Digital twin–based asset inspection and user–technology interactions
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 14 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
With the emergence of digital twins, the construction industry is looking toward improving the inspection and maintenance of all kinds of assets, such as bridges, roads and utilities. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into how the development of an interactive digital twin creates a variety of interactions between users of this technology and assets to be monitored.
Design/methodology/approach
The development of a digital twin inspection model, focusing on the specific case of a sewage pumping station, is chosen as the subject of a case study. Through the development of this model, this study explores the various user–technology interactions that can be designed in a digital twin context.
Findings
Users interact with digital twins by following virtual instructions in a certain way, which creates a “quasi-other” relationship. A digital twin based on virtual reality (VR) also make users feel as if they are within the created VR of an inspection site, thereby immersing them in the VR environment. The design of a VR-based digital twin, which is determined by decisions made during the development process, shapes the context in which users interact with the technology and assets.
Originality/value
This study shows that a digital twin in construction practice may play different “actant” roles having different types of influences. Analyzing these actant roles and influences in terms of force and visibility adds a new perspective on the interaction between users and digital twins in construction and asset monitoring practice.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Data availability statement: The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the management and experts from GMB, who provided the authors with the opportunity to create and validate the digital twin inspection model. In addition, Water Authority Brabantse Delta and Hoppenbrouwers need to be acknowledged for providing numerous experts during the research.
Citation
Voordijk, H., Vahdatikhaki, F. and Hesselink, L. (2023), "Digital twin–based asset inspection and user–technology interactions", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-03-2023-0121
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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