Exploring applicability, interoperability and integrability of Blockchain-based digital twins for asset life cycle management

Abstract

PurposeThe blockchain-based digital twin has been recognized as a prominent technological ecosystem featuring synergies with both established and emergent information management practice. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability, interoperability and integrability of a blockchain-based digital twin for asset life cycle management and develop a model of framework which positions the digital twin within a broader context of current management practice and technological availability.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was performed to map use cases of digital twin, IoT, blockchain and smart contract technologies. Surveys of industry professionals and analyses were conducted focussing on the mapped use cases' life cycle–centric applicability, interoperability and integrability with current asset life cycle management practice, exploring decision support capabilities and industry insights. Lastly, a model of framework was developed based on the use case, interoperability and integrability findings.FindingsThe results support approaching digitization initiatives with blockchain-based digital twins and the positioning of the concept as both a strategic tool and a multifunctional on-field support application. Integrability enablers include progression towards BIM level 3, decentralized program hubs, modular cross-technological platform interfaces, as well as mergeable and scalable blockchains.Practical implicationsKnowledge of use cases help highlight the functionality of an integrated technological ecosystem and its connection to comprehensive sets of asset life cycle management aspects. Exploring integrability enablers contribute to the development of management practice and solution development as user expectations and technological prerequisites are interlinked.Originality/valueThe research explores asset life cycle management use cases, interoperability and integrability enablers of blockchain-based digital twins and positions the technological ecosystem within current practice and technological availability.

Blockchain use cases across entire lifecycle of a built asset: a review

“…Although blockchain is relatively new technology its innovative character has drawn the attention of many researchers around the world. There are already several literature review studies (Erri Pradeep et al, 2019;Götz et al, 2020;Hunhevicz and Hall, 2020;Kim et al, 2020;Kiu et al, 2020;Li et al, 2019;Nawari and Ravindran, 2019a;Perera et al, 2020;Turk and Klinc, 2017;Wang et al, 2017;Ye et al, 2018) and industry reports (Gerber and Nguyen, 2019;Kinnaird and Geipel, 2017;Penzes, 2018) about possible blockchain applications in AEC industry. In this paper we will classify blockchain applications from the above-mentioned literature by using meta-analysis method.…”

“…At its basic level a Digital Twin is a digital representation of a built asset and their processes. Integration of BIM, blockchain and IoT has the potential to turn Digital Twins to live and always updated source of information which may even operate autonomously through smart contracts (Götz et al, 2020). Another application which utilizes all three technologies is verification of activities and installation tasks on the construction site (Di Giuda et al, 2020).…”

“…Implementation of IoT sensors would enable automatic tracking and recording of operational status of the equipment such as electricity consumption, daily usage and abnormal breakout events (Wang et al, 2017). Götz et al (2020) identified many use cases of blockchain and smart contracts for O&M phase. Blockchain technology could be a solution for storing operational data and storing maintenance, access, and activity metadata.…”

Combining blockchain and BPMN coreographies for construction management

“…agreement in the adoption of this new technologies. Blockchains could be part of the solution for interlinking work processes, stakeholders and assets' life cycle phases (Götz et al, 2020).…”

Digital twin-based progress monitoring management model through reality capture to extended reality technologies (DRX)

“…Aheleroff et al, 2020;Al- Sehrawy & Kumar, 2020;Boje et al, 2020;Bosch-Sijtsema et al, 2021;Dawood et al, 2020;G€ otz et al, 2020;Lin and Golparvar- Fard, 2020;Me za et al, 2021;Pan and Zhang, 2021; Sommer et al, monitoring (Braun et al, 2020;Golparvar-Fard et al, 2009;Lin and Golparvar-Fard, 2020;Puri and Turkan, 2020; Rahimian et al, *** Note(s): ***ρ < 0.01…”