Digital Twins
A digital twin is a virtual replica or digital counterpart of a physical object, system, or process (the physical twin). It is continuously updated in real-time with data from the physical twin and is used to simulate, integrate, test, monitor, optimize, and predict the performance or behavior of its real-world counterpart.
How does it work?
Sensors embedded in the physical twin collect data. This data is continuously transmitted to the digital twin, which updates the digital representation of its physical counterpart in real-time. The digital twin can then be used to simulate, test, monitor, predict, and optimize the behavior and performance of its physical counterpart.
Example: Monitoring Structural Fatigue
A vessel’s hull and structural components experience cyclical loads from waves, engine vibrations, cargo shifting, and wind. Over time, these repeated loads can lead to fatigue in materials, which, if undetected, may result in cracking or even structural failure.
The digital twin can assist in managing structural fatigue as follows:
1. Data Collection. Sensors embedded in critical areas of the vessel—such as hull plating, deck beams, and bulkheads—measure key parameters, including strain (deformation), vibration, load cycles, temperature, and corrosion.
2. Synchronization. The data is continuously transmitted to the digital twin, which dynamically updates the virtual model in real time to reflect the vessel’s structural condition.
3. Predictive Maintenance. The digital twin analyzes stress distribution, estimates fatigue life, and predicts crack initiation and propagation. It provides insight into areas at high risk of fatigue damage and calculates the remaining useful life of structural components.
4. Decision Support. Based on the insights generated, ship operators and designers can adapt operating profiles to reduce structural loads, plan and prioritize inspections, maintenance and repairs, and improve future designs.
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