Creation and application of a geometric digital twin model for construction of spatial cable structures: A case study

Abstract

This paper presents a dynamic geometric digital twin creation method for cable-net structures in construction which creates the building information model (BIM) for construction process visualization and finite element model (FEM) for cable shape and force prediction. The basic dynamic geometric information for parametric BIMs and FEMs is extracted from multi-stage laser scanning during construction. Multi-stage BIMs are presented as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format where the cables are created by approximating the curved shapes with straight segments. Complex components like cable clamps are imported as Revit Family and replicated at the measured locations. Multi-stage FEMs utilize the ABAQUS secondary development technology to parametrize geometric configuration, loads and constraints between components based on actual connections. A continuous dynamic BIM from one stage to another can be created based on construction progress and the deformed shapes derived from synchronously updated FEM calculations. Total duration for modeling and computation of each stage in construction is within 140 s. The average distances between the multi-stage BIMs and point clouds are within 15–20 mm. The prediction deviations of cable shapes and forces between FEM results and the measured data of the next stage are 1.2% and 1.5%, which considers temperature and construction progress.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

geometric digital twin / spatial cable structure / FEM / BIM / point cloud

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