https://doi.org/10.24928/2024/0185

A Review of the Role of Digital Twin Applications for Water Sustainability

Mehwish Qureshi¹, Zhenan Feng², Vishal Kumar³, Ruggiero Lovreglio⁴ & Mohammed Abdelmegid⁵

¹School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0005-4769-0218
²School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-7513-8942
³School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand, [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-7348-7057
⁴School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand, [email protected]), orcid.org/0000-0003-4596-7656
⁵School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, University of Leeds, West Yorkshire LS29JT, United Kingdom, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-6205-570X

Abstract

This paper investigates the convergence of Digital Twin (DT) applications, Lean Construction (LC) principles, and water sustainability. The DT concept, which originated in the 2000s, has gained momentum across various industries. Yet, integrating DT into the construction industry, particularly in water systems, is at an early stage. A comprehensive literature review is conducted to explore the potential benefits of DT in water management, aligning with the principles of LC. The exploration reveals the integration of DT into diverse water systems, encompassing distribution networks, sewage systems, river and lake management, dam systems, and wastewater treatment plants. The identified benefits extend beyond operational efficiency to water sustainability, addressing climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resource optimization. The study also explores the tools and technologies employed in DT applications, emphasizing their alignment with LC principles of reducing waste and fostering collaboration. Nevertheless, limitations exist in the identified tools and technologies, such as data interoperability, computational complexities, and data reliability, underscoring areas for future research to enhance DT application effectiveness. Despite these limitations, the synthesis of DT, LC, and water sustainability holds promise for transforming water resource management. This study offers guidance on achieving efficient, sustainable, and collaborative water management across various contexts. It provides essential insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of policy support and technological innovation to overcome current challenges. Furthermore, it suggests avenues for future research to evaluate the long-term effects and enhance the effectiveness of DT systems.

Keywords

Digital Twin, Water Management, Water Sustainability, Lean Construction

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Reference

Qureshi, M. , Feng, Z. , Kumar, V. , Lovreglio, R. & Abdelmegid, M. 2024. A Review of the Role of Digital Twin Applications for Water Sustainability, Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 32) , 731-742. doi.org/10.24928/2024/0185

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