Digital Twin-Based Construction Monitoring for Carbon and Resource Efficiency

About this opportunity

Applicants for this opportunity must be eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation funding.

The building and construction industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 37% of global emissions. As operational energy efficiency improves, increasing attention is being directed toward embodied carbon and construction-stage impacts, including material use, transport, equipment operation, temporary energy consumption on site, and construction waste. However, these impacts are often assessed after key design and construction decisions have already been made. This limits the ability of project teams to respond to carbon hotspots, material inefficiencies, and resource waste during construction.

Digital twin technology offers an opportunity to address this limitation by creating a dynamic digital representation of a construction project. When integrated with Building Information Modelling, site records, material delivery data, sensors, schedules, and life cycle assessment databases, digital twins can support real-time or near-real-time monitoring of carbon emissions and resource use. This enables project teams to track construction progress, material consumption, equipment use, and waste generation more effectively.

This PhD project aims to develop a digital twin-based framework for monitoring carbon and resource efficiency during construction. The framework could support proactive decision-making, improve construction stage carbon reporting, and contribute to more efficient, lower-carbon construction management practices.

Location

The University of Waikato, Hamilton campus, New Zealand.

Applicants should have a background in civil engineering, construction management, construction engineering, digital construction, or a related field.

Experience or strong interest in digital twins, BIM, construction monitoring, LCA, and sustainable construction.

Skills in digital modelling, BIM and LCA tools, construction data management, and data analysis would be an advantage.

Eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation funding.

Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at the University of Waikato.