Decoding Digital Twin & BIM Jargon! 🤯

Welcome to the world of Digital Twins & Building Information Modelling, where innovation & technology come together to drive better property & city management.

But this world can also be confusing!

Let’s clear the confusion & provide you with a straightforward understanding of what all the acronyms & jargon means.

Starting with the most crucial:

• Digital Twin: Is a virtual replica of a physical object, such as a building, that is interconnected with real-time data for informed insights and decision-making.One great example of this is with energy efficiency. Through digital twins we can now analyse data from cameras and sensors to identify areas where energy is being wasted and identify cost saving potential. Digital Twins are designed to address challenges by delivering cost and time savings, promoting environmental enhancements, and fostering improved communication, safety, and overall efficiency.
• Digital Twin Platform: A software platform that facilitates the creation, visualisation, and analysis of digital twins for various applications, including building design, construction, and operation. Spinview is in our unbiased opinion the best example of such a platform. 😉

More confusing acronyms & jargon:

• Asset Registry: A centralised database recording ownership and details of assets, facilitating tracking and management. For instance with buildings this can include: documents of ownership, all the information on physical building from external cladding down to what screws go where, and maintenance records to manage and track property information efficiently.
• Augmented Reality (AR): Technology that overlays computer-generated images onto the user’s real-world view.
• Building Information Modelling (BIM): The process of creating accurate and detailed digital representations of buildings, covering both physical and functional aspects, for efficient building management.
• Building Performance Simulation: The use of computer models to predict and evaluate a building’s energy performance, indoor environmental quality, and other factors.
• Cloud: The delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence, over the internet. It’s how Spinview’s digital twin solution is provided to customers.
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): The art of creating digital models of objects in software such as Revit.
• Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie): A format for exchanging building-related data throughout a building’s life cycle.
• Dynamo: A platform for computational design and building information modelling (BIM).
• Finite Element Model (FEM): A tool for predicting how objects will behave through numerical simulations.
• Golden Thread: The practice of maintaining and documenting all building-related information for safety and accountability. Read more about this and how Spinview can help.
• Industry Foundation Classes (IFC): A standardised digital format for sharing building and construction information.
• Internet of Things (IoT): A network of physical devices and appliances embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity for data collection and exchange.

• Level of Development/Detail (LOD): A scale that measures the amount of detail included in a BIM element, ranging from basic shapes (LOD1) to detailed representations (LOD4).
• Machine Learning (ML): A form of artificial intelligence that allows systems to learn and improve from experience. For example identifying faults in the road that can lead to potholes, or fault in building walls that could detect early cracks.
• Deep Learning (DL): This is the part that simplifies data review across multiple sources of information & supports quick identification of missing information through the use of large language modules. In essence, this allows you to quickly query large volumes of data using natural language such as “Tell me my properties biggest areas for potential issues”.
• Predictive Maintenance: A maintenance strategy that uses data analysis and machine learning to predict when equipment maintenance is needed.
• Remote Monitoring: A system for off-site supervision and control of various building systems, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and safety measures.
• Revit: Building Information Modelling software by Autodesk used by architects and professionals.
• Sensor Technology: The use of sensors and devices to detect and measure physical phenomena.
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA): A system that supervises and manages real-world processes.
• Virtual Reality (VR): Technology that immerses users in a computer-generated environment, providing a realistic and interactive sensory experience. An example of this is Transport for London’s (TfL) maintenance and engineering teams using Spinview to remotely inspect deep tunnels before going on-site

Navigating the world of Digital Twins and Building Information Modelling may seem overwhelming due to the plethora of technical terms and acronyms. However, with a clear understanding, these innovative technologies hold the key to revolutionising property and city management.

Remember, a Digital Twin is a powerful tool, providing a virtual replica of a physical object for real-time monitoring and optimisation. The Digital Twin Platform, exemplified by Spinview, facilitates the creation and analysis of these replicas, offering a comprehensive solution for building design, construction, and operation.

Embracing concepts like Augmented Reality, Building Information Modelling, and Predictive Maintenance further enhances the potential for efficient and sustainable property management. So, whether you’re delving into the world of finite element models or exploring the Internet of Things, each term plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our urban landscapes.

Now that you have a clearer grasp of the world of digital twins, let us know if you’d like a demo – [email protected]