VHB collaborated with UNC Charlotte to co-author the article, "UNC Charlotte Learns About Its Water System Through a Digital Twin," published in the July 2026 issue of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Civil Engineering magazine. UNC Charlotte’s Kevin Moluf, PE, M.ASCE and VHB’s Dale Abbott, GISP, Richard Mathews Jr., PE, and Craig Schneider explore how the university transformed disconnected utility records, GIS data, hydraulic models, and water-meter information into a living digital twin of its campus water distribution system. Together they discuss how recurring low fire-flow issues across UNC Charlotte’s growing campus prompted the university to take a closer look at its water distribution network.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of system performance, UNC Charlotte partnered with VHB to develop a digital twin, a dynamic virtual model that integrates asset, network, and operational data to develop a more complete and reliable view of how the water network functions. This innovative tool allows engineers to evaluate how changes in one area of the system affect overall performance, helping identify hydraulic challenges, inform maintenance and planning decisions, and support future infrastructure investments.
As a living model, the digital twin will continue to evolve, enabling UNC Charlotte to enhance the reliability, resilience, and long-term management of its water system. Ultimately, this digital twin serves as a living asset-management and decision-support tool, helping UNC Charlotte shift from reacting to isolated issues to proactively managing its water system as an interconnected whole.
