Digital twins in lean construction: a neutrosophic AHP – BOCR analysis approach

Abstract

Purpose

Increasing complexity in construction projects evokes interest in application of innovative digital technologies in construction. Digital twins (DT), which bring these innovative technologies together, have strong interactions with lean construction (LC). To highlight the collaborative nature of DT and LC, the paper explores the interactions between LC and DT and assesses benefits, costs, opportunities and risks (BOCR) of DT in LC to analyze significant obstacles and enablers in DT adoption in LC.

Design/methodology/approach

BOCR approach comprehensively considers both the positive and the negative attributes of a problem. At the first step, BOCR criteria for DT are identified through literature review and expert opinions, at the second step dependencies among BOCR criteria for DT in LC are determined by neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process (AHP), through a questionnaire survey. Integrating BOCR into neutrosophic AHP enables achieving more meaningful preference scores.

Findings

Cost of skilled workforce is the most important factor and opportunity to reduce waste is the second most important factor in adoption of DT in LC. The results were analyzed to rank the BOCR of adoption of DT in LC.

Originality/value

This study, in a novel way, performs BOCR analysis through neutrosophic AHP to reflect experts' judgments more effectively by neutrosophic AHP's better handling of vagueness and uncertainty. The paper provides a model to better understand the significant factors that influence adoption of DT in LC.

Citation

Altan, E. and Işık, Z. (2024), "Digital twins in lean construction: a neutrosophic AHP – BOCR analysis approach", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 31 No. 12, pp. 5029-5056. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-11-2022-1115