Digital twin for sustainable requirement specification and follow-up of buildings´ use, function and performance

Purpose and goal:

The overall objective of the project is to investigate and propose how a digital twin can contribute to more sustainable requirements in construction and property development projects. This is done by developing and validating a digital twin for the campus area of the Ångström laboratory at Uppsala University, using it to analyze the actual use of and energy performance of the buildings in operation, and proposing how a digital twin of this type could improve the ability to set sharper and more sustainable requirements for buildings.

Expected results and effects:

The project contributes to increased sustainability within the construction and civil engineering sector through methodology for formulating and following up sharper requirements for buildings, as well as methodology for continuously following and adapting operation to actual use. The plan is for the results to be taken further within the participating organizations and for the methodology in the project to be applicable to more campus areas in Sweden and to serve as a model for setting requirements and follow-up also for properties outside the participating organizations.

Approach and implementation:

A digital twin for the Ångström laboratory campus area is developed, consisting of a physical simulation model for the buildings and their technical systems. Mathematical models for simulating and forecasting occupancy patterns in the buildings will be developed and integrated into the digital twin based on collection of occupancy data. The project is carried out in collaboration between the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University, the Building Department, Uppsala University, and Akademiska Hus.