Digital Twin-Enabled Supply Chain Management with Visibility and Traceability: A Case Study

Effective management of the building materials supply chain is critical for construction projects, especially in densely populated cities like Hong Kong, with its high-rise buildings and challenging terrain. This paper aims to address the gap in current research, which focuses primarily on logistics road conditions and networks but overlooks detailed logistics data for individual materials. To enhance supply chain performance, we propose a digital twin-supported supply chain management framework that improves visibility and traceability. The framework integrates digital twins, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Global Positioning System (GPS), and smart sensors to provide real-time project management across the construction process. The framework was validated through a case study of a water pump house project in Hong Kong, demonstrating its effectiveness in tracking material procurement, delivery, on-site distribution, and scheduling. It has the potential to benefit end-users by enhancing construction project efficiency in Hong Kong.