A recent research presents a digital-twin-based structural health monitoring system for dikes that integrates real-time sensor data into a 3D BIM environment to enable predictive maintenance and enhance flood protection resilience.
Imagine a world where dikes — those long mounds of earth protecting cities from floods — could talk. What if they could sense danger, predict problems, and call for help before anything breaks? That’s no longer science fiction. Thanks to digital twins and smart sensors, we’re building flood barriers that can think. New research brings structural health monitoring (SHM) of dikes into the digital age!
Traditional flood protection dikes are built to last decades, but they face a silent enemy: invisible internal damage. Cracks, seepage, and shifting materials don’t always show up until it’s too late.
Currently, most dike maintenance relies on:
That’s risky business, especially in the face of climate change, rising sea levels, and more intense storms. We need a better way — enter the Digital Twin.
It's a virtual replica of a real-world object — in this case, a dike — that evolves in real time using live data. It’s more than just a 3D model. It:
So think of it as the dike’s smart, digital self.
The research team designed a full Digital Twin-Based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system using a real lab-built dike. Here’s how they did it:
Using BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools, they created a detailed 3D model of the dike. The model:
Here’s where it gets exciting:
All communication follows international IoT standards, making it scalable and future-proof.
What makes this system truly valuable is real-time monitoring and contextualization. For example:
This is predictive maintenance in action — fixing issues before they escalate.
Yes, and impressively so.
This digital twin system is just the beginning. The potential is massive:
The concept needs to scale from lab dikes to real ones by rivers and coasts. Pilot projects could:
As more data flows in, AI could:
Imagine a network of digital twins — not just dikes, but:
All talking to each other, sharing risks, and responding as one. That’s the smart city of the future!
Floods are becoming more frequent and intense. But with digital twins, we can move from reacting to predicting. Dikes can become smart, self-aware guardians that warn us before things go wrong.
This research is a huge step in that direction — combining engineering wisdom with digital innovation. Engineers, policymakers, and technologists must now work together to make digital twin powered infrastructure the new normal.
Digital Twin - A digital twin is a virtual, real-time copy of a physical structure (like a dike), constantly updated with live data to monitor and predict how it's doing — think of it as a "smart clone" that helps engineers keep an eye on the real thing. - More about this concept in the article "Building Trust in Smart Factories | How Engineers Are Embedding Ethics into AI".
Dike - A dike is a long wall or embankment made of earth or other materials, built to hold back water and prevent flooding in low-lying areas — it’s like a giant barrier between land and water.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) - SHM is the use of sensors and data to constantly check the condition of a structure, like a dike or a bridge, helping detect damage or wear before it becomes a serious problem — basically a 24/7 health check-up for infrastructure. - More about this concept in the article "Cracking the Code of Skyscraper Safety | How AI Is Revolutionizing Structural Damage Detection!".
Sensor Network - A sensor network is a group of small electronic devices that gather real-time information (like water pressure or movement) from a structure and send it to computers for analysis.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) - BIM is a smart 3D model of a structure (like a dike) that holds not just the shape but also info about materials, sensors, and history — it’s a digital blueprint with brains! - More about this concept in the article "Building a Greener Future: Exploring the Driving Forces Behind China's Low-Carbon Construction Revolution".
IoT (Internet of Things) - IoT is a system where physical devices like sensors are connected to the internet, letting them send data and talk to software — it’s what makes a dike “smart.” - More about this concept in the article "From Farm to Future | How a New Tool is Transforming Sensor Data Fusion in Agriculture and Animal Welfare".
Seepage Level - The seepage level is the amount of water that moves through or under a dike, which can be dangerous if it gets too high — monitoring this helps predict possible leaks or failures.
Predictive Maintenance - Predictive maintenance means fixing problems before they happen, using data and trends — much smarter (and cheaper) than waiting for things to break! - More about this concept in the article "Agentic AI in Industry 5.0 | How Talking to Your Factory Is Becoming the New Normal".
OGC SensorThings API - A standard language that lets sensors and software talk to each other easily — it ensures that all data can be shared and understood, no matter who made the devices.
Bornholdt, M.; Herbrand, M.; Smarsly, K.; Zehetmaier, G. Digital-Twin-Based Structural Health Monitoring of Dikes. CivilEng 2025, 6, 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng6030039
