Work

Incremental BIM-Based Collaborative Design Using IPFS and Blockchain

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Building information modeling (BIM)-based collaborative design can support sustainable construction, but current workflows often transmit complete models even when minor changes have been made and rely on centrally controlled records. This study proposes an incremental collaborative design framework that integrates a self-contained extension of the Tracing Semantic Differential Transaction (TSDT) method, hierarchical conflict detection, a permissioned blockchain ledger, and private IPFS storage. The framework formalizes a five-stage workflow and specifies the acceptance checks, incremental packet structure, conflict rules, and governance assumptions implemented in the prototype. In seven change scenarios, the improved TSDT packets reduced transmitted data volumes by 64.47% to 99.85% relative to the corresponding modified full models, with the largest savings observed for minor changes. The prototype also achieved low average on-chain latency and successful model reconstruction in a controlled single-server environment. These findings demonstrate the framework’s technical feasibility and its ability to support record-level traceability and integrity verification.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18126283

Authors: Ke Chen, Yihong Liu, Xuechen Shi, Gang Ren

Institution: Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: BIM and Construction Integration

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896