Design of a Digital Twin-Based System for Bridges*

The advancement of the Industry 4.0 technologies is transcending traditional boundaries within manufacturing systems, extending its reach into the construction engineering sector. The implementation of intelligent monitoring systems has proven effective in the maintenance of manufacturing machinery, with analogous applications in the monitoring of constructed bridges. Such systems have the potential to increase the safety and the longevity of ageing structures and to supplement the scarce workforce available for inspection and maintenance. The digital twin, a fundamental concept of Industry 4.0, has been identified as a key component in digitalisation by enabling interoperability between cyber-physical systems. The utilisation of digital twin technology in the construction engineering sector is likely to have a significant role in facilitating intelligent maintenance of bridges and roads. This paper presents the design of a digital twin architecture, with a focus on the monitoring of various components of a constructed bridge. The implementation of the digital twin architecture utilises the standardised Asset Administration Shell, which facilitates the integration of both static and dynamic data sources. This integration enables a consolidated analysis of all the structural and environmental data relevant for the monitoring and condition assessment of bridges.