The construction field currently suffers from low productivity, a lack of expertise among practitioners, weak innovation, and lack of predictability. The digital twin, an advanced digital technology, empowers the construction sector to advance towards intelligent construction and digital transformation. It ultimately aims for highly accurate digital simulation to achieve comprehensive optimization of all phases of a construction project. Currently, the process of digital twin applications is facing challenges such as poor data quality, the inability to harmonize types that are difficult to integrate, and insufficient data security. Further research on the application of digital twins in the construction domain is still needed to accelerate the development of digital twins and promote their practical application. This paper analyzes the commonly used architectures for digital twins in the construction domain in the literature and summarizes the commonly used technologies to implement the architectures, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, cyber–physical systems, internet of things, virtual reality, augmented reality applications, and considers their advantages and limitations. The focus of this paper is centered on the application of digital twins in the entire lifecycle of a construction project, which includes the design, construction, operation, maintenance, demolition and restoration phases. Digital twins are mainly moving towards the integration of data and information, model automation, intelligent system control, and data security and privacy. Digital twins present data management and integration challenges, privacy and security protection, technical manpower development, and transformation needs. Future research should address these challenges by improving data quality, developing robust integration methodologies, and strengthening data security measures.

In Bangkok, many infrastructures have been built to satisfy the needs of the rapidly developing economy, leading to much higher construction and demolition (C&D) waste than ever before. A recycling program is, therefore, needed to properly manage the waste and to avoid landfill shortages and future environmental problems. This research examines the feasibility of a construction and demolition waste recycling program in Bangkok, Thailand, using a system dynamics (SD) modeling technique. The model consists of two main elements, namely the total benefits and total costs. The simulation results show that it takes 14 years for the recycling program to be worth the investment. However, with the minimum acceptable internal rate of return (IRR) of 12% for most government projects, the recycling program must be continued until the end of Year 17 to be considered feasible. The results also show that saving in landfill charges and green image are the two key benefits in the recycling program. This could be s...

Purpose: Green Star is becoming a broadly accepted mark of design quality and environmental sustainability. Compared to other green tools, Green Star is considered as one of main streams green assessment tools, which cover almost sustainable criteria. Simultaneously, building information modelling (BIM) has also been introduced into the industry. BIM is expected to aid designers to shift the construction industry towards more environmentally and economically sustainable construction practice. Whilst the aspirations of Green Star rating and BIM implementation are broadly aligned, in the context of New Zealand this has led to some disconnects in design strategy and process. The purpose of this paper is to improve the practicality of BIM implementations for delivering Green Star certification in New Zealand.Design/methodology/approach: The extensive literature review is conducted through a series of incremental steps. A conceptual framework focussing on the relationship between benefits and challenges of BIM and Green Star is then developed.Findings: BIM supports practitioners to achieve the majority of Green Star criteria (75 per cent). Energy efficiency criterion is the key factor affecting the assessment process of Green Star and National Australian Built Environment Rating System in New Zealand. Research questions about lessening the challenges which can be encountered during the BIM and Green Star implementation are developed.Research limitations/implications: This paper is limited to a conceptual research. Further empirical research should be conducted to validate and modify the conceptual framework and the propositions presented in this paper to provide an initial insight into BIM and Green Star connectivity within the context of New Zealand.Originality/value: This paper provided a clear picture for investors, developers, practitioners about benefits and challenges of BIM and Green Star implementation. The outcomes are anticipated to deliver visions for shifting the country further towards development of sustainable future cities.