Advancing Worker Safety and Productivity Through a Human Digital Twin Framework
Assistant Professor Fu Yuguang from NTU School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is leading the research on “Human Digital Twin Prototype of Industrial Workers Under Heat Exposure in the Climate Change and Post-Pandemic Era”. This project aims to model and digitalise workers’ physiological responses under heat stress, laying the groundwork for a Human Digital Twin framework that strengthens system resilience and improves worker health assessment.
In collaboration with China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co. Pte Ltd (CCDC) and supported by the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI), the project brings together expertise across construction operations, sports science, and data analytics.
The research features a multi-stage, multi-scenario experimental programme designed to capture how workers respond under controlled and real-world environments. During the experimental sessions, participants performed six representative construction activities, including rebar tying and sand shovelling, covering light, moderate, and heavy physical workloads.
Image: Experimental activities conducted inside the SSI Environmental Chamber.
A realistic and diverse dataset for analysing activity patterns and physical exertion is collected from these sessions. These datasets serve as the foundation for developing intelligent algorithms capable of fatigue detection, heat stress prediction, and productivity evaluation.
Moving forward, the research team and their partners will continue to explore the integration of sensing technologies, artificial intelligence, and construction engineering practices to develop robust, data-driven monitoring tools to enhance worksite safety and support the well-being of Singapore’s construction workforce.
The field activities were made possible through the dedicated support of Mr. Danny Lin and Mr. Lidan Chen from CCDC, ensuring a smooth integration of experimental procedures into ongoing construction workflows.
