BCRW 2023

Contents of the 4th Blockchain in Construction Research Workshop, hosted by Ruhr-University Bochum and Forum Digital Technologies Berlin in collaboration with the Construction Blockchain Consortium. The workshop took place from the 28th to the 30th of August 2023 in the Forum Digital Technologies building, Berlin, Germany and online. This workshop presented early and ongoing research in the field of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for the construction sector.

Day 1 - Blockchain & IoT (Technology)

Session 1

Workshop Host Keynote

Markus König | Watch

Keynote: Blockchain for Full Lifecycle Management: From Design, Construction, to Facility Management

Jack C.P. Cheng | Watch

Abstract

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Blockchain-as-BIM-service (BaBS): Secure and decentralized common data environment for BIM collaboration

Xingyu Tao | Watch

Abstract

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Optimizing Collaboration: A Management Framework for BIM and Blockchain Integration

Amer Hijazi | Watch

Abstract

Implementing blockchain technology in the construction industry's supply chain and asset management operations is made more likely by BIM, which is no longer arguable. Most currently available scholarly work has been on how this integration may occur, mainly through introducing the blockchain as a new tool allowing transparency transactions for BIM delivery without utilising it as technology innovation in leveraging a new way of working on going beyond stakeholders' coordination to stakeholders' collaboration. However, there is still a gap in how to put the blockchain application in motion for implementation, rather than offering only a conceptual framework or technical prototype that overlooks the value proposition of going digital via this integration. Subsequent to the prototyping, the early involvement of the stakeholders enables the integration logic. There are always new stakeholders to consider whenever a new technological paradigm is introduced. The difficulty would be figuring out what is needed for adoption and getting everyone involved on board (buy-in) to get the implementation process moving. Considering the above, this work aims to provide the foundation for integrating BIM and blockchain as a management solution for implementation in the form of a stakeholder's development stack defining the stakeholders, their roles and motivations. The proposed solution will be able to put the integration of BIM and blockchain in motion for implementation alongside its key disruption points. This serves as a catalyst that might enable a shift towards the progression of structured information towards machine-readable datasets (ideal platform).

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Decentralized common data environment

Klaudia Jaskula | Watch

Abstract

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Blockchain for regenerative built environment governance

Hongyang Wang | Watch

Abstract

This presentation focuses on the challenges and potential solutions for governance in the implementation of Blockchain for the regenerative built environment. The lack of effective governance systems is identified as a key obstacle in advancing the practical realization of regenerative concepts. To address this issue, in this presentation, I propose the use of Blockchain Technology as a governance tool to establish socio-economic-ecologic structures for information, complex systems processes, and inclusive ownership and value.

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Session 1: Discussion

Watch

Session 2

Keynote: Blockchain and IoT-enabled Supply Chain Management for Modular Integrated Construction (MiC): From a COVID-19 Expediency to a Post-Pandemic Common Practice

Wilson W.S. Lu | Watch

Abstract

The renaissance of modular/offsite construction has enabled us to re-config key construction resources such as labor, materials, and integrated modules from various geographically dispersed places. However, it also adds complications to the already-complex cross-border construction supply chain management (SCM). This situation was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many social distancing measures (e.g., border closures, working from home) have been imposed. Researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, and the like have been very resourceful to develop various innovations to overcome the difficulties and allow construction to serve as the ‘knight’ to recure economy during the difficult time. In this talk, Prof. Lu will share how blockchain, building information modelling (BIM), and i-core (their in-house developed IoTs) can be used to enhance construction SCM in the Hong Kong–Mainland China links during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their solutions and awarding winning technologies were implemented in real-life Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) projects for remote e-inspection, cross-border SCM, and on-site installation on a daily basis. They developed three professional apps, which can be used separately or as a whole based on the blockchain-BIM-IoTs-enabled digital twin system. Now the borders are re-opened and the businesses are back to usual, Prof. Lu pleas that the efficient and less expensive solutions should go beyond a COVID-19 expediency to a post-pandemic common practice for cross-border construction SCM.

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Keynote Presnetation + Focus Group: Considerations of Human Data Interaction for Blockchain in Construction

Jennifer Li | Watch

Abstract

This keynote presentation is a precursor to a focus group session that aims to explore the open challenges identified in a previous study on human data interaction (HDI) and blockchain. In the keynote, an introduction of the current concept of HDI is given, that is, the pace of technological advancement and the ubiquitous nature of computing are changing the interactions between humans and data. Informed consent remains a challenge so understanding more about how humans and data interact is paramount. HDI is, therefore, about manipulation and comprehension of big data sets, with a focus on personal data and their implications regarding decision-making and subsequent action-taking. Three pillars of HDI are presented as defined by Richard Mortier: agency, legibility and negotiability, then the outcomes of a focus group identifying considerations of HDI and blockchain are highlighted: technical factors (immutability, data storage, transparency, system design, integrating technologies); non-technical factors (ethics, economic models, environmental, political, social); and overlapping factors (governance, data usage, data privacy, control of data). The open challenges identified in a previous study are then to be explored in a focus group with the delegates of the BCRW 2023. They are as follows:

1. Does blockchain increase the level of HDI in construction? 
2. How does blockchain interact with HDI along the intersection of factors mentioned above? 
3. What data types (and the associated HDIs) are suitable for blockchain in the built environment? 
4. When we say HDI in construction, do we mostly refer to individuals or larger social groups? And what are the implications of that? 
5. Are we looking at how HDI could support the implementation of blockchain in construction? Or at HDI emanating from the usage of blockchain in construction? 
6. [How] Do we rethink data ownership with Web3?

Keywords Agency, Blockchain, Human-Data Interaction (HDI), Legibility, Negotiability.

Day 2 – Smart Contracts & DAO (Law and Management)

Session 3

Keynote: Insights of Blockchain in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Maximilian Austerjos | Watch

Abstract

Supply chain management in general and logistics in particular are predestined for the use of blockchain technology. By using blockchain technology, trust in partner companies, sustainable processes and productivity gains can be achieved, which are essential for sustainable development: Smart contracts enable automated and trusted information and financial transactions that improve the efficiency and resilience of supply chains. In addition, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors into the blockchain enables the collection and sharing of real-time data, leading to better monitoring and tracking of goods. However, for widespread technological penetration and the creation of productive blockchain networks, certain conditions must be met. This presentation will describe how blockchain technology has been successfully used in various application projects in the field of supply chain management. Using example projects from the areas of customs clearance, dangerous goods transport and robot cooperation, it will be shown how diverse blockchain-based solutions can be implemented with reusable software and hardware modules. In addition, the approach of collaborative development between research institutions and companies in open source communities is described in order to promote the development and implementation of these solutions and to produce commodities.

Keywords Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Open Source.

Web3 for Trustworthy Data in Transitioning to a Circular Built Environment

Meliha Honic and Jens Hunhevicz | Watch

Abstract

The urgency to transition from a linear to a circular economy has become increasingly apparent as the construction industry faces resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. However, data-related challenges hinder the adoption of circular business models. To enable a circular built environment, comprehensive data availability throughout the value chain is essential. Material passports, digital records containing vital information about materials and products embedded in buildings, play a crucial role in this transition. Nevertheless, the often siloed and centralized storage and management of material passport data pose risks of inaccessibility over time. This presentation will focus on the potential of Web3, the vision to decentralize the internet, to address these challenges. Web3 uses blockchain at its core to return data ownership to the end user. Combined with decentralized data storage protocols, the vision is to store data without relying on gatekeepers. Web3, with its decentralized nature, can offer promising solutions for establishing trust and integrity in data management. By using blockchain, a transparent and auditable system for recording and verifying material passport data can be created. In addition, Web3 could help create a new decentralized approach to data access and ownership with decentralized applications, reducing the risk of data loss by ensuring the accessibility of information to all stakeholders through address or token-based access mechanisms. Finally, crypto-economic incentive systems and market mechanisms based on smart contracts hold potential in fostering data sharing and maintenance throughout the data's life cycle. These mechanisms can incentivize stakeholders to contribute and update data, ensuring the ongoing availability and accuracy of material passport information. Overall, we aim to provide an overview of the opportunities that exist with Web3 in the context of the transition to a circular built environment based on our research at the CEA lab. To ensure the circularity of data in line with the circularity of products, we suggest that Web3 could help ensure the trustworthiness and accessibility of data throughout the value chain, while potentially creating incentives that enable the sharing and long-term maintenance of datasets.

Keywords Web3, Blockchain, Material Passports, Data Management.