpretations of photographic patterns or images: photogrammetry – to build an accurate picture of the real world. This is done by utilizing all the available data about a specific object or process and then making an accurate representation of it in the digital environment. This digital replica – or twin – can then be used to monitor and analyze the performance of a system or process over time.

The digital twin can be generated from different sources, including sensors, 3D models, and data from databases. The generated model can then be used to simulate operational scenarios for testing purposes before they happen in the real world.

Digital twins: Key to sustainable infrastructure inspection

 

In the context of infrastructure, digital twins can be invaluable when inspecting, planning, and assisting maintenance activities of an infrastructure asset. The methodology allows for detailed, remote inspection through georeferencing to detect, classify, and document damages more accurately and efficiently than previously possible. As a result of the ability to perform virtual manual work, digital twins are key in promoting safety and efficiency as inspection capabilities are enhanced technologically and fewer resources are required on site.  

 

These benefits are key in creating the infrastructure inspection of the future. This kind of inspection needs to be more sustainable than current practices allow for. This goes well beyond eco-friendliness. Given the scale of the task of inspecting existing infrastructure assets more efficiently while also planning and building out new infrastructure, sustainable effectively means better planned resources, saved time, predicting repairs earlier in the life of an asset and safely extending the lifecycle of an asset.

How STRUCINSPECT uses digital twin technology for inspection

It all starts with data. And when it comes to digital inspections with STRUCINSPECT, this data comes in the form of high-quality images. Building inspectors and asset owners can either acquire these images themselves or request and commission support from data capturer experts for image acquisition via the STRUCINSPECT hub.

Next, when creating a digital twin from these images, the STRUCINSPECT platform enables the selection of different levels of sophistication to manipulate and work with these images. The basic version allows users to create structures and enables them to easily upload, rate and manage damages via an ‘Images to 3D model’ function.

The premium version goes further and includes the creation of a high-resolution textured 3D digital twin. This virtual representation of the physical asset is so accurate that it allows for remote virtual manual inspection and 3D damage control. Also, within the premium version the creation of an IFC-compliant BIM model at the selected Level of Detail (LOD) is possible.

On the back of 3D models, damage is detected, which can then be classified and documented more accurately and efficiently than previously possible by using Artificial Intelligence support. With the help of this AI-assisted methodology, the detected damage on the original 2D images and the georeferenced digital twin 3D images is assigned and documented with its own unique identification number. All damages, along with their unique identification number, are then also georeferenced on the 3D digital twin. This enables the most accurate possible remote digital inspection possible – all on the STRUCINSPECT hub.

STRUCINSPECT has put this methodology to successful use across various projects, inspecting tunnels, bridges, underpasses, canals, and more. We believe digital twin technology is far more than a buzzword. We believe it is a key component of the successful, sustainable, and safe future of infrastructure lifecycle management.

Curious to see a demo and dive into the world of digital twins?

Read more about digital inspection

Aug 2021
STRUCINSPECT was founded in 2019 as a joint venture between manufacturer PALFINGER, engineering specialists VCE and the mobile mapping and photogrammetry experts of the ANGST Group.
Jul 2021
For centuries, engineers and architects have derived relevant information from 2D drawings. Although the design forms in the architect’s head, it becomes increasingly difficult to convey the designs effectively to others. Here, drawings become the main facilitator of information between the originator and other relevant parties.
May 2021
As of January 2021, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has implemented new regulations on drone management across the European Union (including all 27 EU-members, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
May 2021
Structural inspection, at periodic intervals, is of paramount (major) importance to ensure the integrity of structures: their functionality, safety, and longevity
May 2021
At STRUCINSPECT, we have developed an innovative, AI-based method to improve the status quo for structural inspection of civil engineering projectsstructures
May 2021
Data may be just a raw material. But Artificial Intelligence (AI) has breathed new life into how that raw material is being used to add value for businesses on the basis of algorithmic processing.
May 2021
Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be making major advances in adoption regardless of industry, helping businesses to improve on their execution and their offering. So, what can AI deliver when it comes to structural inspection and how come we are suddenly seeing these terms being used together?
May 2021
We are extremely pleased to have our work in innovation and digitization recognized through our partnership with the Austrian Wirtschaftsservice, AWS.
May 2021
At STRUCINSPECT we are exited to bring in our digital knowledge in a very interesting historical landmark – the Mariazell Railways, the Mariazeller Bahnen.
May 2021
En STRUCINSPECT estamos encantados de aportar nuestros conocimientos digitales en un hito histórico muy interesante: los ferrocarriles de Mariazell, los Mariazeller Bahnen.

POR FAVOR LLENE EL FORMULARIO PARA DESCARGAR LA HOJA INFORMATIVA

BITTE FÜLLEN SIE DAS FORMULAR AUS, UM DAS FACTSHEET HERUNTERZULADEN

Please fill the form to download the BROCHURE

POR FAVOR LLENE EL FORMULARIO PARA DESCARGAR LA HOJA INFORMATIVA

POR FAVOR LLENE EL FORMULARIO PARA DESCARGAR LA HOJA INFORMATIVA

POR FAVOR LLENE EL FORMULARIO PARA DESCARGAR LA HOJA INFORMATIVA

BITTE FÜLLEN SIE DAS FORMULAR AUS, UM DAS FACTSHEET HERUNTERZULADEN

BITTE FÜLLEN SIE DAS FORMULAR AUS, UM DAS FACTSHEET HERUNTERZULADEN

BITTE FÜLLEN SIE DAS FORMULAR AUS, UM DAS FACTSHEET HERUNTERZULADEN

Please fill the form to download the Factsheet

Please fill the form to download the Factsheet

Please fill the form to download the Factsheet