Framework for Blockchain-Enabled Building Information Modeling

Abstract

AbstractBuilding Information Modelling (BIM) is the core technology in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry technology. BIM is a kind of development open sharing environment, adding on the basis of 3D model in terms of time and cost, in data transmission, information while exchanging, achieve transparency, real-time, and refinement management to shorten the project schedule and improve the quality of the project quantity and economic benefits. However, BIM currently faces some problems, such as the ownership of the BIM data, who created the BIM model or the component in the BIM model, and when they were modified. The construction of buildings needs to rely on BIM model data and if we want to finally form a legally effective BIM database, we must know the source of the BIM data to ensure the security and traceability of the BIM data. Blockchain technology, assuring the immutability and provenance of data, can play an important role in the traceability of BIM data. The application of blockchain to BIM can solve these problems currently existing in BIM technology. This article establishes and proposes a framework for Blockchain-enabled BIM. By the blockchain technology, we can record the changes of the Bim model file and its core data after each modification. And all stakeholders on the blockchain can trace the BIM data to verify the reliability and ensure the safety.KeywordsBlockchainBuilding Information Modeling (BIM)Building life cycleArchitecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)Data traceability