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A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614141195223040 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Ingle, Andrew Richard |
| author2 | Basson, Anton |
| author_browse | Basson, Anton Ingle, Andrew Richard |
| author_facet | Basson, Anton Ingle, Andrew Richard |
| author_sort | Ingle, Andrew Richard |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134637 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:47:19.123Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134637 A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility Ingle, Andrew Richard Basson, Anton Steed, Clint Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Digital twins (Computer simulation) Water-supply engineering Water utilities Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Ingle, A. R. 2025. A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/ffe50dd0-7620-4646-a940-28cdc13a01f5 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The digitisation of bulk water utilities holds significant promise for improving the reliability and efficiency of water distribution systems. However, the continued reliance on legacy technologies, paper-based maintenance procedures, and the presence of distributed information repositories create challenges in ensuring that maintenance personnel have timely access to up-to-date information during critical maintenance operations. This thesis presents the architecture and proof-of-concept implementation of a digital twin (DT) system designed to enhance maintenance operations through augmented reality (AR). The system features a knowledge graph for mapping information from DT hierarchies, a system gateway for coordinating communication between internal and external application components, and external system adaptors for integrating diverse, heterogeneous data sources. The AR interface, developed for Android tablets using Unity and Vuforia, allows users to access relevant maintenance data and collaborate with other users through tools such as annotated image sharing and messaging. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate system performance. Each experiment was designed to reflect common use cases encountered in industrial maintenance scenarios. These experiments showed that information is delivered with low latency, resource utilisation remains efficient, and the system supports communication and collaboration among users. The modular architecture allows for straightforward expansion. Usability testing revealed that, while the AR interface is accessible for users familiar with mobile devices, some adjustment to the specific UI design was required. Notable limitations include the reliance on two-dimensional image-based annotation and the potential for bottlenecks at the communication gateway during high-bandwidth tasks. The work presented in this thesis contributes to the growing body of literature on DT and AR integration by demonstrating a practical implementation that utilises a knowledge graph and hand-held augmented reality. The proof-of-concept highlights how semantic data structures such as knowledge graphs can enable dynamic UI generation and improve interoperability in complex DT systems. The findings provide a foundation for further investigations into adaptive context-aware DT systems. From an industry perspective, the system offers a practical pathway for modernising maintenance operations in water distribution systems and similar infrastructure-intensive sectors. By reducing the reliance on paper-based processes, the architecture supports fast access to maintenance-critical information and collaboration between on-site and depot maintenance staff. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-12-19T12:27:45Z 2025-12-19T12:27:45Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134637 en Stellenbosch University xiii, 96 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Digital twins (Computer simulation) Water-supply engineering Water utilities Ingle, Andrew Richard A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title | A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title_full | A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title_fullStr | A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title_full_unstemmed | A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title_short | A digital twin system for AR-based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| title_sort | digital twin system for ar based maintenance support of bulk water utility |
| topic | Digital twins (Computer simulation) Water-supply engineering Water utilities |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134637 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ingleandrewrichard adigitaltwinsystemforarbasedmaintenancesupportofbulkwaterutility AT ingleandrewrichard digitaltwinsystemforarbasedmaintenancesupportofbulkwaterutility |