Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)-Derived 3D Models for Digital Twin Construction Applications

Abstract

The advent of Construction 4.0 has marked a paradigm shift in industrial development, integrating advanced technologies such as cyber-physical systems (CPS), sensors, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), building information modeling (BIM), and robotics. Notably, UASs have emerged as invaluable tools seamlessly embedded in construction processes, facilitating the comprehensive monitoring and digitization of construction projects from the early design phase through construction to the post-construction phases. Equipped with various sensors, such as imaging sensors, light detection and rangers (LiDAR), and thermal sensors, UASs play an important role in data collection processes, especially for 3D point cloud generation. Presently, UASs are recognized as one of the most effective means of generating a Digital Twin (DT) of construction projects, surpassing traditional methods in terms of speed and accuracy. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of UAS-derived 3D models in DT, outlining their advantages and barriers and offering recommendations to augment their quality and accuracy.