Integration of Digital Twin and Circular Economy in the Construction Industry

Abstract

As a major industry sector, construction is gradually transitioning from the linear economy to the circular economy. Due to various barriers or challenges, the circular economy within construction progresses at a slow pace. Digital technologies can help construction address these barriers or challenges. As a new generation of digital technologies, the digital twin is still seldom used in construction for the circular economy at the current stage. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the implementation of the circular economy, as well as the integration of a digital twin and the circular economy, in construction. Based on a review of the relevant literature, this study adopts a combination of expert interviews as a qualitative research method and questionnaire surveys as a quantitative research method. The findings of this study suggest that design and demolition, which are closely linked to each other with regard to circular economy strategies, are more important than other project phases. The digital twin has great potential to improve circular economy practice. It can play some important roles in different project phases throughout the life cycle of a construction project, to achieve the circular economy. Digital twin–circular economy integration makes it effective for construction to overcome circular economy barriers or challenges, reduce waste, and increase salvage value.