Potential functionality and workability of blockchain within a building information modelling (BIM) environment
Journal of Facilities Management
ISSN: 1472-5967
Article publication date: 24 May 2022
Issue publication date: 22 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Although building information modelling (BIM) brings various benefits and open up the construction industry to many new possibilities, it is not without some challenges. Blockchain has the potential to resolve some of these problems. It has shown that blockchain and BIM can potentially work together in bringing various benefits to all project stakeholders. However, there is a lack of research and knowledge in relation to blockchain-based BIM. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to close this gap by looking into the potential functionality and workability of blockchain within a BIM environment.
Design/methodology/approach
A four-stage preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses systematic literature review technique has been used to review the blockchain- and BIM-related information sources published. A total of 53 journal articles, 13 books and 27 other resources including that of reports and websites have been included in this paper.
Findings
Blockchain-based BIM has countless possibilities, ranging from simple tasks such as tracking of orders to automation of construction payment claims. The literatures have suggested that the several weaknesses that BIM possesses including trust issue, asset ownership issue and data reliability issue could be resolved by incorporating blockchain into its processes.
Originality/value
Because of the lack of researches on the workability of blockchain and BIM, this paper aims to close this gap by proposing a framework for the interaction between blockchain and BIM for a typical building project. This paper has reviewed a substantial amount of currently available knowledge on blockchain-based BIM and its relevancy to the construction industry. This paper believes that the information could be of use to potential BIM tools maker and the construction industry for the betterment of BIM implementation throughout a project life cycle.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) grant reference FP055-2018A (FRGS/1/2018/SS03/UM/02/3).
Citation
Tan, J.H., Loo, S.-C., Zainon, N., Aziz, N.M. and Mohd Rahim, F.A. (2023), "Potential functionality and workability of blockchain within a building information modelling (BIM) environment", Journal of Facilities Management, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 490-510. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFM-10-2021-0131
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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