Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
Dozens of tunnels are scheduled for renovation and replacement. And a tunnel out of service is a guarantee for traffic jams and traffic jams in our country. For asset owners, it's all about making this operation as smooth as possible. According to tunnel safety consultant Eric Hof of engineering and consulting firm Antea Group, the virtual twin tunnel is going to help with this.
The task facing asset owners is by no means an easy one, according to Hof: "In South Holland alone, eight tunnels have to be renovated. This creates major obstacles in a road network that is already under enormous pressure. A tunnel is out of operation for at least six months due to renovation. Time you desperately need to build, test tunnel systems, train operators and allow emergency services to practice with it."
A digital living tunnel copy
Asset owners or managers are therefore looking for acceleration. For example, they are looking at the high-tech industry. Here it is common practice to test and validate designs using prototypes in advance. Building a physical test version is unfeasible for a work of art. But there is an alternative. Hof: "Thanks to new technology, you can virtualize 3D-BIM models and simulate dynamic behaviors. With this, you create a digital and living copy of your tunnel: the Digital Twin."
A range of possibilities
This virtual twin tunnel opens up a range of possibilities. Hof: "With such a virtual copy, you can develop, test and validate systems even before the tunnel is physically there. Take the PLC control software of tunnel systems: it doesn't notice the difference between a virtual or physical tunnel. When the software works flawlessly virtually, you transfer it one-to-one to its physical counterpart. You have then already done the necessary (integration) testing virtually."
Virtual training and education
Thus, there are more advantages. The Digital Twin greatly shortens the physical training and exercise period after tunnel realization. Hof: "With a virtual test and practice platform you can simulate all kinds of scenarios. This enables you to train road traffic controllers or tunnel operators, emergency workers and operational managers while the tunnel is still being built or renovated. Think of an operator going through his training in a virtual traffic center while a trainer watches from a distance. Or emergency services already doing virtual exercises."
Road traffic controllers, emergency responders and operators can get early digital knowledge of the renovated tunnel.
Smarter maintenance
Another advantage is that the virtual twin lasts the entire life of a tunnel. Future modifications to the tunnel and its systems automatically transfer to the virtual copy. Mechanics and inspectors (by then equipped with VR glasses) will always have manuals and the current maintenance status at hand during repairs or inspection rounds. Hof: "And will you be asked in a few years to study the effects of a new system for self-driving cars? In your virtual tunnel you can test extensively."
The business case
And what about the business case? "Of course, building a virtual twin requires an additional investment up front. But it's one that pays off. Take the closure of the Heinenoord Tunnel. Based on the number of vehicle loss hours, this costs the Netherlands BV at least a few tons of euros every stoppage day. Just calculate what you will gain or save if, thanks to a virtual twin, you can get this tunnel, and all the tunnels after it, up and running two months faster," concludes Hof.
