A Digital Twin for Durability to Accelerate Development and Enable Predictive Maintenance (DuraTwin)

Purpose and goal

Modern vehicles are used in a harsh vibration environment, which requires extensive analysis and testing to verify structural integrity. The project develops a methodology based on digital twins to synchronize virtual models with test data. The aim is to better coordinate analysis and testing during the development phase and enable health monitoring during the user phase. Methods and tools developed in the project are implemented in a road simulator rig with the goal of creating a live demonstrator that can be used for future testing and development of the technology.

Expected effects and result

The project has significant potential to accelerate the ongoing development of clean and energy-efficient technologies and offer new services in the form of predictive maintenance and also support circularity through the reuse of vehicle components and increased vehicle uptime. The project promotes innovation and collaboration in the road transport sector with participants from two vehicle manufacturers, a research institute and a university. The developed demonstrator can be used as a common platform for future testing and development of the technology.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is carried out with an industrial PhD student at Group Trucks Technology (AB Volvo), academic supervision via Chalmers, as well as senior researchers from Safety Center - Durability CV at Volvo Cars (VCC) and the Department of Chemistry and Applied Mechancis at RISE. Algorithms are first developed in a simulation environment where vehicle models from industry partners are used to generate synthetic test data, followed by verification on a road simulator rig. The results will be disseminated at workshops, seminars, conferences, publications and a licentiate thesis.