What does the term 'digital twin' refer to in BIM?

The term 'digital twin' refers to a virtual replica of a physical building that allows for real-time monitoring and analysis. This concept is integral to Building Information Modeling (BIM) because it creates a dynamic and interactive model that reflects the physical attributes and behavior of a structure.

By using a digital twin, stakeholders, including architects, engineers, and facility managers, can visualize and analyze the real-time performance data collected from sensors placed on the actual building. This capability enhances maintenance, operational efficiency, and decision-making. The digital twin can simulate different conditions and scenarios, enabling proactive management rather than reactive responses to issues as they arise.

Other options do not align with the definition of a digital twin. The virtual representation of a software application pertains more to software development than construction; a type of building material refers to physical substances used in construction; and traditional architectural drafting refers to manual techniques used to create drawings, which does not involve the integration of real-time data or dynamic modeling.