The notions of smart construction and smart or digital cities include many modern concepts that are advocated today, especially in countries with advanced economies, and depend on using information technology and the Internet of Things as a basis to automate processes and activate digital systems to manage activities and services related to the operation of buildings and urban structures. In light of the spread of digital technology and modern managerial approaches, the concept of a digital twin is being used on a large scale with the current trend and direction to digitalize activities providing many economic, social and technical advantages. A digital twin is a system in which a virtual representation of a real entity or physical system is used continuously by being fed with data and deriving outputs in the form of decisions and actions that are generated through the processes of machine learning, simulation, development and lifecycle management. This study aims to review the literature on construction project management through the lens of digital twins and ways to use them in the field to improve operational results. The authors propose a framework for analyzing and supervising the development of digital twins that uses three main stages: the commonly encountered Building Information Modeling (BIM); the existing monitoring and actuation digital twins; and an envisioned third stage that makes use of artificial intelligence, complex visualization instruments and advanced controls with the capability to exact change within a construction project on the building site.

This research aims to develop an integrated approach to construction project management by integrating digital technology into monitoring and surveillance operations. Through the use of drones and image processing software, data can be updated regularly and accurately about the progress at the construction site, allowing managers and decision makers to have a clear view of the current situation and make effective decisions based on accurate. In addition, this approach contributes to improving communication and coordination among project team members, as data and images can be easily and effectively shared, reducing opportunities for error and enhancing effective interaction among different parties. Using digital twin technologies, planning and forecasting processes can also be improved, as comprehensive analysis of digital data provides a deeper understanding of project dynamics, identifies potential risks, and enables appropriate preventive measures to be taken. In conclusion, the integration of digital twins and the use of drones in construction projects represent a significant step towards achieving smarter and more efficient management, and successfully achieving the defined goals with greater effectiveness.

This study aims to analyze and discuss the risks facing construction projects by reviewing some of the processes and procedures that address risks through the use of the digital twin technology. The paper studies generic risks and their treatment, and it develops a proposal for risk management systematization using the Digital Twin for Construction Projects approach, previously developed by the authors. It addresses how to classify risks so that the digital system is fed with the proper information and data, which is based on processing and analysis, to reach understandable decisions and overcome anomalies. The research reached a set of results, the most prominent of which is that the digital twin can be used to enhance risk management in construction projects through adapted techniques such as the ones proposed in the paper; namely, a risk treatment procedure and a custom risk matrix. In addition, risk management treated according to a digital approach helps to improve the prediction capabilities, and this helps human decision-makers to avoid potential unplanned costs and failures, and to maximize efficiency. The study also recommends new investigations in the field of safeguarding shared information and data to protect from intentional and accidental mismanagement in order to reach a comprehensive digital system.

Utilisation des jumeaux numériques dans la gestion de la construction et les bâtiments intelligents: Les projets de construction se caractérisent par leur complexité en raison de la diversité de leurs activités, ce qui les rend exposés aux risques. Une gestion efficace de ces projets est cruciale pour obtenir des résultats réussis. L'étude se concentre sur l'utilisation des technologies modernes, en particulier les jumeaux numériques, pour réduire les risques et améliorer la gestion de la construction, ainsi que pour combler le fossé de connaissances entre les technologies traditionnelles et modernes grâce à l'utilisation des jumeaux numériques. L'étude a passé en revue la littérature liant la gestion des risques et de la construction aux jumeaux numériques, en mettant l'accent sur l'intégration des jumeaux numériques dans les méthodologies de gestion. De plus, elle a exploré les contributions de la recherche et proposé une méthodologie innovante pour l'utilisation des jumeaux numériques et des technologies intelligentes, en utilisant des outils intelligents tels que les drones et la modélisation des informations du bâtiment (BIM) et les jumeaux numériques. L'étude a fourni des analyses approfondies des résultats de l'étude de cas et les a placées dans un contexte plus large d'intégration numérique pour la gestion des risques et de la construction. En conclusion, l'étude souligne l'importance de l'adoption des technologies modernes, en particulier les jumeaux numériques, pour réduire les risques et améliorer la gestion de la construction. En tirant parti des technologies contemporaines, cela conduit à une amélioration des résultats.