Enhancing BIM security in emergency construction projects using lightweight blockchain-as-a-service

Area of Science:

• Construction Management
• Information Technology
• Cybersecurity

Background:

• Emergency construction projects (ECPs), such as mobile cabin hospitals (MCHs), face data security vulnerabilities due to unique design processes, leading to inefficiencies.
• Existing blockchain solutions are often impractical for ECPs due to complex deployment and limited Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a lightweight blockchain-as-a-service (LBaaS) prototype to enhance data security and collaboration in ECPs.
• To address the specific security flaws identified in the design process of MCHs.

Main Methods:

• Identification of security vulnerabilities in ECP design, using a Hong Kong MCH as a case study.
• Development of key technologies for LBaaS, including a Multi-to-One mapping (MtOM) kit, an integrated workflow, and smart contracts.
• Validation and evaluation of the LBaaS prototype using actual MCH project data.

Main Results:

• The LBaaS prototype effectively enhances the security and traceability of information exchange in ECPs.
• The developed technical elements facilitate easier deployment and usage of blockchain in construction projects.
• The prototype demonstrated feasibility and security for ECP collaboration.

Conclusions:

• The proposed LBaaS offers a practical and secure solution for improving design collaboration and efficiency in ECPs.
• This research provides valuable insights into data security challenges in ECPs and guidance for implementing blockchain solutions.
• The LBaaS approach can mitigate rework and project delays by ensuring data integrity and transparency.