The Reference Construction Site Aachen West, located in Aachen, Germany, is a campus-based living lab for research and university education in construction. To ensure and improve the education quality, this paper researches a new study tool in the form of a digital twin framework powered by the Unreal Engine. By implementing MQTT, an IoT communication protocol, the digital twin realizes synchronicity of cyber-physical bi-directional data flows. Representing the virtual Reference Construction Site, an online multiplayer application was developed as a use case to answer the research questions: (1) how to design the digital twin and structure in an extendable and accessible development framework for different users and (2) how to support education in construction with this digital twin. To validate the concept, a group of students were invited online to explore the application and provide user feedback. Results show positive effects of the digital twin on enhancing the quality of the online education in construction with its real-time interaction and data from on-site machinery and processes. The digital twin is planned to be transferred to research and construction projects.

Easily-accessible and reliable data communication in construction processes ensures high building quality, efficient workflow and secure working environments. The setup of network infrastructure on construction sites provides the necessary condition for timely and effective data communication. This paper researches a solution for on-site networking by implementing an IoT network on a reference construction site in Germany. In contrast to high-cost and high-bandwidth network infrastructure, a Long Range Wide Area Network–LoRaWAN with low cost and low bandwidth was deployed on the site. With additional IoT servers and LoRa-enabled devices, the reference construction site is able to communicate remotely with a robotic lab. In order to validate this concept of LoRaWAN on construction sites, an intra-site logistics and task scheduling system was developed to test the network performance. This paper conducts a preliminary study on the application of the IoT network technology–LoRaWAN in the logistics automation in construction. The test results can be used as references for other automation applications, such as internet of robot, intelligent process management, decision making system, etc.

Data acquisition and transfer are crucial aspects of the digitization and automation of construction workflows. Through the integration of microcontrollers in machinery, a multitude of data can be acquired and analyzed to adapt fabrication processes and optimize performance. The goal of this research was to develop connected multi-functional robotic systems that can transfer data across a wireless network through MQTT, a robust and lightweight IoT communication protocol. This research demonstrates a use case for such interconnected robotic technology by establishing wireless communication through MQTT between a mobile robot and a plasma cutting station. A microcontroller was utilized in the digitization and automation of this steel construction process to obtain, process and transfer the data in a way that was monitorable and storable for managing and optimizing workflows.

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