DIGITAL TWIN IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A REVIEW ON DEFINITION, APPLICATION AND CHALLENGES OF ADOPTION

The construction industry is pivotal in driving Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), contributing to economic growth and infrastructure developments. However, with the complexity and large-scale infrastructure projects, there is a growing demand for technological advancements in construction, maintenance and monitoring. Digital Twin (DT) technology, known for its real-time data, predictive analysis, and simulation capabilities, presents a promising solution. A systematic literature review (SLR) was employed, and a total of 1087 publications were retrieved from the Scopus database. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 140 studies were included for review in this paper.  This paper aims to explore the definition, current state of DT applications in the lifecycle phases while highlighting the challenges posed in adopting DT. Digital Twin (DT) is a virtual representation of physical entities, processes, and real-time data that enables better monitoring, simulation, and predictive analysis throughout a project's lifecycle. The application of DT are virtual prototyping and simulation in planning and design stages, real-time progress tracking in construction stage, predictive and proactive maintenance during operation and maintenance and simulation of structural vulnerabilities and collapses sequence in demolition and recovery phases. The study also identifies challenges from four (4) main aspects: process, people, technology and policy. Key challenges include integrating data from multiple sources, resistance to new technologies, high software and hardware cost and concerns regarding confidentiality due to unclear data governance regulations. The findings offer valuable insights for industry practitioners, policymakers, and researchers aiming to leverage Digital Twin technology for a more sustainable and efficient construction industry.