Digital twins are revolutionizing the way infrastructure projects are designed, built, and operated. By creating virtual replicas of physical assets, Bentley Systems’ Digital Twins software enables engineers, architects, and planners to optimize designs, improve construction processes and enhances long-term asset management. This technology integrates real-time data with historical information, allowing for informed decision-making and scenario simulation. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Bentley Digital Twins software is transforming projects across the globe, with real-world examples showcasing its impact on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
What Are Digital Twins and Why Do They Matter?
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset or system, continuously updated with real-time data. For infrastructure projects, this means combining data from sources like BIM (Building Information Modeling), IoT sensors, CAD models, and reality captures into a single, federated environment. Bentley’s iTwin Platform, a key component of its digital twin offerings, allows professionals to visualize, analyze, and manage infrastructure assets throughout their lifecycle.
The benefits are clear:
- Improved Efficiency: Real-time insights help teams make faster, data-driven decisions.
- Enhanced Sustainability: Digital twins enable scenario modeling to reduce environmental impact.
- Increased Resilience: Predictive maintenance and analytics extend the lifespan of assets.
Now, let’s get into real-world examples of how Bentley Digital Twins software is making a difference globally.
Real-World Examples of Bentley Digital Twins in Action
1. Thames Tideway Tunnel, London, UK
- Project Overview: The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a 25-kilometer “super sewer” designed to prevent sewage overflow into the River Thames during rainstorms. A joint venture between Costain, VINCI, and Bachy Soletanche, this project aims to improve water quality for the next 120 years.
- Role of Bentley Digital Twins: The project team used Bentley’s digital twin technology to visualize the entire construction process. By integrating BIM data, IoT sensors, and reality meshes, the digital twin enabled real-time monitoring and scenario modeling, ensuring alignment between design and construction.
- Impact: The digital twin reduced annual sewage discharges into the River Thames by approximately 95%, enhancing environmental sustainability. It also improved collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
2. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
- Project Overview: St. Peter’s Basilica, a Renaissance architectural marvel completed in 1626, has been digitally preserved through a comprehensive digital twin. This virtual model captures intricate details of the Basilica’s structure for ongoing preservation and restoration.
- Role of Bentley Digital Twins: Engineers used Bentley’s software, along with cutting-edge technologies like helium airships and laser scanning, to create a precise 3D model. The digital twin provides detailed insights into the cathedral’s structural health, enabling proactive maintenance.
- Impact: The digital twin supports the Vatican’s efforts to welcome 35 million visitors during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. It also offers a virtual experience for those unable to visit, democratizing access to this cultural landmark while ensuring its long-term preservation.
3. ITER Nuclear Fusion Reactor, France
- Project Overview: The ITER project is an international collaboration to build the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor, mimicking the sun’s energy production for a carbon-free future.
- Role of Bentley Digital Twins: Bentley’s digital twin technology, including 4D immersive modeling, was used to simulate the assembly process before construction. This ensured high precision and effective management of complex machinery and structures.
- Impact: The digital twin enabled the project team to optimize workflows, reduce risks, and enhance safety. By simulating scenarios, the team could anticipate challenges, ensuring the reactor’s eventual success in delivering sustainable energy.
How Bentley Digital Twins Drive Sustainability and Resilience
Bentley’s partnership with Google, leveraging Google Maps Platform’s Photorealistic 3D Tiles, enhances the geospatial context of digital twins. Thus, this integration provides professionals with a comprehensive understanding of project environments, enabling better decision-making. Posts on X highlight how digital twins are transforming water conservation, emphasizing their role in sustainability.
For example:
- Predictive Maintenance: AI-driven analytics, integrated into Bentley’s iTwin Platform, identify potential issues before they occur, reducing downtime and extending asset lifespans.
- Environmental Impact: Digital twins allow teams to evaluate environmental conditions like lighting, traffic flow, and wind speed, ensuring sustainable designs.
Resilience: Projects like the Thames Tideway Tunnel demonstrate how digital twins mitigate risks, such as wastewater pollution, ensuring long-term resilience.
The Future of Infrastructure with Bentley Digital Twins
The global digital twin market is projected to grow from $3 billion in 2020 to $48 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 58% (MarketsandMarkets). Bentley’s iTwin Platform, built on open APIs and libraries, supports this growth by enabling developers to create tailored digital twin applications. The platform’s open-source approach ensures data interoperability, allowing seamless collaboration across disciplines and vendors.
As infrastructure faces challenges like climate change, rapid urbanization, and aging assets, digital twins offer a path forward. Bentley’s strategic acquisitions, such as Cesium and Blyncsy, further strengthen its capabilities, integrating AI and advanced geospatial data into its offerings.
Bentley Digital Twins software is transforming infrastructure projects worldwide, from the Thames Tideway Tunnel in London to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the ITER project in France. By leveraging real-time data, AI-driven analytics, and advanced visualization. Bentley also empowers professionals to design, build, and operate assets with greater efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. As the digital twin market continues to grow, Bentley’s iTwin Platform remains at the forefront, driving innovation and collaboration.
Ready to explore how digital twins can transform your next project? Learn more about Bentley Systems’ offerings and start building a smarter, more sustainable future today by reaching out to Tessy at tessy.o@costechcomputers.com.ng