Distributed common data environment using blockchain and Interplanetary File System for secure BIM-based collaborative design

• Published in: Automation in construction Vol. 130; p. 103851
• Main Authors: Tao, Xingyu, Das, Moumita, Liu, Yuhan, Cheng, Jack C.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Blockchain; Building management systems; Collaboration; Collaborative BIM; Common data environment (CDE); Computer architecture; Cryptography; Cybersecurity; Data storage; Hyperledger fabric; Interplanetary File System (IPFS); Smart contract; Collaborative BIM; Smart contract; Interplanetary File System (IPFS); Common data environment (CDE); Blockchain; Hyperledger fabric
• ISSN: 0926-5805; 1872-7891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103851

Existing platforms for collaborative BIM design have a centralized system architecture, which suffers cybersecurity risks of design data manipulation and denial of access, leading to a loss of data traceability, a decline in design productivity, and project delays. Blockchain is a promising technology to solve such risks by providing decentralized and immutable data storage. However, integrating blockchain with BIM faces a problem that blockchain is inherently unsuitable for storing large-sized design files like BIM models, hindering blockchain from protecting BIM data integrity. Therefore, this paper proposes a distributed common data environment (DCDE) framework for BIM-based design leveraging two distributed technologies: blockchain and Interplanetary File System (IPFS). The DCDE framework guarantees irreversible design changes storage using blockchain while secures design file storage using IPFS. A blockchain transaction data model and a smart contract are also developed within the framework to support DCDE functionalities. Lastly, framework applicability and performance are tested in an illustrative design example. Results show that: (1) DCDE is a feasible solution for secure design collaboration, and (2) DCDE latency (in millisecond-level), TPS (60 transactions per second), and storage cost (12.5 KB per day) are within an acceptable range. •A distributed common data environment (DCDE) framework is proposed using blockchain and IPFS technologies.•An original transaction data model compliant with ISO 19650 standards is developed for recording design changes.•A smart contract algorithm is developed for design transactions sharing and querying.•The proposed DCDE framework is deployed in a design example to illustrate its feasibility and performance.•Results show that the proposed DCDE is a promising solution for secure decentralized design collaboration.