Rizzi, Dario (2025) Tools for sustainable design strategies: Optimization of integrated BIM-blockchain technologies and protocols for the application of minimum environmental criteria. PhD thesis, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Italy.
Abstract
The research project, funded under the PON "Research and Innovation" 2014-2020 program, explores the convergence between digital technologies and the construction sector, with a particular focus on data management through Building Information Modeling (BIM) and blockchain. This process falls within the scope of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," also referred to in the specialized literature as "Industry 4.0," addressing one of the most significant challenges of the digital era: the transformation of construction processes through the adoption of innovative methodologies, the project aims to optimize the management of existing built assets and develop new digital tools that facilitate the integration of emerging technologies. The construction sector, traditionally among the least digitized and least open to ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), is undergoing a transformation prompted by the need to increase productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Despite the possibility of adopting technological solutions, the construction sector remains significantly under-digitalized compared to other industrial fields. This is largely due to its fragmented, relatively impermeable nature, characterized by lengthy supply chains and a lack of standardized information. The use of new digital tools is now becoming essential in a context where projects and contracts are increasingly complex, demanding a level of coordination unattainable through traditional methods. The main objective of the research is to define a methodological framework that integrates, in a single workflow, the creation of BIM models and the management of information through blockchain, thereby optimizing the entire construction project life cycle. As suggested by recent studies in the AEC field, the adoption of digital platforms capable of transparently and collectively recording every phase of the process fosters increased efficiency and reduces the risk of errors. International institutions such as the European Construction Technology Platform underscore the need to enhance traceability and collaboration among various stakeholders, highlighting the importance of shared standards and procedures. From this perspective, the proposed framework relies on the integration of BIM tools, already acknowledged as key for design, and on the adoption of distributed ledgers (blockchain) to guarantee security, immutability, and transparency in data exchange. This synergy makes information management more reliable in terms of accountability and document validation. Looking ahead, combining these tools simplifies operational workflows and promotes greater sustainability, in line with the recommendations of the European Commission on circular economy and digital innovation. At the methodological level, the project involves the definition of shared protocols for structuring BIM data and the implementation of smart contracts on the blockchain, aimed at automating certain core procedures. This approach promises to create an integrated digital ecosystem in which all stakeholders can collaborate on a single platform, reducing costs and time while ensuring the transparency needed to certify the quality and sustainability of constructions. The project not only highlights the potential of digital technologies in renewing the construction sector but also provides practical insights on how to adapt to new digital tools. Initially, the research was based on a limited bibliography; however, recent years have witnessed a significant increase in publications, helping delineate the state of the art and identify the knowledge gaps that still need addressing. The results have been tested on various case studies, involving different building types and purposes, to ensure the continuity and progress of the research, further contributing to the development of procedures and the application of integrated digital tools.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Balzani, Marcello and Raco, Fabiana |
| Index terms: | platform, methodology, falls, validation, collaboration, data exchange, construction technology, data management, case study, digital technology, construction project, transparency, integration, construction process, smart contract, blockchain, coordination, guarantee, accountability, becoming, traceability, efficiency, state of the art, publication, building information modelling, strategy, implementation, fourth industrial revolution, emerging technology, synergy, transformation, workflow, life cycle, industry 4.0, built asset, sustainable design, construction sector, circular economy, program, productivity, information and communication technology |
| Subjects: | building construction, industry analysis, digital technology, digital engineering, partnership management, data exchange, computing systems, value management, research dissemination and communication, organizational analysis, data management, asset management, business, supplier oversight, research methods, philosophical process, production management, health risk and incident analysis, contract structure, software systems, design process, management, contractual arrangements, information systems, technology adoption, performance management, liability law, data collection methods, professional development, digital design, sustainable design, innovation and technology management |
| Topics: | Information Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Project Management, Quality Management, Design Practice, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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