Wahab, A (2024) Integrating building information modeling (BIM) and blockchain technology in the pre-construction planning processes. PhD thesis, Mississippi State University, USA.
Abstract
Adopting new technologies is a relatively slow process in the construction industry due to the nature of activities involved in construction projects. However, with the current evolution in Information Technology (IT) and other computing technologies it is essential to incorporate them into the construction world to enhance and upgrade some critical activities to yield higher accuracy and productivity. The current literature provides a good overview of the construction industry's modern technology. Still, it lacks specific details about the factors that contribute the most in the two pre-construction processes, i.e., cost estimation and contracts. Therefore, this dissertation expands the current literature and provides a more detailed analysis of each factor affecting the pre-construction planning process. It investigates incorporating modern innovative technology in twoof the most critical aspects of the pre-construction processes, i.e., cost estimation and construction contracts. Currently, both aspects are mostly done using traditional manual or 2D(two-dimensional) approaches; however, this dissertation aims to integrate automated or 3D (three-dimensional) processes to ensure accuracy, enhance efficient stakeholders’ collaboration, upgrade the details, and reduce conflicts among project participants. This dissertation further identifies the factors in each pre-construction process to investigate how the contributing factors can be enhanced using innovative technology. For the cost estimation, the Building Information Modeling (BIM) 3D quantity takeoff (QTO) method has been introduced and compared with the manual or 2D process.Subsequently, smart contracts using blockchain technology (BCT) have been introduced for construction contracts to automate the current manual agreement process. A BCTSmContract model has been developed, which utilizes blockchain to define contractual obligations among stakeholders without centralized administrative authority. A comparison between manual and automated contracts was drawn to identify the significant differences. In addition, for both the pre-construction processes, i.e., cost estimation and construction contracts, case studies have been performed using construction projects to ensure the validity and reliability of the new techniques. The findings indicated that incorporating innovative technology in the pre-construction processes achieved significant benefits regarding accuracy, efficiency, collaboration, and reducing conflicts. This dissertation has contributed to upgrading the traditional methods by developing an automated system to enhance operations and achieve higher productivity.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Wang, J |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | accuracy; blockchain; reliability; building information modeling; collaboration; computing; conflicts; construction planning; cost estimation; information technology; productivity; case study; stakeholder |
| Index terms: | validity, productivity, pre-construction, case study, new technology, efficiency, planning process, building information modelling, construction planning, blockchain, construction industry, smart contract, dissertation, construction contract, upgrading, accuracy, cost estimating, information technology, computing, evolution, collaboration, construction project |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, computing systems, construction planning, project delivery, financial and cost management, management, performance management, professional development, project controls, industry analysis, information systems, strategic management, research dissemination and communication, evaluation and assessment methods, contract type, digital technology, environmental science, innovation and technology management, production management |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Quality Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here