This session presents recent developments in the application of digital twin technologies for the assessment, monitoring, and prediction of structural integrity, materials performance, and engineering processes. Digital twins enable the creation of dynamic virtual representations of physical components and structures that are continuously informed by experimental measurements, monitoring data, and computational models. By integrating sensing technologies, structural health monitoring systems, and data-driven modelling approaches, digital twins provide a powerful framework for understanding complex material behaviour and structural response under real operating conditions. Contributions will address how integrated digital representations of physical assets can be used to capture the evolving condition of structures and materials throughout their operational life.
The session will highlight interdisciplinary research and applications will span a wide range of engineering domains, including mechanical, aerospace, civil, and materials engineering, demonstrating how digital twin frameworks can support improved design strategies, optimized maintenance planning, and enhanced lifecycle management of engineering systems. Case studies from different engineering sectors will illustrate how such frameworks can support improved reliability assessment, risk mitigation strategies, and long-term asset management.
Indicative subtopics (non-exclusive):
- Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and intelligent diagnostics
- Digital image correlation (DIC)
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) and evaluation methods
- Data-driven modelling and machine learning in engineering, durability and reliability of mechanical systems
- Uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis
- Fatigue and fracture under cyclic and dynamic loading
- Failure of metals, composites, and geomaterials
- Dynamic behaviour of mechanical and energy systems
- Experimental and numerical characterization of heritage materials
- Sensor fusion and real-time monitoring systems
- Multi-scale modelling of material degradation, damage evolution and performance assessment of advanced and smart materials
- Decision-support tools for engineering system management
- Applications in mechanical, aerospace, civil, and geotechnical structures