Digital twins between manufacturing and AECO: current status and future prospects towards cross-domain coupling

Digital Twins of structures and systems are important for the future of digitalization, leading to optimized efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. In this context, the domains of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO), as well as industrial manufacturing, which have heretofore been regarded as distinct, are becoming increasingly interconnected because of shared objectives, including the optimization of resources, lifecycle management, and system interoperability. Digital Twins could be one method to bridge both domains. Distinct terms, guidelines, and standards form barriers on the way of interconnecting both disciplines. This paper analyses differences in the state of practice and the state of the art in order to suggest prospective ways for future integration. A common understanding of life cycles, processes, and data exchange will help to bridge the gap between both domains.