Building Information Twinning: Investigating the Software Architecture of a Building’s Digital Twin

This thesis critically examines the adaptation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to receive real-time sensor data, bringing it closer to a representational paradigm known as ’Digital Twin’ (DT) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, current monolithic BIM systems struggle with this integration, as demonstrated by the development of a construction LiDAR to BIM translation service. To address these challenges, the research proposes a microservices-based architecture with Docker containers, enabling efficient communication, adaptable data handling, and enhanced scalability. This thesis contrasts this novel approach against traditional methods, revealing its improved handling in dependency management and scalability. It concludes by advocating for a distributed, task-oriented BIM system that aligns with the increasingly collaborative AEC industry and modern software development practices.