Digital Twin in the construction industry characteristics, benefits, and challenges

Abstract

A Master of Science thesis in Construction Management by Noora Sibaa entitled, “Digital Twin in the construction industry characteristics, benefits, and challenges”, submitted in June 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Sameh El-Sayegh. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).This thesis evaluates the current characteristics, benefits, and challenges of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry. The main aim of the thesis is to enhance the understanding of Digital Twins (DT) in construction by identifying, analyzing, and ranking these aspects as presented in the literature review. To achieve this, the research first reviewed relevant literature to extract key characteristics, benefits, and challenges, and then assessed their relevance within the construction industry. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather data for this assessment, with 81 valid responses from professionals of diverse roles and experience levels. Most of the respondents had over 10 years of experience and were involved in large-scale projects. The highest-ranked DT characteristics identified were data integration, data collection, and trusted structured data. The most significant benefit is focused on sustainability, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency. Conversely, the main challenges reported were cybersecurity risks, undefined access rights, and shortage of skilled professionals. Finally, this research aims to support industry professionals and decision-makers in adopting DT with more confidence and clarity, helping bridge the gap between digital ambition and practical implementation.College of EngineeringDepartment of Civil EngineeringMaster of Science in Construction Management (MSCM