Digital twins for dynamic life cycle assessment in the built environment.
Journal:
The Science of the total environment
Published Date:
Jul 2, 2025
Abstract
Dynamic life cycle assessment (LCA) integrated with digital twin technologies is emerging as a transformative approach to evaluating and managing environmental performance in the built environment. This study presents the Building Life-cycle Digital Twin (BLDT) framework-a novel methodology that combines real-time data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices, machine learning algorithms, and semantic interoperability to deliver dynamic, predictive, and high-resolution LCA for construction and infrastructure systems. The framework, developed within the Computational Urban Sustainability Platform (CUSP), addresses the limitations of traditional static LCA by enabling continuous, data-driven sustainability assessments. Incorporating predictive modelling, BLDT empowers stakeholders with timely insights into energy use, emissions, and health and safety performance, supporting proactive environmental decision-making. Validated through a case study at the Port of Grimsby, the BLDT framework facilitated a 25% reduction in energy consumption while enhancing operational efficiency. These results demonstrate the model's potential to support decarbonisation strategies, regulatory compliance, and long-term planning in the construction sector. By operationalising dynamic LCA through digital twins, this research contributes to the advancement of real-time sustainability analytics and resilient urban development.
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