Multiple knowledge depiction of digital twin-driven circular economy: concepts, integrated advanced technologies, triple bottom line of smart construction, and exploratory case studies

Ongoing global issues arising from rapid societal and economic development intensify resource extraction, ending in waste and emissions. Digital technology-empowered circular economy (CE) practices potentially encounter these issues, leading to sustainable development (SD). Digital twin (DT), a building block of emerging digital technologies, is extensively employed to automate and modernize construction phases and services. However, the broader research body reflects knowledge gaps and evidence inadequacies. This study seeks to disseminate awareness of DT and how its adoption reinforces confidence in CE practices, prospectively nurturing the way for triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in construction. The study comprehensively and rigorously reviews DT deployment with a customized focus on building construction, delving into and analyzing the significance and bottlenecks. This research endeavors to apprise evidence of DT-driven CE uptake in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which has launched Vision 2030 to steer its nation towards a vibrant society, ambitious nation, and thriving economy. A four-step methodology is adopted for exploratory research case studies with a literature review. Pertinent literature is collected, focusing on 2020–2024. Subsequently, multiple cases from the KSA are explored to corroborate the phenomenon under scrutiny. Key findings discovered that DT capabilities enhanced with other technologies and tools strengthen physical and cyber systems and data infrastructure. DT-navigated CE shares a plethora of social, economic, and environmental opportunities in residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. This study encompasses theoretical and practical implications. It offers comprehensive insights into visionary concepts for the research community and construction industrialists, nurturing their understanding and motivating them to implement DT for CE catalysis, resulting in a multitude of TBL sustainable advantages. Besides, it bridges the gap between literature and practical real-world practices. The developed interdisciplinary framework enhances DT application feasibility in construction services within the boundaries of architecture, engineering, construction, and procurement services.