TY - JOUR A1 - AlBalkhy, Wassim A1 - Karmaoui, Dorra A1 - Ducoulombier, Laure A1 - Lafhaj, Zoubeir A1 - Linner, Thomas T1 - Digital twins in the built environment: Definition, applications, and challenges JF - Automation in Construction N2 - Digital Twins (DT) implementation in the Built Environment (BE) industry is still in its early stages. Aiming to increase the knowledge about DT, this study analyzes how DT can be understood in the BE sector and investigates its different potential benefits and expected challenges. To do so, the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed. Using 228 publications, the current study presents a proposed definition and structure for DT systems. The proposed structure is based on four main layers: physical, digital, application, and user layers. The study also classified the applications of DT into six groups: sustainability and environmental, facility management, safety, health, and risk management, structural performance, construction management, and architectural and urban-related applications. The challenges of DT implementation were also grouped based on industry-related, social and organizational, economic, technological, and political and legal challenges. Based on the results, future research directions and practical recommendations were presented to support the successful deployment of the technology. KW - Digital Twins (DT) KW - Digital technologies KW - Built Environment (BE) KW - Construction KW - Construction 4.0 Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105368 VL - 162 PB - Elsevier ER -