Digital Twins Optimize Bridge Decommissioning for Circular Economy

Why It Matters

This approach moves beyond traditional end-of-life considerations by proactively planning for material reuse, repurposing, and recycling. It provides designers and asset managers with critical data to make informed decisions that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource value throughout an infrastructure's entire lifecycle.

Key Finding

The research found that the initial construction phase of bridges generates the most significant carbon emissions and costs. Therefore, a well-planned demolition strategy, enabled by digital twin technology, is essential to effectively manage waste and promote the reuse and recycling of materials, aligning with circular economy principles.

Key Findings

• The construction stage is the primary contributor to carbon emissions and costs in the asset lifecycle.
• Strategic demolition planning is crucial for maximizing the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of materials.
• Digital twin technology can effectively quantify and optimize lifecycle costs and carbon footprints for demolition scenarios.

Research Evidence

Aim: How can digital twin technology, driven by BIM data, be utilized to develop strategic demolition plans that optimize both lifecycle cost and carbon footprint for bridge infrastructure, thereby promoting circular asset management?

Method: Simulation and Modelling

Procedure: A three-dimensional BIM model incorporating time, cost, and carbon emission data was created for a bridge infrastructure. This model was then used to drive a digital twin that simulated various demolition scenarios. The lifecycle cost and carbon footprint of each scenario were quantified and optimized to identify the most sustainable end-of-life strategy.

Context: Infrastructure asset management, specifically bridge decommissioning.

Design Principle

Design for Disassembly and Material Circularity: Plan for the end-of-life phase during the initial design to facilitate material recovery, reuse, and recycling.

How to Apply

When planning for the end-of-life of any significant built asset, utilize digital twin technology to simulate and analyze various demolition and material recovery strategies, prioritizing those that maximize circularity and minimize environmental impact.

Limitations

The study focused on a specific bridge infrastructure; generalizability to other types of infrastructure may vary. The accuracy of the digital twin is dependent on the quality and completeness of the BIM data.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: Imagine a digital copy of a bridge that can show you the best way to take it apart at the end of its life to reuse its materials and reduce waste.

Why This Matters: This research shows how we can be smarter about building and then taking things apart, making sure we don't waste resources and harm the environment.

Critical Thinking: How can the principles of strategic demolition planning and digital twin integration be applied to smaller-scale products to promote a more circular economy?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research highlights the critical role of digital twin technology, integrated with BIM, in enabling strategic demolition planning for bridge infrastructures. By quantifying lifecycle costs and carbon footprints, such approaches facilitate enhanced circular asset management, moving towards carbon neutrality and maximizing material reuse, repurposing, and recycling at the end of an asset's life.

Project Tips

• When researching materials, consider their end-of-life potential for reuse or recycling.
• Explore how digital tools can help visualize and plan for the entire lifecycle of a product, not just its creation.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the importance of lifecycle assessment and circular economy principles in your design project.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of the full lifecycle of a product, including its disposal and potential for circularity.

Independent Variable: Digital twin-driven demolition scenarios

Dependent Variable: Lifecycle cost and carbon footprint

Controlled Variables: Bridge infrastructure characteristics, BIM data quality

Strengths

• Novel application of digital twins for demolition planning.
• Quantification of both cost and environmental impact.

Critical Questions

• What are the barriers to widespread adoption of digital twin technology in infrastructure decommissioning?
• How can the data from digital twins be made more accessible and actionable for a wider range of stakeholders?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the potential of digital twins for optimizing the end-of-life management of various product categories, such as electronics or furniture, focusing on material recovery and circularity.

Source

Digital twin-driven strategic demolition plan for circular asset management of bridge infrastructures · Scientific Reports · 2025 · 10.1038/s41598-025-94117-8