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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 techniques 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) signify a sustainable building technique the place buildings are assembled and transported simply utilizing prefabricated modules. Nevertheless, 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 reinforce administration effectivity all through the constructing lifecycle, establishing a basis for wider digital twin integration in building.
Relocatable modular buildings (RMBs) signify an modern and rising answer for versatile and sustainable building. These buildings may be rapidly assembled from prefabricated “modules” and simply transported, minimizing prices and environmental impression whereas offering safer and cleaner building environments. Nevertheless, the administration of belongings and modular items for reuse and relocation throughout a number of lifecycles stays a serious problem in RMB tasks.
To deal with this, a analysis workforce led by Affiliate Professor Yonghan Ahn from the Faculty 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 device that provides a digital reproduction of bodily belongings, integrating real-time information, predictive evaluation, and decision-making skills,” explains Prof. Ahn. “Though digital twins are gaining reputation in different fields, their use in modular building stays restricted. We introduce a novel digital twin-enabled facility administration system (DT-FMS) tailor-made particularly for RMBs.” The workforce 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 Development in August 01, 2025.
The brand new DT-FMS integrates constructing data modeling (BIM), web of issues (IoT), and geographic data techniques (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 affords strong 3D modelling and complete constructing data. IoT gives real-time sensor information. GIS contributes crucial geographic information, supporting efficient logistics of modular items and location-based resolution making.
This framework is structured throughout three interconnected layers: bodily, digital, and repair. The bodily layer types the inspiration for real-time monitoring and communication amongst completely different bodily elements equivalent to assets, modular items, and folks, together with stakeholders, engineers, and employees. The digital layer consists of modeling instruments, information integration, and analytics. Lastly, the service layer permits customers to watch, management, and work together with the DT framework, supporting efficient resolution making all through the constructing lifecycle.
To reveal the sensible utility of the framework, the researchers performed 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 necessary position of digital twins in selling a round financial system by enabling the reuse, reconfiguration, and optimum relocation of modular items, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing worth all through repeating challenge cycles,” remarks Dr. Nguyen.
