ABSTRACT
The nature of a digital twin (DT) in the context of management of an engineering asset is discussed. Of focus are principles for designing a DT for maintenance planning. These principles are presented as a framework, and the use of the framework to design a DT is illustrated using a case study. The DT was developed at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and provides a platform to estimate the performance of different, competing policies for the restoration and replacement of membrane elements in reverse-osmosis pressure vessels. Seasonal algae blooms in the feedwater reservoir accelerate the degradation of these membranes, and the plant operator seeks to continuously improve the effectiveness of maintenance interventions. In the description of the case, we show how the principles are applied.
