33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan - 2025

https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0238

Practices and Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Twin Construction in Latin America

Jhonattan G. Martinez1, Zulay Giménez2, Luis Salazar3, Luis Alva4, Luis F. Alarcón5, Timson Yeung6 & Rafael Sacks7

1Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6715-4440
2Professor, School of Civil Construction, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9051-1434
3Academic, Departamento de Obras Civiles, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7339-8935
4Master Student, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark, [email protected]
5Ph.D. Professor, Production Management Centre, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9277-2272
6Doctoral Candidate, Seskin Virtual Construction Laboratory, Technion – IIT, Haifa, Israel, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2195-0801
7Professor, Head of National Building Research Institute, Seskin Virtual Construction Laboratory, Technion – IIT, Haifa, Israel, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9427-5053

Abstract

The Digital Twin Construction paradigm, built on existing concepts of Lean project production systems, Building Information Modelling, Artificial Intelligence, and Automated data acquisition, proposes a new mode of construction management that leverages real-time insights and predictive analytics to optimise production flow and mitigate risks proactively. Its potential adoption in Latin America has yet to be explored. This study examines current practices and barriers to implementing Digital Twin Construction-based production planning and control systems. A survey was developed and validated through the Delphi method, involving an expert panel to ensure reliability and relevance. According to the survey’s results and experts' opinions, technological, organisational, cultural, and economic factors have impacted the adoption of Digital Twin Construction, including lack of robust digital infrastructure, gaps in knowledge, and resistance to innovation. The research findings provide practical recommendations to support future research and industry efforts.

Keywords

Lean construction, Digital Twin, Digital Twin Construction, Planning and Control, Automated Data Acquisition, and Building Information Modelling.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Martinez, J. G., Giménez, Z., Salazar, L., Alva, L., Alarcón, L. F., Yeung, T. & Sacks, R.. (2025). Practices and Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Twin Construction in Latin America. In Seppänen, O., Koskela, L., & Murata , K. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 598–609). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0238

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Martinez, J. G., Giménez, Z., Salazar, L., Alva, L., Alarcón, L. F., Yeung, T. & Sacks, R.. (2025). Practices and Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Twin Construction in Latin America. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0238

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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