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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Mixed Reality for Education MRE Implementation and Results in Online Classes for Engineering
Published on: June 23, 2023
Digital twins as education support in construction: a first development framework based on the Reference Construction
Rushi Dai1, Sigrid Brell-Çokcan1
1Individualized Production in Architecture, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Abstract:
The Reference Construction Site Aachen West, located in Aachen, Germany, is a campus-based living lab for research and university education in construction. To ensure and improve the education quality, this paper researches a new study tool in the form of a digital twin framework powered by the Unreal Engine. By implementing MQTT, an IoT communication protocol, the digital twin realizes synchronicity of cyber-physical bi-directional data flows. Representing the virtual Reference Construction Site, an online multiplayer application was developed as a use case to answer the research questions: (1) how to design the digital twin and structure in an extendable and accessible development framework for different users and (2) how to support education in construction with this digital twin. To validate the concept, a group of students were invited online to explore the application and provide user feedback. Results show positive effects of the digital twin on enhancing the quality of the online education in construction with its real-time interaction and data from on-site machinery and processes. The digital twin is planned to be transferred to research and construction projects.
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