On key technologies for realising digital twins for structural dynamics applications

The term digital twin has gained increasing popularity over the last few years. The concept, loosely based on a virtual model framework that can replicate a particular system for contexts of interest over time, will require the development and integration of several key technologies in order to be fully realised. This paper, focusing on vibration-related problems in mechanical systems, discusses these key technologies as the building blocks of a digital twin. The example of a simulation digital twin that can be used for asset management is then considered. After briefly discussing the building blocks required, the process of data-augmented modelling is selected for detailed investigation. This concept is one of the defining characteristics of the digital twin idea, and using a simple numerical example, it is shown how augmenting a model with data can be used to compensate for the inherent model discrepancy. Finally the implications of this type of data augmentation for future digital twin technology is discussed.