Applications and challenge of digital twin in life cycle of municipal pipe networks

Abstract Digital twin is the key technology to promote the life cycle digitalization and intelligent management of municipal pipe networks. To achieve intelligent closed‐loop management for the life cycle of municipal pipe networks, this paper first analyzed the meanings of “process‐oriented” and “object‐oriented” of digital twin and gave the connotation for the life cycle management of the digital‐twin‐driven municipal pipe networks. Second, on the basis of the application paradigms in typical scenarios of design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the life cycle management of the municipal pipe networks, this paper proposed the technical framework of digital twin‐driven municipal pipe networks. Finally, the existing challenges were discussed for the digital twin in the life cycle management of municipal pipe networks. The research shows that digital twin is the technical guarantee for the life cycle management of municipal pipe networks, and high‐fidelity digital “twinning” is an important prerequisite for realizing the function of digital twin.