From BIM Software to Virtual Construction Twin: The Next Step in AEC Innovation

BIM software is used to create 3D digital representations of buildings with embedded data, overtaking older 2D-drafting methods in design, construction, and facility management. Traditional BIM software allows creating building models mainly to enhance coordination of 2D design drawings. Dassault Systèmes’ virtual construction twin goes beyond BIM—fully simulating construction and operation. This means moving from static building information models to living virtual replicas of the construction project, where design performance, fabrication, logistics, and operational aspects can be tested digitally.

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Beyond Traditional BIM: What Sets the Virtual Construction Twin Apart

✅ End-to-End Project Simulation
Virtual twins merge design, regulations & construction expertise, enabling virtual testing of performance, logistics & assembly. Unlike typical siloed BIM, issues are solved upfront, boosting efficiency

🏗️ Construction Before Construction
Resolving on-site conflicts is costly. Virtual twins enable collaborative rehearsals to optimize buildability virtually, significantly reducing risks

🔗 Unified Platform vs. Siloed Tools
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE unifies all project data on the Cloud, ensuring seamless digital continuity

🧩 Productization & Modular Thinking
Legacy BIM software doesn't support modular assemblies. Virtual twins enable modular, product-like construction with standardized and adaptable, reusable components, enhancing scalability beyond traditional BIM

Elevating BIM Software with Virtual Construction Twin: Design, Simulate, Collaborate on One Platform

Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin strategy in AEC is underpinned by its flagship technologies: CATIA for design, DELMIA for construction simulation, all unified on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This trio forms the core of the “virtual construction twin” offering and is key to how Dassault Systèmes differentiates itself from other BIM software providers:

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CATIA – Beyond BIM with Productization

CATIA goes far beyond traditional BIM by offering precise parametric control and fabrication-level detail. It supports a modular design approach that is essential for developing a reusable product line across construction projects—a process known as “productization.” Design and construction knowledge is embedded into virtual construction "bricks," which leverage generative design and manufacturing concepts to easily adapt to new contexts.

Expert knowledge (IP) can be reused to accelerate detailed design, while explicitly modeled components ensure buildability and quantity accuracy from the outset. CATIA's generative visual scripting enables rule-based automation and fully customized solutions. With its capability to handle complex, free-form designs, CATIA elevates BIM into a true virtual twin experience.

More Info about Productization

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DELMIA – Virtual Simulation of Construction Processes

DELMIA is the solution for manufacturing and operations simulation. In construction, it simulates both offsite and onsite construction processes. Within the virtual construction twin, it allows creating realistic 4D construction sequences, modeling site operation logistics, and simulating equipment, materials, and crew movements in a virtual jobsite.

Offsite, DELMIA enables flow simulation to plan and operate a factory fully in sync with the demand of the construction project. This level of detail is typically outside the scope of standard BIM software.

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3DEXPERIENCE Platform – A Unified Collaboration & Data Environment

CATIA and DELMIA run on Dassault Systèmes’ cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform, a collaborative environment for architects, engineers, contractors, owners, building product manufacturers and more. It manages Design Review (compliant to ISO 19650), version control, permissions, and real-time data flow—providing a single source of truth and eliminating file exchanges.

Teams co-author in a shared model, with design reviews, issue tracking, and field feedback in one space. The platform supports operations too, tackling BIM’s key issue: interoperability and data silos.

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Key Benefits - Beyond BIM

Enhanced Collaboration

With a single source of truth, teams collaborate fluidly in real time on the same model, reducing miscommunication, duplicate work, and later surprises.

Scalability and Template Reuse

Virtual twins create reusable design templates that make new projects start faster. In contrast, traditional BIM projects start from scratch/ use less advanced templates.

Fewer Errors and Rework

A vetted virtual twin cuts construction errors by resolving issues early, reducing costly rework—unlike less integrated BIM projects with frequent late changes and RFIs.

Connecting BIM Software and GIS with Virtual Twins

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform integrates multiscale virtual twins, connecting geographic information systems (GIS) with building information modeling (BIM). It enables operators of transmission and distribution systems to better optimize infrastructure within its real-world context, while continuously tracking environmental variables to effectively leverage geospatial insights. Learn more in the video below.

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The objective of the virtual twin is to deliver on the promise of construction before construction. It means we can adjust all the irregularities that we imagine and to have a model that is really constructible and to avoid mistakes when we are on site. Once the design is finished and executed, questions are no longer raised about its integrity.

Frédéric GAL

Programme Director of Business Transformation Bouygues Construction

Beyond BIM Software: Dassault Systèmes’ Virtual Construction Twin in AEC

From BIM Software to Virtual Construction Twin: The Next Step in AEC Innovation

Beyond Traditional BIM: What Sets the Virtual Construction Twin Apart

Elevating BIM Software with Virtual Construction Twin: Design, Simulate, Collaborate on One Platform

Key Benefits - Beyond BIM

Connecting BIM Software and GIS with Virtual Twins

Contact Us to Expand your Capabilities beyond BIM!