How the Architecture, Engineering and Construction CoE Drives Data-Driven Inspection and Maintenance

At RDT, innovation is driven through applied research and its direct transfer into real industrial solutions. The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Centre of Excellence plays a key role in advancing digital methodologies that improve the inspection, monitoring and maintenance of complex assets.

As part of this effort, a recent research article published in DYNA (January 2026) explores how the combined use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Digital Twins can significantly enhance inspection and maintenance strategies in demanding industrial environments.

Addressing the challenges of complex asset inspection

Large-scale and distributed assets—such as energy infrastructures, industrial facilities and built environments—requiLarge and geographically distributed assets require frequent inspections to ensure safety, reliability and performance. Traditional inspection approaches often involve high operational costs, safety risks and fragmented data, limiting the transition towards predictive maintenance strategies.

The AEC addresses these challenges by combining digital engineering methodologies with advanced inspection technologies.

UAVs as enablers of smarter inspections

UAVs allow safe and efficient access to hard-to-reach areas, enabling:

  • High-resolution visual inspections
  • Faster data acquisition
  • Reduced downtime and operational impact
  • Improved safety for inspection teams

Within RDT, UAVs are used as structured data capture platforms, providing reliable inspection data that can be reused across digital environments.

Digital Twins: turning data into insight

Digital Twins provide a virtual representation of physical assets, enabling inspection data to be contextualised, analysed and reused throughout the asset lifecycle. By integrating UAV inspection data into BIM-based Digital Twins, organisations gain better visibility of asset condition and can support more informed maintenance decisions.

This approach enables a shift from reactive inspections towards data-driven and predictive maintenance models.

Research supporting applied solutions

The DYNA publication presents a methodology that integrates UAV inspections with an Early-Stage Digital Twin, supported by real-time data streaming and scalable digital platforms. While focused on onshore wind farms, the proposed approach is applicable to multiple industrial and infrastructure sectors.

📄 Article reference:

Towards the Combined Use of UAVs and Digital Twins as Enablers of Inspection & Maintenance Duties in Onshore Wind Farms

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52152/D11415

This research reinforces the applied solutions developed within RDT to improve inspection efficiency and asset management.

The role of the AEC Centre of Excellence

The RDT AEC Centre of Excellence brings together expertise in engineering, BIM, digital transformation and UAV inspections to deliver integrated, value-driven solutions that enhance asset performance, safety and sustainability.

By combining UAVs, Digital Twins and advanced analytics, RDT supports organisations in evolving towards smarter inspection and maintenance strategies.