Construction inspection information management with consortium blockchain

Abstract

Blockchain can be regarded as a distributed database that records transaction data in a shared manner. This new technology is considered destructive and can transfer many data-driven industries, including construction. On the other hand, as one of the necessary measures to ensure quality, progress, and safety, construction inspection records still rely on paper. This leads to many problems, such as time-consuming, input errors, file loss, and even data manipulation. This research aims to develop a blockchain-based construction information management platform to expand blockchain applications in construction inspection management. First, conduct a literature review to explore blockchain technologies, types of blockchains, blockchain platforms, and existing construction inspection processes and issues. Based on the review, a method called design thinking is used to develop a blockchain prototype. As a result, a consortium blockchain prototype is developed to help inspection information management. The proposed solution can be tested and fine-tuned in future research. The study also discusses issues related to the current blockchain implementation, which provides numerous opportunities for further investigation. Not only limited to general discussions, one contribution of this research is the development of a configurable prototype so that construction stakeholders can follow and develop their blockchain-based solutions.