Hanyang University develops digital twin framework for relocatable modular buildings

Hanyang University ERICA team publishes digital twin framework to improve relocatable modular building management

What happened: A research team led by an associate professor at the School of Architecture & Architectural Engineering at Hanyang University ERICA has published a new digital twin–based facility management framework designed for relocatable modular buildings. The peer‑reviewed paper appears in a 2025 issue of a construction automation journal and is identified by DOI 10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106249.

Key findings and system overview

The team developed a system called a digital twin–enabled facility management system, or DT‑FMS, that fuses three core technologies: building information modeling, Internet of Things sensing, and geographic information systems. The integrated model is built to support real‑time monitoring, ongoing performance analysis, and logistics simulation across the life of relocatable modular units.

The DT‑FMS is organized into three interconnected layers: a physical layer for tracking and communications among hardware, modular units and people; a digital layer where BIM models, data integration and analytics run; and a service layer that lets users monitor, control and interact with the digital twin to support lifecycle decision making. The physical layer explicitly includes stakeholders such as engineers and workers to reflect human roles in operations.

Why it matters

The framework is aimed at improving how relocatable modular buildings are monitored, moved, reused and managed over time. By combining BIM’s 3D modeling and rich building data with IoT’s live sensor feeds and GIS’s spatial context, the DT‑FMS supports faster, better informed choices about module distribution, relocation and reconfiguration.

Demonstration and outcomes

Researchers put the framework into practice through a case study of a relocatable modular school system in South Korea. Results showed the DT‑FMS improved management efficiency and supported decisions on how to distribute and reuse modules. The case study demonstrated practical logistics simulation and helped identify reuse opportunities that extend asset life and reduce waste.

Research team and review

The lead research team was headed by an associate professor at Hanyang University ERICA and included contributions from a doctor of the same university. The published article lists full authorship under the paper title “Digital twin framework to enhance facility management for relocatable modular buildings” in the 2025 volume of the journal, and includes the DOI noted above. The summarized story page is dated August 14, 2025, is attributed to Hanyang University ERICA, and indicates the piece was edited by an editor and reviewed by a scientific editor. The page also states that the content was fact‑checked and proofread and that a brief summary line was automatically generated using a large language model.

Broader context: modular construction trends and constraints

Modular construction is expanding rapidly in South Korea and globally, with firms developing everything from single‑story units to taller residential towers. Modular methods are credited with shorter construction timelines, more consistent quality, lower onsite labor requirements and potential sustainability gains. Several major builders and contractors are pursuing large modular programs and international projects that blend modular units with renewable energy and smart‑city concepts.

At the same time, challenges remain. Regulatory benchmarks, transport limits, heavy lifting needs, and the need to meet fire‑resistance standards for taller buildings are ongoing hurdles. Modular production also carries a cost premium driven largely by upfront factory and logistics investments in a market that is still scaling. Analysts project strong market growth through the late 2020s, and industry observers point to labor shortages and demographic pressures as drivers for further offsite production adoption.

Implications for circularity and lifecycle value

Alongside operational benefits, the DT‑FMS is presented as a tool for enabling circular economy practices in modular construction. By tracking condition, location and configuration possibilities, the system can identify when units should be reused, reconfigured or relocated to maximize value across repeated project cycles and to minimize waste from premature disposal.

Practical notes about the published summary page

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