Realtime Progress Monitoring of Construction Projects by Integrating BIM, Digital Twin and Augmented Reality

Abstract

Construction projects are complex and involve many stakeholders who need to be kept informed about the progress of the project. Traditional methods of progress monitoring, such as site visits and progress reports, are time-consuming and may not provide an accurate and up-to-date view of the project. To address these issues, we can monitor progress in real-time by establishing digital twins of the construction projects using building information modelling (BIM). A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of a physical construction project that is constantly updated with data from sensors, drones, and other sources. By using BIM, project managers can access accurate and up-to-date information about the project, including the location and status of materials and equipment, and the progress of work. With the use of this data, delays and bottlenecks may be found and the timetable can be modified as necessary. Construction companies may increase the efficiency and transparency of their projects by creating a digital twin using BIM, as well as better serve the demands of its stakeholders. Construction companies can profit in several ways from using digital twins and BIM for real-time progress monitoring. The main objective of this project is to monitor the progress of ongoing construction project “MCE Officers Mess” by developing a digital twin and integrating it with Earned Value Management (EVM) to gather the most accurate progress analytics. The establishment of digital twin began with scanning of the project using Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) on-site and processing the data to get a point cloud model of the project. That point cloud is used to establish an As-built 3D model of the project using BIM software. The model included detailed information about the design in real-time which will be compared with the 100 percent completed designed model in BIM based on their volumes to get the amount of work accomplished. The project is then analyzed in terms of cost and schedule using EVM analysis to get the progress analytics i.e., if the Project is ahead or behind the schedule, if the budget is under the planned budget etc. Using a digital twin for real-time progress monitoring requires a significant investment in technology and training. However, the benefits of improved efficiency, communication, and decision-making can outweigh these costs. As the use of BIM becomes more widespread in the construction industry, it is likely that the Scan to BIM will become an essential tool for project managers seeking to improve the efficiency and transparency of their projects. It has the potential to revolutionize the way construction projects are planned, executed, and maintained by providing real-time data and enabling better decision-making.