Assessing the Role of Digital Twin Technology in Building Construction: A Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

The building sector, in particular, accounts for about 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to the worldwide carbon footprint. Despite increasing efforts to promote sustainable construction through energy efficiency and environmental regulations, the industry still faces challenges in reducing its environmental impact. The two main objectives of this study are to examine how digital twin (DT) technology can support sustainable construction via life cycle assessment, decision support, and energy optimisation; and, secondly, to identify the primary facilitators and barriers to DT adoption in Malaysia’s construction sector. Professionals in Malaysia’s construction industry responded to a structured questionnaire as part of a quantitative research approach. This included project managers, contractors, engineers, and architects. Data analysis employed mean score ranking and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed five key factors that encourage DT adoption, with top management support for sustainability and the relative advantage ranking highest. Conversely, five significant obstacles were identified, notably high costs and a lack of standards. The results suggest that while DT technology is acknowledged for its potential to facilitate sustainable design and life cycle assessment, financial and complexity-related barriers still impede its adoption in Malaysia. Furthermore, this study offers a foundational framework for industry stakeholders aiming to prioritise investments and policy measures in Malaysia’s sustainable construction agenda, providing empirical evidence on DT adoption within a developing economy.