A digital twin-based green construction management method for prefabricated buildings

Background: Site pollution in construction can be reduced by using high levels of prefabrication and industrialization. However, the lack of green concepts and methods during the prefabrication assembly process hinders its environmental benefits. Digital twin technology can monitor sites in real-time and provide data visualization for decision support, which has been used in construction management and risk control. Methods: We propose a six-dimensional digital twin framework that includes physical and virtual spaces, project management and service layers, twin data, and component connections. The framework integrates green factors of prefabricated construction into a model evolution framework and mechanism that enables real-time green services throughout the process. Results:  The proposed framework, modeling method, and evolution method were tested in prefabrication projects in Tianjin. By applying these methods, inadequate management measures were promptly identified and strengthened. Energy consumption and pollution were reduced by comparing with the plan before construction. In addition, the model evolution method optimized green management measures and improved the level of green construction management on site. Conclusions: The application results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework, the model building method, and the evolution method in improving the green level of prefabricated construction.