Enabling a single source of truth through BIM and blockchain integration

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

Abstract

![CDATA[In the construction industry, where there is a complex structure and fragmented supply chain, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has played a key role in enabling integrated practice as a vital collaborative information model. However, construction supply chain (CSC) data are mostly stored in a BIM model by one actor and that could lead to dispute among CSC’s stakeholders, whereas the process involves tens of sub-contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Thus, introducing new mechanisms to facilitate trust will enhance collaboration between the CSC’s stakeholder to agree one single source of truth (SSoT). Thus, it is argued that, the integration of BIM and blockchain has the potential to respond to some of the issues discouraging the industry to use BIM as SSoT. Blockchain is a technology used in cases where stakeholders do not necessarily trust each other. This technology has the potential to reduce the “trust gap” by making data transactions independently verifiable among project stakeholders through robust cryptographic mechanisms. This paper discusses the potentials and limitations of integrating blockchain with BIM to enable a SSoT for construction projects through a structured review of previous studies. Blockchain has the potential to enhance the efficiency of compliance processes for BIM model by enabling the auditability and its transparency during CSC. Blockchain will add another dimension to what is possible when combined with BIM data for digital twin by enabling data integrity, reliability, and traceability. Compliance to regulatory requirements, and the complex system of blockchain technology to integrate with legacy enterprise system are the main barriers to motivate the CSC’s stakeholders to integrate blockchain with BIM. A proposed architecture for integration of blockchain with BIM is introduced in this paper. The findings provide the foundation for developing a methodology for integrating blockchain with BIM for further detailed empirical research.]]
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2019 International Conference on Innovation, Technology, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (ICITEE 2019), 24-25 November 2019, Kingdom of Bahrain
PublisherApplied Science University
Pages385-393
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9789995878191
Publication statusPublished - 2019
EventInternational Conference on Innovation_Technology_Enterprise and Entrepreneurship -
Duration: 24 Nov 2019 → …

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Innovation_Technology_Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Period24/11/19 → …

Keywords

  • construction industry
  • business logistics
  • data processing
  • blockchains (databases)

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